When did they stop making Toyota Paseo?
The Toyota Paseo was discontinued after the 1999 model year in most markets.
The Paseo was a compact two-door coupe produced by Toyota during the 1990s. It sat on a Tercel-based platform and was aimed at buyers seeking sportier styling in a small, affordable package. Its lifecycle spanned the middle of the decade, ending as Toyota shifted emphasis to newer subcompact models.
Timeline: Two generations in the 1990s
Two generations of the Paseo were produced, with the second generation bringing a refreshed design and updated features. Here is a concise timeline to illustrate the progression.
- First generation: introduced in the early 1990s and produced through the mid-1990s, building the Paseo's early sporty-n-small-car identity.
- Second generation: introduced in the mid-to-late 1990s and continued until the end of production in 1999, featuring styling and mechanical updates.
In broad terms, the Paseo's production lasted throughout the 1990s and culminated with the 1999 model year.
End dates by market
End-of-production timing varied slightly by region, but the overall conclusion fell around 1999 in most markets.
- United States and Canada: final model year was 1999.
- Other regions: ended around the same period, with local sales aligning to the late 1990s cycle.
- What followed: Toyota redirected small-car buyers to newer offerings such as the Echo in North America and the broader Yaris family in other markets.
Across markets, the Paseo was phased out by the end of the decade, making way for Toyota’s next generation of subcompact models.
What replaced the Paseo
As Toyota moved away from the Paseo’s two-door coupe format, it leaned on newer compact hatchbacks and subcompact models to fill the gap.
- Echo: Introduced in North America around 2000 as the immediate successor in the small-car segment, later evolving into the Yaris nameplate in many markets.
- Yaris and related platforms: In global markets, the Yaris (and its variants) became the primary replacement for the Paseo, offering improved efficiency, safety, and modern design.
The shift to Echo/Yaris and related models reflected Toyota’s broader strategy to consolidate small-car offerings under more uniform platforms with updated technology.
Summary
The Toyota Paseo ceased production in 1999, with the United States and Canada typically showing the final model year as 1999. Across regions, it gave way to newer subcompact offerings—the Echo in North America and the Yaris family in other markets—ending a notable chapter in 1990s Toyota styling and small-car engineering. Today, Paseos remain a collectible reminder of a distinctive era in compact-coupe styling.
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.
How many generations of Paseo are there?
Introduced here in the states back in 1991, Paseo went through two generations, the second beginning in 1995 and ending in 1997, the year you own. The convertible is rare, as it was introduced in that final year of 1997.
What are common problems with paseos?
Top Toyota Paseo Problems
- Automatic Transmission May Not Shift Correctly at High Mileages.
- Engine Problems Due to Pickup/Iginition Coil Failure Inside Distributor.
- Throttle Position Sensor Out of Adjustment Due to Wear/Carbon Build-up.
- Worn Shift Bushings Will Cause Manual Transmission to Pop Out of Gear.
How much is a 1992 Toyota Paseo worth?
The value of a used 1992 Toyota Paseo ranges from $896 to $3,754, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.
