Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| GX81 | 2.0-litre | Launch hardtop and sedan: 1G-FE, 1G-GE, 1G-GZE and 1G-GTE |
| MX83 | 3.0-litre | 7M-GE Grande G sedan, August 1990 catalogue (E-MX83) |
| JZX81 | 2.5-litre | 1JZ-GE Grande sedan and 1JZ-GTE GT Twin Turbo hardtop, August 1990 catalogue (E-JZX81) |
| SX80 / LX80 | 1.8-litre petrol / 2.4-litre diesel | Listed by Toyota for the sedan range |
Codes as listed by Toyota for this generation. Toyota publishes no letter-by-letter breakdown.
Editorial notes
Key Takeaways
Dates are Toyota's Japanese release and catalogue dates. The hardtop and the sedan ended at different times, so each is dated separately.
- Only the hardtop and sedan are X80. The Mark II wagon kept the fifth-generation body.
- The chassis code points to the engine. GX81 is a 2.0-litre six, MX83 the 3.0-litre 7M-GE, JZX81 a 2.5-litre 1JZ-GE or 1JZ-GTE.
- The launch GT Twin Turbo made 210 PS from the 2.0-litre 1G-GTE; the 280 PS twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE arrived in August 1990.
- Check equipment, not the badge. The catalogued 1990 GT lists the LSD and driver airbag as options, with ABS and traction control standard.
- The sedan outlived the hardtop. Toyota kept it in production until December 1995, so late sedans are still X80.
- Premium petrol is catalogued for the 1990 JZX81 GT, the JZX81 Grande and the MX83 3.0 Grande G.
Background
Hardtop, sedan and the 1992 split
Toyota replaced only the hardtop and sedan in 1988; the wagon kept the earlier body. The hardtop got a blacked-out front pillar and the sedan a four-light cabin. Toyota launched the replacement hardtop in October 1992, a date that does not establish the last X80 hardtop build.
Toyota's heritage history records sedan production ending in December 1995, when the Comfort arrived, while its used-car catalogue runs the February 1993 sedan entry through September 1996. A catalogue period is not a build date, so a 1993 to 1995 four-door can still be an X80; check the individual car's records. Toyota also says the Mark II outsold the Corolla in Japan in 1990.
Model codes
Toyota lists GX81 for the 2.0-litre hardtop and sedan, SX80 for the 1.8-litre sedan and LX80 for the 2.4-litre diesel sedan. The 3.0-litre 7M-GE Grande G sedan is E-MX83 in the August 1990 catalogue. JZX81 is the 2.5-litre 1JZ: E-JZX81 covers the 1JZ-GE Grande sedan and the 1JZ-GTE GT Twin Turbo hardtop in that catalogue. The code therefore names the engine family, not the grade, and one GX81 code spans the naturally aspirated, supercharged and twin-turbo 2.0-litre cars.
Engines by date
The 1988 launch range centred on four 2.0-litre inline sixes: the 135 PS 1G-FE, 150 PS 1G-GE, 170 PS supercharged 1G-GZE and 210 PS twin-turbo 1G-GTE. A 200 PS 3.0-litre 7M-GE was added in August 1989. In August 1990 Toyota added the 2.5-litre 1JZ range, including the 180 PS 1JZ-GE and the 280 PS twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE.
Six-cylinder cars use MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. The February 1993 sedan range lists a 135 PS 1G-FE and a 115 PS 4S-FE. Toyota's X80 descriptions do not mention a 7M-GTE, so treat that claim as unverified.
Equipment and fuel on 1990 cars
On the catalogued August 1990 cars, the JZX81 GT lists the LSD and driver airbag as options, with ABS and traction control standard. The JZX81 Grande sedan lists ABS, traction control and the driver airbag as options. The MX83 3.0 Grande G sedan has ABS and traction control standard, with the driver airbag and leather seats optional. All three specify unleaded premium petrol and a 65-litre tank, and the GT runs 205/55R16 tyres. Check what is fitted and working rather than assuming the grade had it.
Technical Specifications
Figures are Toyota's Japanese ratings in PS and kW, with the grade and date stated. Toyota also lists 1.8-litre petrol and 2.4-litre diesel engines.
Engine Options
-
JZX81 GT Twin Turbo hardtop Aug 1990 catalogue
1JZ-GTE- Displacement
- 2,491 cc
- Aspiration
- Twin turbo
- Power
- 280 PS (206 kW) @ 6,200 rpm
- Torque
- 362.8 N·m (37.0 kgf·m) @ 4,800 rpm
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (ECT-S)
8.5:1 compression; 1,540 kg
-
GX81 GT Twin Turbo hardtop 1988 launch grade
1G-GTE- Displacement
- 1,988 cc
- Aspiration
- Twin turbo
- Power
- 210 PS @ 6,200 rpm
- Torque
- 28.0 kgf·m
Inline six; 1,420 kg
-
MX83 3.0 Grande G sedan Added Aug 1989; Aug 1990 catalogue
7M-GE- Displacement
- 2,954 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 200 PS (147 kW) @ 5,600 rpm
- Torque
- 264.8 N·m (27.0 kgf·m) @ 3,600 rpm
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (ECT-S)
9.8:1 compression; 1,530 kg
-
JZX81 Grande sedan Aug 1990 catalogue
1JZ-GE- Displacement
- 2,491 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 180 PS (132 kW) @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 235.4 N·m (24.0 kgf·m) @ 4,800 rpm
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (ECT-S)
10.0:1 compression; 1,460 kg
-
GX81 Grande G supercharger 1988 launch grade
1G-GZE- Displacement
- 1,988 cc
- Aspiration
- Supercharged
- Power
- 170 PS @ 6,000 rpm
Inline six; 1,480 kg
-
GX81 Grande Twin Cam 24 hardtop 1988 launch grade
1G-GE- Displacement
- 1,988 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 150 PS @ 6,200 rpm
Inline six; 1,360 kg
-
GX81 Grande sedan 1988 launch grade
1G-FE- Displacement
- 1,988 cc
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 135 PS @ 5,600 rpm
Inline six; 1,350 kg; still the 2.0-litre engine in the Feb 1993 sedan range
-
GL and GR Saloon sedan Feb 1993 range
4S-FE- Displacement
- 1.8-litre class
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Power
- 115 PS
Inline four; 1.8-litre class
Transmission Options
| Type | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-speed automatic (ECT-S, overdrive) | 1990 JZX81 GT Twin Turbo hardtop; JZX81 Grande and MX83 Grande G sedans | Final drive 4.100 on the GT and the 3.0 Grande G, 4.300 on the Grande 2.5. LSD optional on the GT; none listed for the two sedans. |
| 5-speed manual | GL, continuing sedan (February 1993 range) | Toyota's description lists a five-speed manual as a choice on the 1.8-litre GL. |
Variants & Trims
Each row is a grade Toyota catalogued, with its engine and the date of the catalogue entry. Equipment differed by grade and was often optional.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| X80 (Japan) | GT Twin Turbo (Aug 1990, JZX81) | 1JZ-GTE | Hardtop; 280 PS, four-speed automatic; LSD and driver airbag optional, ABS and traction control standard; 1,540 kg |
| X80 (Japan) | GT Twin Turbo (1988 launch) | 1G-GTE | Hardtop; 210 PS; 1,420 kg (Toyota's representative launch grade) |
| X80 (Japan) | Grande G supercharger (1988 launch) | 1G-GZE | 170 PS; 1,480 kg (representative launch grade, hardtop and sedan) |
| X80 (Japan) | Grande Twin Cam 24 (1988 launch) | 1G-GE | Hardtop; 150 PS; 1,360 kg (representative launch grade) |
| X80 (Japan) | Grande (1988 launch) | 1G-FE | Sedan; 135 PS; 1,350 kg (representative launch grade) |
| X80 (Japan) | Grande 2.5 (Aug 1990, JZX81) | 1JZ-GE | Sedan; 180 PS, four-speed automatic; ABS, traction control and driver airbag optional; 1,460 kg |
| X80 (Japan) | 3.0 Grande G (Aug 1990, MX83) | 7M-GE | Sedan; 200 PS, four-speed automatic; ABS and traction control standard, driver airbag optional; 1,530 kg |
| X80 (Japan) | GL, Grande and GR Saloon (Feb 1993 sedan range) | 4S-FE / 1G-FE | Continuing sedan; 1.8-litre 4S-FE at 115 PS in GL and GR Saloon, 2.0-litre 1G-FE at 135 PS in Grande; five-speed manual optional on GL |
Should You Buy a Toyota Mark II X80?
Strengths come from Toyota's own records. The cautions are about identification and equipment.
Why You'll Love It
- Well-documented specifications Toyota's heritage pages and dated catalogues give power, mass, dimensions and equipment for specific grades, so a car can be matched to a catalogue entry.
- A wide engine range Toyota offered 2.0-litre sixes from 135 PS up to a 210 PS twin turbo, a 200 PS 3.0-litre 7M-GE and, from 1990, a 280 PS twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE.
- Independent rear suspension on the sixes Six-cylinder cars use MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, a four-wheel independent layout.
- Two body styles Buyers could choose the four-door hardtop or the four-door sedan, which Toyota styled differently.
Why You Might Not
- Grade and date change the car Engines, drivetrain and equipment vary by body and date, so a GX81, MX83 or JZX81 code alone does not say what the car has.
- Options matter On the catalogued 1990 cars the LSD, driver airbag, ABS, traction control and leather seats were options or grade-specific, so confirm equipment car by car.
- Premium petrol Toyota's 1990 catalogues specify unleaded premium for the 1JZ and 7M cars, with a 65-litre tank.
- No Japanese failure data No X80-specific Japanese recall or failure statistics are published here, so judge each car on its own condition and records.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Anyone relying on a badge: a GX81, MX83 or JZX81 code alone does not establish the engine or the grade.
- Anyone who needs a factory manual GT Twin Turbo: Toyota's catalogued 1990 GT is a four-speed automatic, so a manual car needs its own documentation.
- Anyone relying on EPA's over-21-year exemption without checking that the engine is the original-design engine or an EPA-certified replacement.
- Anyone looking for an export Cressida guide: this page covers the Japanese Mark II only.
Common Issues & Solutions
These are identification and equipment checks drawn from Toyota's catalogues, not measured failure rates.
| Issue | Cause | Solution | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and grade mix-ups | At launch the GX81 code covered naturally aspirated, supercharged and twin-turbo 2.0-litre cars; JZX81 covers both the 1JZ-GE and the 1JZ-GTE. | Read the full model code and the engine code, and match them to a Toyota catalogue entry for that grade and date. | Verification only |
| Options that may be missing | On the 1990 GT the LSD and driver airbag were options; on the 1990 Grande sedan ABS, traction control and the driver airbag were options. | Check what is fitted and working instead of assuming the grade included it. | Verification only |
| Body and date confusion | Toyota launched the replacement hardtop in October 1992 and records sedan production ending in December 1995, so a late four-door can still be an X80 sedan. | Confirm the body type and build date from the plate and the Japanese registration papers. | Verification only |
| Claimed 7M-GTE or other unlisted engines | Toyota's X80 engine descriptions list the 1G family, the 7M-GE and the 1JZ engines; they do not mention a 7M-GTE. | Treat such a claim as unverified until the plate and engine number support it. | Verification only |
Differences between JDM & USDM
This page describes the Japanese-market Mark II only. Outputs are Toyota's Japanese PS and kW ratings, and dates are Japanese release and catalogue dates. The export Cressida is a related car that needs its own specification set; none of its figures are stated here. For EPA's over-21-year exemption, the engine must be the original-design engine or an EPA-certified replacement, and Canada works out vehicle age from the month and year of manufacture.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Verify the code, body and date first, then the engine and equipment, then the paperwork.
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
Generation span (Japan, hardtop and sedan) (1988–1995)
- Launched 24 August 1988 as the sixth-generation Mark II; the hardtop and sedan were new, the wagon kept the earlier body
- The hardtop was replaced in October 1992; the sedan stayed in production until December 1995
- Sold in Japan through Toyopet stores, also sold by Tokyo Toyota in Tokyo and Osaka Toyota in Osaka
- Built at Motomachi (hardtop) and Motomachi and Kanto Auto Works (sedan); dates are Toyota release and production-end statements, not individual build dates
Engine additions (August 1989–August 1990)
- August 1989: 3.0-litre 7M-GE at 200 PS added
- August 1990: 2.5-litre 1JZ-GE and the twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE at 280 PS added
Sedan after the hardtop (1992–1995)
- Not renewed at the 1992 model change; Toyota's February 1993 sedan range lists the 2.0-litre 1G-FE and the 1.8-litre 4S-FE
- Toyota's heritage history records production ending with the launch of the Comfort in December 1995; its used-car catalogue runs this sedan entry from February 1993 to September 1996, and a catalogue period is not a build date
1990 sales ranking (1990)
- Toyota says the Mark II beat the Corolla in annual Japanese sales for the first time
How It Compares
The Chaser and Cresta launched on the same day as separate cars. Toyota's records show how they differ in body and grade names.
| Feature | X80 | Toyota Chaser (fourth generation) | Toyota Cresta (third generation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Four-door hardtop and four-door sedan | Four-door hardtop only | Four-door sedan |
| Launch | 24 August 1988 | 24 August 1988 | 24 August 1988 |
| Luxury grade name | Grande | Avante | Super Lucent G |
In Pictures
The Buyer's Read
Start with the plate. The code, the body and the build date decide what an X80 is; the badge on the boot does not. Toyota used the GX81 code across 1G-GE, 1G-GZE and 1G-GTE cars, the MX83 code for the 3.0-litre 7M-GE, and JZX81 for 2.5-litre 1JZ cars from August 1990. Output ranged from 135 PS to 280 PS, so one code can cover very different cars.
Then check what is fitted. On the catalogued 1990 cars the LSD and driver airbag were options on the GT, ABS, traction control and the driver airbag were options on the Grande sedan, and leather seats were optional on the 3.0 Grande G. The GT Twin Turbo is catalogued as a four-speed automatic, so treat a manual as something to document. Premium petrol is specified for the 1JZ and 7M cars.
Finally, confirm the paperwork. Toyota launched the replacement hardtop in October 1992 and records X80 sedan production ending in December 1995. For EPA's over-21-year exemption, the engine must be the original-design engine or an EPA-certified replacement, and Canada reads age from the month and year of manufacture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between a GX81, MX83 and JZX81 Mark II?
- The codes follow the engine. GX81 covers the 2.0-litre inline sixes, including the 1G-FE, 1G-GE, 1G-GZE and 1G-GTE. MX83 is the 3.0-litre 7M-GE Grande G sedan. JZX81 is the 2.5-litre 1JZ, either the 1JZ-GE Grande sedan or the twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE GT hardtop in Toyota's August 1990 catalogue.
- Did the X80 have a factory 1JZ-GTE?
- Yes, from August 1990. Toyota's catalogue lists the JZX81 GT Twin Turbo hardtop at 280 PS (206 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 362.8 N·m at 4,800 rpm, with twin turbochargers. The 1988 launch GT Twin Turbo used the 2.0-litre 1G-GTE at 210 PS.
- Was the JZX81 GT Twin Turbo sold with a manual gearbox?
- The August 1990 catalogue entry lists a four-speed automatic (ECT-S) with an optional LSD and no manual. A car described as a manual GT needs its own documentation.
- Why are some X80 Mark IIs dated after 1992?
- Toyota launched the replacement hardtop in October 1992. Its heritage history records sixth-generation sedan production ending in December 1995, when the Comfort arrived. Its used-car catalogue instead runs the February 1993 sedan entry through September 1996. The catalogue period does not establish a later build date; check the individual car's records.
- How do the hardtop and the sedan differ?
- Toyota gave the hardtop a blacked-out front pillar and the sedan a four-light cabin. Representative launch cars are 4,690 mm long and 1,695 mm wide, the hardtop 1,375 mm tall and the sedan 1,405 mm. The hardtop was built at Motomachi; the sedan at Motomachi and Kanto Auto Works.
- Does an X80 need premium petrol?
- Toyota's catalogue entries for the 1990 JZX81 GT, JZX81 Grande and MX83 Grande G specify unleaded premium gasoline with a 65-litre tank.
- Which grades had the supercharged 1G-GZE?
- Toyota's launch tables list the 1G-GZE at 170 PS at 6,000 rpm in the Grande G supercharger grade, on both the hardtop and the sedan. Toyota's text names it among the principal 2.0-litre engines.
- Is the Mark II wagon an X80?
- No. Toyota gave the wagon only a minor facelift and kept the fifth-generation body, so it is not part of the sixth-generation hardtop and sedan range described on this page.
- How do import rules apply to an X80?
- For EPA's over-21-year exemption, the engine must be the original-design engine or an EPA-certified replacement. Canada determines vehicle age from the month and year of manufacture. Verify the individual car's engine and manufacturing records.
Sources & References
Sources (50)
- Wikimedia Commons: Toyota Mark II Grande Twin Cam 24 (photograph by Toyotacoronaexsaloon) — Wikimedia Commons Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Mark II hardtop, sixth generation (1988) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Mark II sedan, sixth generation (1988) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande G sedan (August 1990) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande sedan (August 1990) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II GT Twin Turbo (August 1990) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II model range and generation descriptions — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Mark II, seventh generation (1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- CAR and DRIVER: reprint catalogue, 1990 Toyota Mark II (E-MX83 / E-GX83) — CAR and DRIVER online Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: チェイサー 4代目 (1988) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: クレスタ 3代目 (1988) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- EPA: Learn About Importing Vehicles and Engines — US EPA Verified
- CBSA Memorandum D9-1-11: Importation of used or second-hand motor vehicles — Canada Border Services Agency Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: マークII ハードトップ 6代目 (1988) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Wikimedia Commons: Toyota Mark II Tourer V, front right (photograph by Mr.choppers) — Wikimedia Commons Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer V manual (October 1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer V automatic (October 1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande G 2.5 (October 1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II GL petrol (October 1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II GL diesel (October 1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: マークII 7代目 (1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Japan Ministry of Transport: Toyota recall notification, 18 May 1999 (lower ball joints) — Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: チェイサー 5代目 (1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: クレスタ 4代目 (1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Wikimedia Commons: Toyota Mark II hardtop (photograph by n-hid) — Wikimedia Commons Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Mark II, eighth generation (1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer V manual (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer V automatic (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande G 2.5 (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande G 3.0 (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer 2.0 (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande manual (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II GL diesel (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer 2.0 (August 1998) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande Four 2.0 (August 1998) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer S (August 1998) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II 2.5 Grande Trente (August 1998) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota press release, 24 October 2000: Mark II fully redesigned — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: マークII 8代目 (1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Carsensor: Toyota Chaser buying feature (generation history) — Recruit Carsensor Verified
- Toyota service campaign, 24 November 2011: Crown, Mark II and other models (lower ball joint inspection) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Mark II Qualis (1997) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Chaser, sixth generation (1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota 75 Years, vehicle lineage: Cresta, fifth generation (1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: クレスタ 5代目 (1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Tourer S (October 1992) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- Toyota certified used-car catalogue: Mark II Grande Four G package (September 1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: チェイサー 6代目 (1996) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
- 49 CFR 591.5: Declarations for importation of motor vehicles and equipment — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School Verified
- トヨタ自動車75年史 車両系統図: マークII 6代目 セダン (1988) — Toyota Motor Corporation Verified
Sources last verified: