2028 Toyota CelicaMotorTrend - MotorTrendFamiliar, attainable sport coupePotential turbo four-cylinderPossible rally-inspired AWDCrowded Toyota performance lineupU.S. availability not confirmedThe 2028 Toyota Celica could revive one of the brand's most familiar sport-compact nameplates as a modern two-door performance car. Expected to slot below the next Supra, it may blend everyday usability with rally-inspired character and a more attainable price.AdvertisementAdvertisementFun-to-drive small car competitors include the Honda Prelude, Hyundai Elantra N, and Subaru WRX.What's NewIn Toyota's latest effort to demonstrate the brand offers passion and sporty cars, a new sports car wearing the Celica nameplate could arrive for 2028. We don't have official details yet, but reports point to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, possible all-wheel drive, and at least some rally-inspired influence.For now, the biggest news is that the Celica appears to be moving toward a return after more than two decades away.This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.What We ThinkWe're excited by the prospect of the Celica returning. Toyota has built one of the industry's strongest performance car lineups, and a lightweight, rally-inspired coupe could add another appealing entry, especially if it revives some of the character of the old All-Trac.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe challenge will be giving it a clear place alongside the GR86, GR Corolla, and the next Supra. Whether the new Celica emphasizes affordability, all-wheel-drive performance, or everyday usability, it needs a distinct identity rather than simply repackaging an existing Toyota sports car. Until Toyota reveals more, we're hopeful—but much of what makes this revival exciting remains only a possibility.The Celica was once a mainstay in Toyota's lineup and even spawned the Supra. The Celica Supra was our 1982 Import Car of the Year. Could the 2028 Toyota Celica be a future Car of the Year winner?Top-Ranked Competitors:Honda PreludeHyundai Elantra NSubaru WRXWhich Powertrain Will the Celica Get?Toyota has not confirmed what will power the 2028 Celica, but its new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder looks like the strongest possibility. The compact engine can reportedly produce as much as 400 hp, though Toyota could detune it to keep the smaller Celica affordable and distinguish it from the next Supra.AdvertisementAdvertisementFront-wheel drive could suit a more accessible sport compact, while all-wheel drive would create a modern successor to the rally-bred Celica All-Trac. Toyota has not entirely ruled out electrification, but officials have suggested a lightweight, combustion-powered setup may better deliver the character expected of a specialized performance car.How Big Will the Next Celica Be?The Celica is expected to return as a compact two-door coupe, much like the previous generation. Its likely positioning below the next Supra suggests a footprint closer to the GR86, although the addition of all-wheel drive and more substantial performance hardware could make it slightly larger and heavier.For now, seating capacity, cargo space, and even whether it will retain the old Celica's liftback configuration remain unknown.TechnologyThe 2028 Celica will likely use Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia system, and we expect a 12.3-inch touchscreen similar to the larger display offered in the Prius. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, cloud-based navigation, voice controls, and multiple USB-C ports should also be available. A configurable digital instrument cluster could add performance displays for boost pressure, temperatures, lap timing, and all-wheel-drive torque distribution, depending on the final powertrain.AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota should also equip the Celica with its newest driver assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims could add a head-up display, wireless phone charging, a premium audio system, and connected performance-data features.What Was the Celica GT-Four?The GT-Four was the only all-wheel-drive Celica offered during the nameplate's original run. Introduced in Japan in 1986 and sold in the U.S. as the All-Trac Turbo from 1988 through 1993, it paired a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with full-time AWD and a three-door liftback body. Toyota developed it partly to support its World Rally Championship efforts, and successive GT-Four generations helped establish the Celica as a serious rally car.A new AWD Celica would therefore revive more than an old name. With reports pointing to turbocharged four-cylinder power and renewed rally influence, the 2028 Celica could serve as a modern successor to the GT-Four, even if Toyota doesn't use the historic badge.