What year is Toyota Carina 2?
The Toyota Carina II was produced from 1981 to 1988.
Overview
The Carina II is the second generation of Toyota's mid-size Carina lineup, launched in the early 1980s to offer practicality, reliability, and solid value. Its design and specifications varied by market, with several body styles and equipment levels tailored to regional preferences.
Production years by market
Because Toyota released different trims and body styles depending on the region, the exact production window could vary. The following points summarize typical timelines and regional differences:
- The core second-generation Carina II was introduced in 1981 and remained in production in many markets through 1988.
- Body styles included a traditional four-door sedan, with wagon or hatchback variants available in select markets.
- Markets such as Japan, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia commonly received the Carina II during the 1981–1988 period, with variations by trim and specification.
Across regions, the Carina II's production eventually gave way to newer generations as Toyota rolled out updated designs in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Design and features
The Carina II carried the boxy, practical styling typical of its era, emphasizing interior space and ease of use. It offered a range of engines and transmissions to suit different markets, with the sedan being the primary body style and wagon variants appearing in some regions.
Legacy and successor
In most markets, the Carina II was succeeded by the Carina E or its local equivalent in the late 1980s and early 1990s, signaling Toyota's shift to newer platforms and styling cues while keeping the Carina name in circulation for several more years.
Summary
The Toyota Carina II represents the second generation of Toyota's mid-size Carina line, produced roughly from 1981 through 1988. While regional variations affected exactly which trunks, bodies, and trims were available, the model played a key role for Toyota in the mid-1980s as the brand refined its approach to practical, reliable family cars. It paved the way for the next generation and the evolution of Toyota's mid-size sedan lineup.
