 Toyota MR2 Roadstera sporty interior
Only eagle-eyed readers will spot that both front and rear lights have been restyled. The front bumper has also been revised to look sportier, while the interior gets chrome detailing, but still feels plasticky and lacks storage. The mechanical changes are equally subtle, and make the Toyota safer and more fun. Bigger tyres and suspension tweaks combine with standard vehicle stability and traction control, as well as Brake Assist, which all helps improve safety.The trade-off is an even firmer ride, which can be irritating on long journeys. One improvement to cruising is the addition of a sixth gear to the excellent SMT sequential gearbox to reduce revs at speed. The system does slow the Toyota down, but the car feels much quicker than the 9.3 second 0-60mph sprint time suggests. With a manual six-speed box, the MR2 costs £16,995 - £135 cheaper than before - and the SMT version is £18,495. But add the removable hard-top and air-con package and that total rockets to £20,895, pitching the car between Mazda's practical MX-5 and Lotus's focused Elise. On the road
Performance
The MR2’s pace puts it comfortably ahead of other roadster rivals in this price range. You need to keep the revs high to get the best from the engine, but this is no problem thanks to the slick six-speed manual gearbox. That said, the motor is flexible enough for everyday driving. Ride & handling
Mid-way through its life the MR2’s suspension was tweaked to improve handling, a limited-slip differential was added and larger rear tyres fitted, all of which have made it far less prone to tail-slides in treacherous conditions. Ride refinement on the motorway is also better than before. Refinement
When you can go topless, you’ll be impressed by the MR2. Its low-slung driving position gives good protection from the elements. What’s more, although more engine and road noise filters into the cabin than in a hatchback, it’s quite bearable. That said, there’s still some evidence of the shake that open-top cars are prone to.
Ownership
Buying & owning
The MR2 promises a good return on your investment after three years and 36,000 miles, and its contract hire rates and cost-per-mile figures are easily on a par with those of its rivals. Insurance premiums and servicing costs are also good, while an average fuel economy in the high 30s mpg is one of the best in the class. Quality & reliability
The glass rear screen is a plus point, and the interior is well put together. But we wish Toyota had used better plastics inside, so the sharp looks outside were matched by an equally stylish interior. However, we expect this roadster to follow its coupé predecessor and prove very reliable. Safety & security
Twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard. Side airbags are not an option, and traction control comes only with the SMT sequential ’box. For security, it’s great to see deadlocks included, although they didn’t manage to keep our security testers out.
In the cabin
Behind the wheel
Toyota has made a clear effort to give the MR2 a sporty interior. There’s bright silver detailing throughout the cabin, the comfortable bucket seats grip the driver firmly, and even the dials are arranged in a sporty style, with the rev counter, rather than the speedo, as the central feature. The only complaint is that the radio buttons are fiddly. Space & practicality
Although no-one buys a two-seat roadster with thoughts of practicality uppermost in their minds, the Toyota still disappoints. Because of the rear-engine layout, it has no boot at all. Luggage must be distributed between a small space under the bonnet, two lidded stowage bins behind the seats and a cubby on top of the dash. Equipment
Not the stripped-out specification you might expect from a sports car. You get alloy wheels, a CD player and electric windows. What’s more, the rear screen is glass and heated. Air-conditioning is a £900 extra, however. Other options include leather and a very effective sequential gearbox. |
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