Toyota model codes
Every Toyota vehicle has a model code which describes the basic vehicle, its generation and major options. 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.
1937 to 1956
Each model was known by its engine code and a single letter for the chassis/body.Examples:
| Code | Engine | Body |
| AA | A type | 1936-43 sedan |
| AB | A type | 1936-43 cabriolet |
| AC | A type | 1943–1948 sedan |
| SA | S type | 1947–1952 sedan |
| BJ | B type | 1953–1955 Jeep |
| FJ | F type | 1954–1955 Jeep |
| RH | R type | 1953–1955 sedan |
| RR | R type | 1955–1956 Master sedan |
| RS | R type | 1955–1958 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.| engine family | platform | generation | variation | steering | - | options |
| T | E | 2 | 1 | L | - | CAFD |
Engine family:
| F | F |
| K | 3K-C,... |
| M | 2M, 4M,... |
| R | 3R-C, 8R-C, 18R-C,... |
| T | 2T-C,... |
Platform:
| Code | Meaning |
| E | Corolla |
| A | Celica |
| J | Land Cruiser |
| N | Pickup truck (aka Hilux) |
| P | 1000 / Publica |
| S | Crown |
| T | Corona |
| X | Mark II |
Steering:
Options:
| Code | Meaning |
| A | USA or Canada |
| C | 2-speed automatic |
| D | Deluxe |
| G | Fold down tailgate |
| F | 4-door |
| H | 3-speed automatic with floor shift |
| J | 3-speed automatic |
| K | 4-speed manual with floor shift |
| M | 5-speed manual with floor shift |
| N | 3-speed automatic with column shift |
| V | Station wagon |
1977 to present
The new code was similar to the previous but now the options were grouped into specific columns.| engine family | suffix of engine family or prefix of platform or combination | platform | generation | variation | steering | wagon | - | model name | body type | transmission | grade | engine class | market |
| M | S | 12 | 3 | L | - | S | E | M | G | F | W |
Engine family:
| A | 2A, 4A,... |
| C | 1C, 2C,... |
| E | 1E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E |
| F | F,... |
| H | HZ,... |
| K | 4K,... |
| L | L, 2L,... |
| M | 5M, 6M, 7M |
| R | 8R, 18R, 20R, 21R, 22R,... |
| S | 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S |
| T | 2T, 3T,... |
| Y | 1Y, 2Y, 3Y,... |
Platform and model name:
Steering:
Wagon:
Model name:
Body type:
| Code | Passenger vehicle | Commercial vehicle |
| C | coupé | |
| D | 2-door sedan | pick-up |
| E | 4-door sedan | |
| G | 3-door hatchback | wagon |
| H | 5-door hatchback | |
| K | 2-door convertible | - |
| L | liftback | |
| P | pickup | |
| R | van | |
| S | 2-door hardtop | softtop |
| T | 4-door hardtop | pick-up |
| V | 2-door van | van hardtop |
| W | 4-door wagon | |
| X | 4-door van | |
| Y | 2-door blind van | |
| Z | 2-door wagon |
Transmission:
| Code | Meaning |
| J | 4-speed manual, column shift |
| B | 4-speed manual, column shift |
| K | 4-speed manual, floor shift |
| M | 5-speed manual, floor shift |
| F | 6-speed manual, floor shift |
| C | 2-speed automatic |
| H | 3-speed automatic |
| S | 4-speed automatic, column shift |
| P | 4-speed automatic, floor shift |
| G | 5-speed automatic, floor shift |
| L | 6-speed automatic, floor shift |
| X | CVT automatic, floor shift |
Grade:
Engine class:
| Code | Meaning |
| blank | standard engine with single carburettor |
| S | standard engine with single carburettor |
| B | twin carburettors |
| E | EFI |
| G | twin cam |
| F | twin cam, EFI |
| C | emission control |
| X | diesel turbo |
Destination :
| Code | Meaning |
| blank | General Countries |
| A | USA |
| C | Switzerland, Sweden |
| D | Indonesia |
| E | Malaysia |
| G | Brazil |
| H | Argentina |
| K | Canada |
| M | The Philippines |
| N | South Africa |
| Q | Australia |
| R | Taiwan |
| T | Thailand |
| U | Vietnam |
| V | Middle East |
| W | Europe |
| X | India |