Is Toyota Celica FWD or RWD?
The Celica’s drivetrain varies by generation. Early models were rear-wheel drive (RWD); most later models use front-wheel drive (FWD), and there were high-performance all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants known as the Celica GT-Four in several generations.
To understand the answer, it helps to trace how the Celica’s layout evolved from its original sports coupe design into a front-drive platform, and to identify the limited AWD versions that kept the Celica competitive as a performance option into the 1990s.
Drivetrain evolution by era
The Celica’s drivetrain layout changed across its seven generations. Here is a concise guide to where RWD and FWD dominated, and when AWD appeared.
- First generation (1970–1977): Rear-wheel drive (RWD) throughout.
- Second generation (1978–1981): Rear-wheel drive (RWD) throughout.
- Third generation (1981–1985): Primarily rear-wheel drive (RWD) for standard models.
- Fourth generation (mid-1980s): Front-wheel drive (FWD) became standard for non-performance models; an all-wheel-drive variant, the Celica GT-Four (ST165), debuted in 1986.
- Fifth generation (late 1980s to early 1990s): Continued FWD as the norm; the GT-Four line expanded in select markets with AWD variants like the ST185.
- Sixth generation (mid-1990s): Base Celicas were FWD; AWD remained available only on GT-Four variants, notably the ST185/ST205 lineage.
- Seventh generation (1999–2006): The line moved to front-wheel drive for all models; there was no factory AWD Celica after this generation.
Ambitions for performance could still be fulfilled via the Celica GT-Four models, which offered turbocharged power and all-wheel drive, a path that distinguished them from the standard Celica lineup.
Notable all-wheel-drive (GT-Four) variants
Among the Celica family, the GT-Four line represents Toyota’s AWD performance category. Here are the best-known models that carried the AWD badge.
- ST165 Celica GT-Four (1986–1989): First-generation GT-Four with AWD and turbocharged power.
- ST185 Celica GT-Four (1989–1994): Expanded AWD and turbo performance across multiple markets.
- ST205 Celica GT-Four (1994–1999): The final-generation GT-Four with advanced AWD and turbo setup before the Celica’s discontinuation.
These AWD variants are rare and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and they defined the high-performance edge of the Celica lineup during their respective eras.
Implications for buyers and enthusiasts
Understanding the drivetrain helps buyers assess parts availability, maintenance demands, and driving characteristics. If you want AWD, look for GT-Four badges and the ST165/ST185/ST205 codes. If you want classic handling, earlier RWD models offer a traditional Celica driving feel. The seventh-generation cars are front-wheel drive, focusing more on nimble handling than all-wheel-drive performance.
Summary
The Toyota Celica’s drivetrain history is a tale of evolution. Early models were RWD; from the mid-1980s onward, FWD became standard for most Celicas, while a dedicated AWD GT-Four line (ST165, ST185, ST205) offered performance-focused variants. The final generation (1999–2006) returned to FWD across the board, marking the end of the Celica’s all-wheel-drive era. Today, collectors seek out the classic GT-Four models for their AWD turbo glory, while standard Celicas from later years are valued for their nimble FWD dynamics.
