Toyota Corolla

Japanese compact car

Motor vehicle
  • Toyota Sprinter (Japan, 1968–2000)
  • Toyota Allex (Japan, 2001–2006)
  • Toyota Auris (Japan and Europe, 2006–2018; Taiwan, 2018–2020)
  • Toyota Levin (China, 2014–present)
  • Toyota Allion (China, 2021–present)
  • Toyota Conquest/Tazz/Carri (South Africa, 1988–2006)
  • Daihatsu Charmant (1974–1987)
  • Holden Nova (Australia, 1989–1996)
  • Suzuki Swace (Europe, 2020–present)
ProductionNovember 1966 – presentBody and chassisClass
  • Subcompact car (1966–1991)
  • Compact car (1991–present)
ChronologyPredecessorToyota Publica

The Toyota Corolla (Japanese: トヨタ・カローラ, Hepburn: Toyota Karōra) is a series of compact cars (formerly subcompact) manufactured and marketed globally by the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. Introduced in 1966, the Corolla was the best-selling car worldwide by 1974 and has been one of the best-selling cars in the world since then. In 1997, the Corolla became the best-selling nameplate in the world, surpassing the Volkswagen Beetle.[1] Toyota reached the milestone of 50 million Corollas sold over twelve generations in 2021.[2]

The name Corolla is part of Toyota's naming tradition of using names derived from the Toyota Crown for sedans, with "corolla" Latin for "small crown".[3] The Corolla has always been exclusive in Japan to Toyota Corolla Store locations, and manufactured in Japan with a twin, called the Toyota Sprinter until 2000. From 2006 to 2018 in Japan and much of the world, and from 2018 to 2020 in Taiwan, the hatchback companion had been called the Toyota Auris.

Early models were mostly rear-wheel drive, while later models have been front-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive versions have also been produced, and it has undergone several major redesigns. The Corolla's traditional competitors have been the Nissan Sunny, introduced the same year as the Corolla in Japan and the later Nissan Sentra, Nissan Sylphy, Honda Civic and Mitsubishi Lancer. The Corolla's chassis designation code is "E", as described in Toyota's chassis and engine codes.

Production locations

Countries and territories where the Toyota Corolla has been produced. Red indicates Japan, blue indicates countries where the Corolla is currently produced, and green indicates countries where the Corolla was formerly produced.

Corollas are manufactured in Japan at the original Takaoka plant built in 1966. Various production facilities have been built in Brazil, (Indaiatuba, São Paulo), Canada (Cambridge, Ontario), China (Tianjin), Pakistan (Karachi), South Africa (Durban), Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey (Sakarya), and the United Kingdom (Derbyshire). Production or assembly has previously been carried out in Australia (Dandenong and Altona), India (Bangalore), Indonesia (Jakarta), Malaysia (Shah Alam), New Zealand (Thames), the Philippines (Santa Rosa, Laguna), and Venezuela.

Corollas were made at NUMMI in Fremont, California until March 2010.[4] Production resumed in November 2011 at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi in Blue Springs, Mississippi.[5]

First generation (E10; 1966)

First-generation, front
First-generation, rear

The first generation Corolla was introduced in November 1966 with the new 1100 cc K pushrod engine. The Corolla Sprinter was introduced as the fastback version in 1968, and exclusive to a Toyota Japan dealership retail outlet called Toyota Auto Store.

Second generation (E20; 1970)

Second-generation, front
Second-generation, rear

In May 1970, the E20 was restyled with a more rounded body. The now mutually exclusive Corolla and Sprinter names were used to differentiate between two slightly different treatments of sheet metal and trim. The Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno names were introduced as the enhanced performance version of the Corolla and Sprinter respectively when a double overhead camshaft version of the 2T engine was introduced in March 1972 (TE27).

In September 1970, the 1400 cc T and 1600 cc 2T OHV engines were added to the range.[6]

In Australia, only the 1.2 L engine (3K) powered 2-door KE20 was available as a sedan and wagon / panelvan. The brakes were single system with no booster, solid discs on the front and rear drums. Front sway bar but no rear sway bar. Parts are not compatible with later models.

In New Zealand, the 4-door KE20 was available.

Most models stopped production in July 1974 but the KE26 wagon and van were still marketed in Japan alongside the new 30-series, until production finally ended in May 1978.

Third generation (E30, E40, E50, E60; 1974)

Third-generation sedan
Third-generation liftback

April 1974 brought rounder, bigger and heavier Corollas and Sprinters. The range was rounded out with the addition of a two-door liftback. The Corollas were given E30 codes while the Sprinters were given E40 codes. A facelift in March 1976 saw most Corolla E30 models replaced by equivalent E50 models and most Sprinter E40 models were replaced by equivalent E60 models. The E30 Corolla was fitted with retracting front seat belts.

In Australia, the KE3x/KE5x was available as 4-door sedan (KE30/KE55), 2-door sedan (KE30), 2-door hardtop coupe (KE35/KE55), 2-door panel van (KE36/KE38), 4-door wagon (KE36/KE38) and a 2-door liftback (KE50/KE55). All KE3x models had 3K engines and K40 4-speed manual, K50 5 speed manual, 2-speed automatic or 3-speed automatic gearbox. Sprinters were not available. The KE5x models 4K engines. The KE55 was 50 kg heavier due to the addition of side impact protection in the doors, but due to a change in the body metal and seam sealing they are prone to rust. Later KE55s also used plastic ended bumper bars as opposed to the all chrome bumpers of the previous models, but included a rear sway bar for the first time.

Fourth generation (E70; 1979)

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Fourth-generation sedan
Fourth-generation station wagon

A major restyle in March 1979[7] brought a square edged design. The Corollas had a simpler treatment of the grill, headlights and tail lights while the Sprinter used a slightly more complex, sculptured treatment. The new A series engines were added to the range as a running change. This was the last model to use the K "hicam" and T series engines. Fuel injection was introduced as an extra cost option on Japanese market vehicles.

The wagon and van continued to be made until June 1987 after the rest of the range was replaced by the E80 generation.

Fifth generation (E80; 1983)