Is the Toyota Paseo RWD?
No — the Toyota Paseo is not rear-wheel drive. It is a front-wheel-drive subcompact two-door coupe produced in the 1990s by Toyota.
The question asks whether this small Toyota model used rear-wheel drive. The Paseo was designed as an accessible, front‑wheel‑drive car and shared its underpinnings with other front‑drive Toyota models of that era. There were no official rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive Paseo variants released for sale in major markets.
Drivetrain and layout
The Paseo’s core design places the engine at the front with power sent to the front wheels. This transverse layout is common for compact Toyotas of the period, prioritizing efficiency and interior space over rear-wheel drive handling characteristics.
Key facts about the drivetrain and layout:
- Layout: front-engine, front-wheel drive
- Drivetrain variants: no production rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive Paseo models
- Platform lineage: based on Toyota’s compact front-drive underpinnings (related to Starlet/Corolla families)
- Engine and transmission: small inline-four engine with transmission options typical of the era (manual and automatic offerings varied by market)
In short, the Paseo was designed as a front-wheel-drive car and did not offer any factory RWD configuration.
Platform and engineering context
Introduced in the early 1990s, the Paseo was marketed as an affordable, maneuverable two-seat coupe built on Toyota’s compact front-drive engineering. Its development emphasized light weight, fuel efficiency, and practical urban use, aligning with the front-wheel-drive layout rather than a rear-drive setup.
Market presence and lifecycle
Across regions, the Paseo was sold during the 1990s with variations in availability and trims. Across its lifecycle, the model remained front‑wheel drive, reinforcing Toyota’s strategy for economical, accessible coupes in that era.
Why this matters for enthusiasts
For drivers and collectors, knowing the Paseo’s drivetrain clarifies handling expectations and maintenance considerations. Front-wheel-drive cars from this period typically exhibit different weight distribution and handling traits than rear-wheel-drive peers, influencing everything from cornering feel to tire wear. There are no factory pathways to a rear-wheel-drive Paseo, so performance upgrades typically focus on suspension, tires, and driving technique rather than converting the drivetrain.
Summary
The Toyota Paseo is not rear-wheel drive. It is a front-wheel-drive, 1990s-era compact coupe that shared its engineering with other small Toyota front-drive models. Enthusiasts should expect front-wheel-drive handling characteristics and a design philosophy centered on practicality and efficiency, with no factory RWD variant offered.
Why was the Toyota Paseo discontinued?
The Paseo was discontinued in the US in late 1996 early in the 1997 model year due to slow sales. The second-generation Paseo was sold in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 1998, but was withdrawn due to slow sales.
Are there any RWD Toyotas?
Enjoy rear-wheel drive in your new Toyota
Just look at the Toyota 86 near Orlando. Its rear-wheel drive system is one of the features that make it such an exciting sports car.
Is the trueno AE86 fwd or rwd?
rear wheel drive
The AE86 (along with the lower spec 1,452 cc (1.5 L; 88.6 cu in) AE85 and 1,587 cc (1.6 L; 96.8 cu in) SR5 and DX versions) was rear wheel drive, built on the rear wheel drive E70 Corolla platform (same wheelbase length, interchangeable parts, etc.), unlike the front wheel drive E80 models in the same range.
Is the Toyota Tercel FWD or RWD?
front-wheel drive
The Tercel was the first front-wheel drive vehicle produced by Toyota, although it was the only front-wheel drive Toyota to have a longitudinally mounted engine. For example, the E80 series Corolla's frame (except AE85 and AE86) is similar to the L20 series Tercel's frame.
