Toyota Roomy Grade Guide: X vs G vs G-T vs Custom G vs Custom G-T — All Differences Explained

Toyota's compact, family-friendly tall wagon, decoded grade by grade — with a running update landing in September 2026. Here's exactly what separates each grade, and what's about to change.

📅 Current Model: Second-generation Roomy (since Nov 2016, last major refresh Sept 2020, running update expected Sept 7, 2026) 🚗 Grades: X · G · G-T · Custom G · Custom G-T 🇯🇵 Japan Domestic Market 🚪 Twin Power-Sliding Doors, 1LD-CAR Concept

What Is the Toyota Roomy?

The Roomy is Toyota's version of a car built by Daihatsu and sold under three separate badges — Roomy at Toyota, Thor at Daihatsu, and Justy at Subaru — all mechanically identical aside from grille, bumper, and lighting details. Toyota markets it around a "1LD-CAR" concept, blending the roominess of "Living" space with confident "Driving" — reflected in a maximum front-to-rear occupant distance of 1,105mm, rear seats that recline up to 70 degrees and slide up to 240mm, and class-leading interior height of 1,355mm. It won a Good Design Award in 2017 and has become one of Toyota's steady sellers among small-family buyers who want minivan-style sliding doors without minivan-sized dimensions.

The lineup splits into two distinct looks: the standard Roomy, with simpler styling, and Roomy Custom, which adds aero parts, alloy wheels, and a sportier front-end treatment aimed at buyers who want a tougher, more upscale appearance.

Grade Lineup at a Glance

Prices per Toyota's official Japan-market pricing as of the December 2024 update; a further running update is expected around September 7, 2026 (see below) with modest price reductions on X and Custom grades and roughly flat pricing on G/G-T. Fuel economy does not vary by grade — only by 2WD vs 4WD choice — and both Turbo grades (G-T, Custom G-T) are 2WD only, with no 4WD option.

Two Engines — Naturally Aspirated and Turbo

Every Roomy grade uses a version of the same 996cc "1KR" three-cylinder engine family, with the state of tune differing sharply between Turbo and non-Turbo grades.

1.0L Naturally Aspirated (X, G, Custom G)

• 996cc inline-3 DOHC
• Available in 2WD or 4WD
• The standard engine across three of the five grades, prioritizing running cost over outright acceleration

1.0L Turbo (G-T, Custom G-T)

• Same-displacement 996cc inline-3, turbocharged
• Delivers torque roughly equivalent to a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine — approximately 140 Nm
• 2WD only — no 4WD option on either Turbo grade
• Adds noticeably stronger acceleration for highway merging, hills, or driving with a full load of passengers

The "T" in G-T and Custom G-T stands for Turbo — a useful shorthand once you know it, since Toyota doesn't otherwise flag the engine difference prominently in the grade name.

Full Grade Breakdown

X — Entry Grade

From ¥1,742,400

• Toyota Safety Sense standard, including collision-avoidance braking for both daytime and nighttime pedestrians/vehicles
• A more basic equipment set than G and above — the only grade without Toyota's evolved "Smart Assist"-equivalent extended feature set in some comparisons, though core Toyota Safety Sense functions remain standard

X is the value pick — genuinely one of the most affordable ways into a new Toyota with sliding doors and a roomy cabin, at a starting price under ¥2 million.

G — Mid Grade, Standard Body

• Both-side power sliding doors, including a "Welcome Open" function that opens the door automatically as you approach
• TFT color multi-information display
• LED headlamps
• Panoramic View Monitor and Blind Spot Monitor available (advanced safety options expand versus X)
• A practical, well-rounded grade — Toyota's own dealer materials describe it as the balance point between price and everyday usability

G-T — Turbo Version of G

• Same core equipment as G (power sliding doors, LED headlamps, safety suite)
• Push-button start
• Driver's seat heater
• Rear sunshade
• The 1.0L turbo engine in place of G's naturally aspirated unit
• 2WD only

If you want more low-end pull than G offers but don't need the Custom's exterior treatment, G-T is the grade to look for.

Custom G — Upper Trim, Sport Styling

• Custom-exclusive aero parts and alloy wheels, distinguishing it from the standard Roomy's simpler bumper and wheel design
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel, water-repellent seat fabric, and silver interior accents
• Both-side Welcome Power Sliding Doors, driver's seat heater, rear sunshade
• Toyota Safety Sense plus Panoramic View Monitor and Blind Spot Monitor
• Available in 2WD or 4WD, unlike the Turbo grades

Custom G is aimed at buyers who want the Custom look and most of the Custom G-T's comfort equipment, while keeping the naturally aspirated engine's lower running cost and the option of 4WD.

Custom G-T — Top Grade

• All Custom G equipment (aero parts, alloy wheels, leather-wrapped wheel, water-repellent seats)
• The 1.0L turbo engine
• Chrome exterior parts and additional alloy wheel design versus Custom G
• Push-button start, driver's seat heater, rear sunshade
• 2WD only

Custom G-T combines the sportiest available styling with the strongest engine in the range, at the cost of losing 4WD — Toyota's flagship trim on this platform.

Full Feature Comparison Table

✓ = Standard/Available | ✗ = Not offered. Features sourced from Toyota's official grade pages and dealer grade-comparison content (toyota.jp/roomy), current through the December 2024 update.

What's Changing in the September 2026 Update

Toyota is expected to roll out a running update to the Roomy around September 7, 2026 — reportedly a modest refresh rather than a full model change, with the exterior design largely carrying over from the 2020 facelift. Key reported changes:

• Pricing shifts: the entry X grade is expected to see a price cut of roughly ¥50,000 despite gaining equipment, G and G-T are expected to hold roughly flat pricing, and Custom-series grades are expected to drop roughly ¥100,000.
• Electric Parking Brake + Auto Brake Hold (EPB+ABH) — previously exclusive to Custom-series grades — becomes available as an option on G and G-T for the first time, bringing with it adaptive cruise control-related equipment (steering switches, a compatible meter display, and piano-black center cluster trim with silver accents) as linked options.
• X remains foot-pedal parking brake only — this specific upgrade does not extend to the entry grade.
• Smart Assist camera hardware is updated to a newer generation, adding detection for cyclists, crossing pedestrians during turns, and oncoming vehicles during right turns.
• Side airbags become standard across every grade, newly added in this update.
• Rear corner sensors increase from 2 to 4, matching the front sensor count.
• Cybersecurity law compliance, revised seat/headrest strength standards, and an Event Data Recorder (EDR) are added across the range to meet updated regulations.
• X grade gains a front center armrest and a height-adjustable driver's seat, closing a small comfort gap with higher grades.
• A new "Another Style Package" dealer option adds a bumper spoiler, roof spoiler, leather-look x fabric seat trim with water repellency, and interior foot illumination.

None of this has been officially confirmed by Toyota at the time of writing — it's compiled from pre-announcement automotive press coverage — so confirm final specification and pricing against the official grade page once the update goes live.

A Note on Delivery Timing

Toyota's official Roomy page currently displays a notice directing buyers to check estimated factory shipment timing before ordering, and owner forum discussion has referenced broader production disruptions affecting related Toyota/Daihatsu models in the same period (including a supplier parts-plant incident cited by some owners as a factor in delivery delays). If you're ordering new, check current delivery estimates with a dealer rather than assuming standard lead times, and if you're importing a used unit, this is less relevant but still worth knowing as context for why used Roomy pricing and availability may be moving.

GT vs G vs Custom — Which Should You Choose?

• Choose X if outright price is the priority and you're comfortable with a simpler equipment list — still backed by full Toyota Safety Sense.
• Choose G if you want both-side power sliding doors and a TFT display without paying for Custom styling or the turbo engine.
• Choose G-T if you want stronger acceleration than G offers, without paying for Custom's exterior treatment.
• Choose Custom G if styling matters most and you still want the option of 4WD and the naturally aspirated engine's lower running cost.
• Choose Custom G-T if you want the strongest engine and the sportiest available styling, and you're comfortable giving up 4WD to get both.

Importing a Toyota Roomy

For buyers sourcing a Roomy from Japanese auction, a few identification points matter:

• Alloy wheels and aero parts distinguish Custom-series grades (Custom G, Custom G-T) from standard Roomy (X, G, G-T) at a glance — the standard cars keep a simpler bumper design.
• Push-button start, a driver's seat heater, and a rear sunshade together indicate a "-T" (Turbo) or Custom grade — the base X and G lack all three.
• Confirm 2WD vs 4WD before bidding on a Turbo-badged unit — both G-T and Custom G-T are 2WD only, so a "Turbo 4WD" listing should be treated as a red flag worth double-checking against the chassis data.
• The same car is sold as the Daihatsu Thor and Subaru Justy — cross-referencing the chassis number and grade code against Toyota's own equipment charts is the safest way to confirm exact spec regardless of which badge a specific auction listing uses.
• Build date matters for the September 2026 update — cars built before that update won't have the newer Smart Assist camera generation, standard side airbags, or the 4-sensor rear corner sensor setup; confirm production date against the equipment sheet.

Always confirm the exact grade, engine, drivetrain, and accident history against the chassis number before bidding, since equipment details are easy to misread from auction photos alone. If you're bidding from overseas, running the chassis number through a Japanese auction sheet and history check before you commit is the safest way to confirm the car in front of you actually matches the grade it's listed under — that's exactly the kind of check we built JPChecker to make simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Toyota Roomy the same car as the Daihatsu Thor? Yes. The Roomy, Daihatsu Thor, and Subaru Justy are all built on the same platform with identical engines, transmissions, and dimensions. The differences are limited to front bumper, grille, and taillight styling between brands.

What is the cheapest Toyota Roomy grade? The X grade is the entry point, starting from ¥1,742,400 (tax included) as of the most recent confirmed pricing, with a further modest price cut expected in the September 2026 update.

What does the "T" mean in Roomy G-T and Custom G-T? "T" stands for Turbo. G-T and Custom G-T use a 1.0L turbocharged engine producing roughly the torque of a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, versus the standard 1.0L naturally aspirated unit in X, G, and Custom G.

Does the Toyota Roomy Turbo come with 4WD? No. Both Turbo grades — G-T and Custom G-T — are offered in front-wheel drive only. If you need 4WD, you must choose a naturally aspirated grade: X, G, or Custom G.

What is the difference between Roomy and Roomy Custom? Custom-series grades (Custom G, Custom G-T) add exclusive aero parts and alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, water-repellent seat fabric, and silver interior accents — the standard Roomy (X, G, G-T) uses a simpler bumper design and standard interior trim.

Is a Toyota Roomy hybrid available? No, not as of the current generation. There has been recurring speculation among Japanese owners and press that a hybrid version could arrive in a future update, but no hybrid Roomy has been officially confirmed or released at the time of writing.

What's changing in the Roomy's September 2026 update? Reported changes include Electric Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold becoming optionally available on G and G-T for the first time, an updated Smart Assist camera with expanded detection, standard side airbags across all grades, additional rear corner sensors, and modest price adjustments — a price cut on X and Custom grades, roughly flat pricing on G/G-T. This is based on pre-announcement reporting and should be confirmed against Toyota's official release once available.