Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla 11 at a glance

The Corolla has been Toyota's global best-seller for decades, and the eleventh generation split the line in two. The Japanese market kept the E160 Corolla Axio on the smaller B platform, launched in May 2012, while export markets got the larger saloon described here. In Europe, the Corolla name was used only for the saloon; the hatchback was sold as the Auris. The Toyota story is told in the history of Toyota.

The car was built in many countries, among them Adapazarı in Turkey for Europe, Blue Springs in Mississippi and Cambridge in Ontario for North America, and plants in China, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Pakistan, South Africa, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Dual VVT-i, Valvematic and diesel engines

The performance figures are from the old 1cars data for the European versions. In Europe, the 1.8 came with the Multidrive S CVT, which simulates seven gears and has a sport mode, while the other engines had six-speed manual gearboxes. North America offered a four-speed automatic, a six-speed manual and the CVTi-S. With 103 kW, the 1.8 has 30 kW more than the 1.33. The old 1cars data gives about 5.6 l/100 km for the economical versions in the combined cycle.

Suspension is by MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. The front brakes are ventilated discs of about 277–279 mm.

Cabin, space and boot

The dashboard is closely related to that of the second-generation Toyota Auris. The longer wheelbase gave the rear passengers about 10 cm more legroom, and thin front seat backs and a lower floor tunnel let three adults sit in the back. The rear seats fold 60:40. Toyota added a thicker windscreen and more sound insulation in the wheel arches, floor, bonnet and front bulkhead.

Equipment depended on trim. Most versions had seven airbags, stability control, air conditioning and a height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel. Higher trims added a 6.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, a reversing camera, parking assistance, LED daytime lights and 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels.

Economy and ownership costs

The Corolla 11 is one of the cheaper cars of its class to run. The combined figure of about 5.6 l/100 km applied to the economical petrol versions, and the 1.4 D-4D diesel was the most frugal choice in Europe. Toyota's reputation for reliability and low servicing costs carries over to this generation, and the naturally aspirated engines and torsion-beam rear axle are simple to maintain.

The 2016 facelift and the end of production

Toyota unveiled the facelift on 24 March 2016, with new bumpers, headlights and grille, and a refreshed interior; North America received its version for the 2017 model year. Production ended in Europe in January 2019, in the US in February 2019 and in China in September 2019, when the twelfth-generation E210 took over. Some markets kept the E170 for longer: South Africa until 2024.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP: five stars

Euro NCAP tested the Corolla in 2013 and awarded five stars. It scored 94% for adult occupants, 82% for children, 67% for pedestrians and 66% for safety assist. In Australia, ANCAP gave the Thai-built saloon five stars with 34.88 of 37 points. In 2014 the Corolla saloon and the Auris hatchback together were Australia's best-selling car line.

Rivals: how the Corolla 11 compares

Compared with the Focus and the Jetta, the Corolla is less sporty to drive but roomier in the back, and it has a stronger reputation for reliability. Set it against its rivals in the 1cars comparison tool or check the versions in the specifications section.