Toyota Altezza 1998-2005 used car review

The Toyota Altezza is a premium sports sedan - and great to drive. Finding an unmodified one has become tricky.

The Toyota Altezza is offered for only one generation. In markets outside of Japan, it was sold as the Lexus IS200. All models were rear-wheel drive, except for some Gita wagon models which are rear-wheel drive. The Altezza is popular with performance car enthusiasts as they are relatively easy to modify for additional performance.

The interior has a dark, sporty, premium feel – in line with its role as a Lexus model. The dashboard instruments are a unique feature, with a small pod housing a large central speedometer with smaller gauges set in it and either side of it. This is meant to follow the style of a high-end watch. The steering wheel has a sporty shape and is wrapped in leather. 

High on the centre of the dash is a screen for the navigation system – which will not work in NZ. Below this are dials for the late control air-conditioning and six-disc CD changer stereo – which will require a band expander to receive local stations.

Another sporty touch is the transmission shifter, which is a chrome ball on both manual and automatic models. The pedals are also a drilled aluminium design.

The seats are very comfortable, soft – yet with large bolsters top and bottom for extra support. The rear seat offers good headroom and sufficient legroom. They are very sculpted, wrapping around the window seats – which means while there is room for a third passenger they may find the position uncomfortable.

The Altezza’s boot is slightly smaller than other sedans of this size at 400 litres – enough for three medium suitcases. The rear seat does not fold forward for additional capacity, although there is a ski hatch for long, narrow items.

Aftermarket turbocharger kits have been fitted to some models, while larger engines have been swapped into the sedans.

The 2-litre six-cylinder engine in the review car produces 114kW and 195Nm – not a lot for an engine of this size. It is, however, delivered at low engine RPM and is very smooth. The four-speed automatic makes smart shifts. It is also very smooth and can be shifted into a power mode. Traction control reduces the chance of wheelspin. The brakes perform well.

The Altezza is notable for how well it steers and handles. The steering wheel feels well weighted and responsive, and while the ride is firm, it is still comfortable.

Parking sensors and cameras were not fitted as standard to any Altezza – though they are fitted as accessories to some vehicles. Visibility is OK forward and to the side, though the raised tail reduces rearward visibility. If you need a reversing camera, you can buy a unit to fit yourself from $50 or have a professional do it for $200.

We could not find an official tow rating for the Altezza. Aftermarket towing options are available rated at up to 1,500kg braked (a small-to-medium trailer boat).

Like any automatic gearbox of this era, check for smooth operation with no suspicious clunks when engaging Drive, along with progressive gear change intervals and no sign of slipping.

Examples that have been driven hard may exhibit “diff shunt” with sloppiness in the rear differential crown wheel to spider gears a cause, or worn propeller shaft universal joints. Drive at slow speed speeding up and slowing down, listening for thumps from the rear of the vehicle.

The Altezza is known to be hard on front ball joints, which can cause a loose feel and clunks in the front of the vehicle. It is not necessarily expensive to fix, though may indicate a worn-out car.

The plastic radiator top tanks, after 20 years on the road, will likely show signs of perishing, cracking and pressure failure. That’s especially around high-stress points, including the filler cap and hose extrusions. Have a look for any signs of previous overheating or water loss.

Check for any service history on the car. The Altezza range is not particularly forgiving of a lack of maintenance, especially with oil sludge build-up and old, worn spark plugs. Regular oil changes and a good-quality set of iridium spark plugs can make all the difference to how the vehicle drives.

This review covers the Toyota Altezza for model years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.

*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.