Toyota model codes

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Every Toyota vehicle has a model code which describes the basic vehicle (e.g. Corolla), its generation and major options (engine type, gearbox type, body style, grade level). The model codes fall into three periods, 1937 to late 1950s, late 1950s to late 1970s and late 1970s to present. There was some overlap as new models were phased in using new codes while old models were phased out using the old codes. The model code is not the same as the VIN.

Contents

1937 to 1956

Each model was known by its engine code and a single letter for the chassis/body.

Examples:

CodeEngineBody
AA A type1936-43 sedan
AB A type1936-43 cabriolet
AC A type1943–1948 sedan
SA S type1947–1952 sedan
BJ B type1953–1955 Jeep (later renamed as the Land Cruiser)
FJF type1954–1955 Jeep (later renamed as the Land Cruiser)
RH R type1953–1955 sedan
RR R type1955–1956 Master sedan
RS R type1955–1958 Crown sedan

1956 to 1977

Each model was known by its engine code, chassis code, one or two digits for its generation, a single digit for variations within the generation and more letters representing options. [1]

engine familyplatformgenerationvariationsteering-options
TE21L-CAFD

Engine family:

FF
K3K-C, ...
M2M, 4M, ...
R3R-C, 8R-C, 18R-C, ...
T2T-C, ...

Platform:

CodeMeaning
E Corolla
A Celica
J Land Cruiser
N Pickup truck (aka Hilux)
P Toyota 1000
S Crown
T Corona
X Mark II

Steering:

CodeMeaning
blankRHD
LLHD
RRHD

Options:

CodeMeaning
AUSA or Canada
C2-speed automatic
DDeluxe
GFold down tailgate
F4-door
H3-speed automatic (A30) with floor shift
J3-speed automatic (A40)
K4-speed manual with floor shift
M5-speed manual with floor shift
N3-speed automatic (A30) with column shift
VStation wagon (on some models)

1977 to present

The new code was similar to the previous but now the options were grouped into specific columns. [2]

engine familysuffix of engine family or prefix of platform or combination (optional)platformgenerationvariationsteeringwagon
(optional)
-model name
(optional)
body typetransmissiongradeengine classmarket
MS123L-SEMGFW

Engine family:

A2A, 4A, ...
C1C, 2C, ...
FF, ...
HHZ,...
K4K, ...
LL, 2L, ...
M5M, ...
R21R, 22R, ...
S1S, 2S, ...
T2T, 3T, ...
Y1Y, 2Y, 3Y, ...

Platform and model name:

PlatformModel name
A Carina (RWD), Celica (RWD), Supra
B Coaster
D Blizzard
E Corolla/Sprinter/Levin
F Kijang/Tamaraw/Unser/Zace/Qualis
G Crown Eight/Century
H HiAce
J Land Cruiser
K Stout
L Tercel/Corolla II/Corsa/Soluna
M LiteAce
N Pickup truck (aka Hilux)
P Starlet
R Model F (aka Tarago, Van, Space Cruiser)
S Crown
T Corona/Carina (FWD/AWD)/Celica (FWD/AWD)/Curren/Caldina
U Dyna
V Camry/Scepter/Vista/Vienta/Aurion
X Mark II/Chaser/Cresta/Cressida/Verossa/Mark X
Y ToyoAce
Z Soarer/Lexus SC/LC

Steering:

CodeMeaning
blankRHD
RRHD
LLHD

Wagon:

CodeMeaning
blanknot wagon or van
Gwagon or Van

Model name:

Body type:

CodePassenger vehicleCommercial vehicle
Ccoupe
D2-door sedandouble cab
E4-door sedan
G3-door hatchbackwagon
H5-door hatchback
LLiftback
PPickup
S2-door hardtopsofttop
T4-door hardtop
V2-door vanvan hardtop
W4-door wagon
X4-door van
Y2-door blind van
Z2-door wagon

Transmission:

CodeMeaning
J4-speed manual, column shift
B4-speed manual, column shift
K4-speed manual, floor shift
M5-speed manual, floor shift
F6-speed manual, floor shift
C2-speed automatic
H3-speed automatic
S4-speed automatic, column shift
P4-speed automatic, floor shift
XCVT automatic, floor shift

Grade:

Engine class:

CodeMeaning
blankstandard engine with single carburettor
Sstandard engine with single carburettor
Btwin carburettors
EEFI
Gtwin cam
Ftwin cam, EFI
Cemission control
Xdiesel turbo

Market:

CodeMeaning
blankgeneral countries
AUSA
CSwitzerland, Sweden
DIndonesia
KCanada
NSouth Africa
QAustralia
VMiddle East
WEurope

See also

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References

  1. 1968–1973 Model Specifications. USA: Toyota. 1973. p. 2. 00402-01632, 0573.
  2. Toyota Vehicle Identification Manual. Toyota. 97911-79.