All owner reviews about Toyota Sprinter VII (E100)

3042 Apr 20

A special feature of the station wagon body is that its luggage compartment is connected to the passenger compartment, and the roof of the car is extended to the rear clearance. It represents the golden mean between a hatchback and a sedan, standing out against their background with a large luggage compartment. Like any self-respecting manufacturer, the Japanese concern also launched the production of the legendary Corolla in this body. The Toyota Corolla station wagon appeared in the model line back in 1982 and over the 25 years of its existence has undergone significant changes in both appearance and technical parameters.

The history of the creation of the Toyota Sprinter

The history of the car begins in 1986, when Toyota began mass production of the sprinter model. The first generation was produced until 1970 and was not adapted for sales in other countries, but was used within Japan.

The first and second generation models used a platform based on the Toyota Corolla, then in the next generations significant changes were made to the design. Until 1983, only rear-wheel drive cars were produced. Since 1983, taking into account global trends in the development of the car market, the company began to produce front-wheel drive cars, and this was the fifth generation of the Sprinter model.

Toyota Sprinter car

Since 1984, the company began to actively cooperate with American manufacturers, in particular with General Motors. This led to the emergence of new models based on the Toyota Sprinter, created with the help of the NUMMI subsidiary.

4A-FE (4A-GE)

In parallel with the S-series power plants, A-motors were produced, the most popular among which was the small-volume 4A unit, produced in various modifications.

As the 4A was improved, which initially was nothing special and was the most ordinary single-shaft low-power carburetor engine, it received a fuel injection system in the 4A-FE version for Ceres/Marino.

4A-GE - a traditional high-power power unit, developed in collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha, and dating back to the American Formula Atlantic, was equipped with a 20-valve cylinder head and MPFI injection.

Under the 4A-GE head were installed: camshafts with a high cam profile, characterized by more rigid operation due to the increased height; modified intake and new piston group.

Blackhead 4A-GE under the hood of a 1993 Ceres

Toyota Sprinter car engines

Depending on the year of manufacture and configuration, engines of different power and fuel used were installed on cars. A summary table of engines of some models, starting from the fifth generation, is presented in the table.

During the production process, many engines were modernized, resulting in increased power. Therefore, the table shows different parameter values ​​for one type of engine.

Technical specifications

And although the Corolla station wagon is slightly inferior in acceleration parameters to the sedan and hatchback (acceleration to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds), its engine is reliable and operates efficiently at any speed. Optimal suspension qualities complement the driving characteristics - the car has excellent maneuverability and no skidding when cornering.

Engine displacements installed on station wagons start at 1.4–1.5 liters and can reach 2.0 liters. There are both petrol and diesel variations in the range. The kit can be either manual or automatic; versions with a CVT transmission are not provided. All engines are characterized by economical fuel consumption, and taking into account the volume of the tank, when fully loaded, you can travel a fairly impressive distance without refueling.

Most used engines

The Toyota Sprinter was equipped with 4A series engines. All modifications of these engines, namely 4A-FE and 4A-GE, are considered the most reliable in operation. The first models were of low power and had a carburetor unit. The piston head housed 8 valves, which were driven by a single camshaft.

Engine 4A-FE

In the process of modernizing the series, the number of valves increased to 16, and then 20, and two camshafts were already needed to control them. The design of the piston group has changed, and an electronic fuel injection system has been introduced.

All these changes allowed the 4A series engine to remain firmly at the top of the ranking of the most popular and reliable engines at the end of the 20th century.

Since 1987, Toyota has been producing new internal combustion engines of the 5A series. Consistently, 3 varieties of the 5A engine were put into production at once: 5A-F, 5A-FE, 5A-FHE, and the last 2 series were installed on Toyota Sprinter cars. Engine production in Japan continued until 1999.

A feature of the 5A-FE engine was the presence of 2 camshafts at once, each of which controlled its own row of valves according to the so-called DOHC scheme. This scheme provided for the installation of 4 valves, and its use in engines contributed to an increase in power.

Engine 5A-FE

The engine received the highest ratings for reliability and trouble-free operation among motorists. There were no problems with the supply of spare parts for repairs. The design of the motor turned out to be so successful that they are still manufactured by a joint Japanese-Chinese company.

Diesel engines of the 1C, 2C, and 3C series were also installed on the Toyota Sprinter. Unfortunately, this model was not entirely successful; there were minor flaws. But despite this, the engine was considered popular and more widely used than engines from well-known European brands.

Even during the release of the first series of 1C motors, the following shortcomings were identified during operation:

1. Loss of compression in cylinders 3 and 4.
2. Leaking air tubes between the filter and the air manifold.

With subsequent engine upgrades, this drawback remained in the new 2C and 3C models.

True, if you carry out engine maintenance in a timely manner, these defects will not occur.

G type

The maximum level package, which came with a 1.6-liter twenty-valve naturally aspirated engine 4A-GE (160 hp at 7400 rpm; 162 Nm at 5200 rpm), equipped with a VVT system.

In 1995, Ceres/Marino faced major design changes.

Two engines, gearboxes, suspension elements and much more were modified. The F-type began to be equipped with the same 5A-FE unit, but with less power, but more torque (100 hp at 5600 rpm and 142 Nm at 4400 rpm). The G-type was equipped with a modified version of the 4A-GE 20V engine (165 hp at 7800 rpm and 162 Nm at 5600 rpm).

In 1997, the latest improvements were made to the Ceres/Marino design. Finally, it was time to modify the mid-level configuration and its engine. ICE 4A-FE, which, like 5A-FE, has become slightly weaker in power and speed (110 hp at 5800 rpm and 149 Nm at 4600 rpm).

From mid-1997, serial production of the much-loved Ceres/Marino car began to gradually wind down and a year later it was finally discontinued.

Sprinter Marino restyling 1994

What cars were Toyota Sprinter engines installed on?

The engines that were installed on the Toyota Sprinter were widely used to power other models of the company. Gasoline engines of the 4A and 5A series are most widely used.

Toyota Carina 1984 with 4A engine

The following cars were equipped with 4A series engines:

• Various modifications of the Toyota Carina, from 1984 to 1997. The engines were installed on cars produced both in Japan and in other countries.
• Toyota Corolla cars, from 1992 to 2002.
• Toyota Corona cars, from 1988 to 2001.
• And cars manufactured in other countries; Toyota Avensis and Geo Prizm.

Series 5A engines were also installed on various company models until 2001. And on the Vios car, which was produced in China, 4A series engines were installed until 2006.

The following models were equipped with 3C-E diesel engines:

• Caldina
• Corolla
• Lite/Town

Despite the fact that these engines have a very strange reputation for illogical failures, cars with such engines are generally used successfully in many countries around the world.

5A-FE

An analogue of the 4A power units is the 5A engine with a volume of 1500 cc. cm received a cylinder diameter reduced to 78.7 mm, otherwise it was still the same 4A-FE, with all its advantages and characteristic malfunctions.

5A-FE is the most common civilian unit; no sports versions have been developed based on it. Production of the 1987 engine was completed in 2006, but even today some Chinese cars are equipped with it.

5A-FE in the engine compartment of Sprinter Marino

Which engine is better to choose a Toyota Sprinter car with?

Despite the fact that the production of cars was discontinued in 2000, you can still buy a car in good condition on the Russian markets, and even one that does not require repairs.

One of the best engines is considered to be the 4A-FE series motor, which was produced from 1987 to 1998. According to reviews from car enthusiasts, this is an economical and reliable engine with no defects due to design flaws. The service life before major repairs is 250,000-300,000 km, but this depends on operating conditions.

1998 Toyota Sprinter

During a major overhaul, it is necessary to replace the valve stem seals and piston rings. After such repairs, the engine will work like new for a long time. Therefore, if you want to buy a Toyota Sprinter, then look for it with a 4A-FE engine and you will not experience problems with the engine for a long time.

Maximum interior space

As in the original versions (1998–2000), the interior space allows five adults to comfortably accommodate each other. Excellent visibility due to large windows at the rear, but some limitation for the front passenger (due to the front windshield pillars).

The luggage compartment when unfolded is 402 liters of volume, and when the rear row of seats is folded, the capacity increases to almost 1500 liters.

With such a large trunk volume, the 2000 Toyota Corolla can be used for a short move or a long trip, like versions of all other model years, loading it with things to the maximum.

Starting from the eighth generation (after 1998), station wagons are distinguished by decent interior options, even in the poorest trim levels: comfortable seats with adjustment functions, climate control, pleasant-to-touch seat trim, high-quality plastic.