Is the Mark 2 Grande rear-wheel drive?
Yes. The Mark II Grande is rear-wheel drive in its standard configuration, with rare all-wheel-drive variants appearing in some markets or years.
The Mark II Grande refers to the luxury-oriented trim of Toyota’s Mark II sedan family, most commonly associated with the late 1990s X100 generation. It shares its platform with related models like the Chaser and Cresta, and its drivetrain is traditionally rear-wheel drive to deliver a balanced, sportier driving experience. While RWD is standard, there are occasional all-wheel-drive offerings in certain markets or special editions, though these are not typical for the Grande trim.
Drivetrain configuration across generations
The following points summarize how the Mark II Grande’s drivetrain has been configured across its generations and markets.
- Standard configuration: rear-wheel drive, which is the hallmark of the Mark II family and its sport-luxury character.
- All-wheel drive variants: rare in the Mark II lineup; some markets and special editions offered AWD on certain Mark II/Chaser variants, but these were not the norm for the Grande trim.
- Transmission options: depending on year and market, the Grande could come with automatic or manual transmissions, with automatics more common in luxury-focused configurations.
- Market variations: Japanese-market examples and export versions can differ in drivetrain labeling and availability; verify the exact vehicle’s paperwork for a given car.
In short, the Mark II Grande is predominantly rear-wheel drive, with only limited, non-standard AWD configurations appearing in some contexts. Always verify the drivetrain on a specific vehicle you’re considering.
What to check when shopping for a used Mark II Grande
Because the Mark II Grande spans generations and markets, it helps to know what to look for to confirm the drivetrain and overall condition.
- Look for AWD badges or a visible transfer-case indicator that would signal all-wheel drive.
- Check the VIN/build sheet to confirm the drivetrain specification for that exact vehicle.
- Inspect drivetrain components for wear: driveshafts, differential, and suspension wear can indicate the vehicle’s use and history.
- Review the maintenance history for the engine family common to the Grande (typically inline-six engines such as the turbocharged options used in performance variants).
- Take a test drive to evaluate torque delivery and handling characteristics indicative of RWD versus AWD setups.
Understanding the drivetrain specifics helps ensure you’re evaluating the right Mark II Grande variant and avoids confusion with other Mark II/Chaser models that may have different drivetrains.
Common engines in Mark II Grande models
The Grande trim often shares the same engine family used across the Mark II lineup, including turbocharged inline-sixes in performance-focused versions. Engine availability varies by year and market; verify the exact engine code (for example, 1JZ-GTE in turbo models) on the engine or documentation when evaluating a specific car.
Summary
The Mark II Grande is, by default, a rear-wheel-drive sedan. While all-wheel-drive variants exist in some markets or non-Grande Mark II configurations, they are not the standard for the Grande trim. If you’re researching or purchasing a used Mark II Grande, confirm the drivetrain with the vehicle’s paperwork or VIN, and consider the typical maintenance needs of the inline-six engine family associated with these cars. The Grande remains a classic late-1990s/early-2000s Japanese luxury-sport sedan with a predominantly rear-drive setup.
Is the Mark 2 FWD or RWD?
The Mark II Blit marked the return to the Mark II platform with rear-wheel drive layout with optional four-wheel drive and not a wagon version of the front-wheel drive Camry.
Was the Toyota MR2 RWD?
It was the first Japanese rear-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive production car and was sold around the world.
Does Toyota have any RWD cars?
A list of Toyota rear wheel drive vehicles in the US: Toyota Sequoia Toyota Cressida Toyota FJ Cruiser Toyota MR2 Spyder Toyota Previa Toyota Scion FR-S Toyota Supra Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tundra Toyota 4Runner Toyota Celica Toyota Corolla Toyota Corona Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser Toyota FJ Cruiser 2WD Toyota MR2 Toyota ...
Is Mark II Grande rear-wheel drive?
The suspension setup uses a double wishbone with coil springs at the front and leaf springs at the back with a front-engine, rear-drive powertrain format.
