Driving Impressions

This straightforward, honest little car acquits itself respectably in everyday driving. Thanks to its low curb weight, the Paseo's 1.5-liter twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine delivers surprisingly peppy acceleration, as well as very good fuel economy on good old unleaded regular. We liked the shift action of the manual five-speed transmission, which adds to the driving fun, but even with the optional four-speed automatic the car performs respectably compared to other small cars. ASC seems to have done its usual good work in creating this convertible for Toyota. Although its chassis isn't quite as rigid as the coupe, an inevitable consequence of removing the roof structure, it has the solid feel we've come to associate with Toyotas over the years. It also delivers respectable handling and a sporty but comfortable ride. This is another area where the Paseo's low weight pays high dividends. The less weight there is to shift back and forth, the quicker the response to driver commands. The combination of crisp steering and prompt responses in avoidance maneuvers gives the Paseo a lively feel that we found surprising. It's not a Miata, but it doesn't pretend to be; and, as we noted earlier, your insurance company won't think it's a Miata, either. Braking performance, from a front disc, rear drum system, is good--low curb weight paying yet another dividend--though we recommend popping the extra $550 for ABS, a good price for this important active safety feature.

Final Word

Toyota has earned a solid reputation for building serviceable cars that last. In 1996, J.D. Power included the Paseo in the top five of the "Best Sporty Car" category in its Initial Quality Study. That's a high tribute for a subcompact car, and it means you can expect your Paseo to keep delivering fun over the long haul. We promise we won't tell your insurance agent.