Toyota Corolla (E120)


The Toyota Corolla is the ninth generation of compact cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate. In Japan, this series arrived to the market in August 2000; however, exports were typically not achieved until 2001 and 2002 depending on the market.
The sedan and station wagon arrived first in August 2000, followed by the five-door hatchback in January 2001, and the Europe-only three-door hatchback in 2002. Toyota supplemented the original styling with an edgier, hatchback-only styling treatment from 2002. Sedans and wagons sold in Japan adopted a new front-end design in 2004, although this version did not typically reach European markets. In other Asian markets and the Americas, the ninth generation Corolla had unique front and rear styling treatments with mild updates over the model's production run.
The E120/E130 model offered a longer wheelbase. It is built on a shortened V50 series Vista platform. From being marketed as a premium compact sedan, to an affordable hatchback, the ninth generation Corolla was designed as a "global" automobile to suit different market needs. This was one of Toyota's most versatile and most popular models ever produced.
The E120/E130 series Corolla has also spawned another separate hatchback model called the Matrix, sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which forms the basis of the Pontiac Vibe, which was in turn sold in Japan as the Voltz.
The E120 series was replaced by the E140 or E150 series in late 2006 or early 2007 but the E120 continued to be produced in China until 2017.
The E120 Corolla won the What Car? magazine's "Car of the Year" award for 2002.

Japanese/international version

Japan

For the Japanese market, trim levels for the Corolla Sedan were X Assista Package, X, G and Luxel. In 2003, 1.5-litre 4WD sedans were made available in the Japanese market.
The station wagon model is called the Corolla Fielder in Japan and the five-door hatchback is called the Corolla RunX, launched in 2001. The Toyota Allex is a five-door hatchback that replaced the Sprinter sedan, a badge engineered version of the Corolla RunX. The Allex was exclusive to Toyota Netz Store locations, while the Corolla RunX was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations.
Japanese Corolla RunX trim levels are: RunX X, RunX S and RunX Z as well as RunX Z Aero.
The first two of three Japanese Allex trim levels were not differentiated with a visual badge, but offered similar packages to the RunX with the base model featuring the 1500 cc 1NZ-FE engine, the middle range featuring the 1800 cc 1ZZ-FE engine and the Allex RS180 featuring the 1800 cc 2ZZ-GE engine. Allex models offered a different colour range and had minor styling differences to the RunX, such examples include the plastic trim above the license plate area being chrome as opposed to body colour like on the RunX. Interior cloth patterns also differed from the RunX.
The Corolla Spacio moved on to the new platform, with later models adding a third row of fold-down seating in the back. The Corolla sedan sold in Japan also differed slightly as compared to the other markets with a slightly different headlamp and tail lamp design.

Australia and New Zealand

The E120 Corolla sold in Australia was available as a sedan, wagon and five-door hatchback, sales began in December 2001. Trim levels offered were the Ascent, Ascent Sport, Conquest, Levin and Ultima. A small number of models were built in South Africa, with the high-performance Sportivo built exclusively in South Africa. South African-built Corollas have a vehicle identification number starting with A; Japanese-made examples have a VIN starting with J. The Sportivo was powered by the 2ZZ-GE engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, while the other models had the 1ZZ-FE. Minor changes in 2004 included the grille and replacing the headlights with a "tear drop" type. The Sportivo was discontinued in Australia from 2006 due to the prohibitive costs involved in modifying the engine to comply with Euro IV emissions.
All the other models had their engine power and torque reduced with October 2005 production from and from to comply with Euro IV. From May 2006, the Ascent and Ascent Sport models were upgraded with standard front power windows and passenger airbag, while the Conquest models had ABS as standard. The equipment upgrades were not applied to the wagon, which ceased production in August 2006.
In New Zealand, the Corolla hatch was offered in three trim levels: GL, GLX & T Sport. The GL proved most popular and differed from the GLX only by a lack of woodgrain trim, rear electric windows, passenger airbag and alloy wheels. GLX models mostly featured tan coloured interior with woodgrain trim, front fog lights and alloy wheels as standard. The T Sport model offered a sportier look with spoiler, side skirts, front fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels as standard. All models had the 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE, offered either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual and had manual A/C as standard. The Corolla sedan was offered only in the GL and GLX trim level, whilst the station wagon offered in the GL trim only.

Europe

For the European market, the Corolla was offered in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, sedan or saloon, and wagon or Kombi / Estate forms. The high-performance Corolla T-Sport with 1.8-litre 2ZZ-GE engine was available in certain countries.
European/Israeli/Moroccan market engines:
  • 2002–2007 – 4ZZ-FE – 1.4 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVT-i, 97 hp
  • 2002–2007 – 3ZZ-FE – 1.6 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVT-i, 109 hp
  • 2001–2004 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVTL-i,, 180 Nm @ 6800 rpm - Valve Lifters 147 kW @ 7800 rpm
  • 2004–2005 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVTL-i,, 180 Nm - Valve Lifters 147 kW @ 7800 rpm
  • 2005–2006 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, supercharged, FI, VVTL-i, 215 hp – Compressor
  • 2005–2006 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L I4, 16-valve DOHC, supercharged, FI, VVTL-i, 224 hp – Compressor
  • 2004–2007 – 1ND-TV – 1.4 L I4 diesel, 8-valve SOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, 89 hp
  • 2003–2007 – 1CD-FTV – 2.0 L I4 diesel, 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, 90 hp – without intercooler
  • 2003–2007 – 1CD-FTV – 2.0 L I4 diesel, 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, 110 hp – with intercooler
  • 2003–2007 – 1CD-FTV – 2.0 L I4 diesel, 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, 116 hp – with intercooler
  • 2003–2007 – 2C – 2.0 L I4 diesel, 8-valve, 73 hp

    Asian/Americas version

Asia

An upmarket version of the ninth generation Corolla, dubbed the Corolla Altis, is manufactured and sold in countries such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. It debuted in March 2001 as a bigger and more luxurious variant of the Japanese Corolla, featuring unique interior and exterior panels that separates it from the basic Corolla. The Corolla Altis is targeted at consumers who prefer more comfort than the standard Corolla but do not wish to buy the more luxurious Camry. Two versions of engines are available: the 81 kW, 1.6 L 3ZZ-FE engine and the 100 kW, 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE engine, both with VVT-i technology.
In October 2003, the Corolla Altis received its first facelift. Changes include a new grille design, a sleeker front bumper, redesigned fog lamps, new LED tail lights, different alloy wheels and minor interior updates. Two years later, to keep up with its newer competitors, the Corolla Altis received its second facelift. Exterior changes include another redesigned grille, redesigned chrome rear license plate ornament, a new third LED brake light, and new audio switches on the steering wheel. China would also receive two additional facelifts for the Corolla Altis in 2010 and 2013, featuring redesigned front and rear fascia's.

Thailand

The Corolla Altis was introduced in Thailand on 16 May 2001 making it the first country in Southeast Asia to get this model. It is offered a total of three grades, paired with either 1.6-litre 3ZZ-FE and 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE engine that is standard with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence. The J grade was marketed simply as Corolla, while the E and G grades were marketed as Corolla Altis. The 1.8S grade was added in June 2002, the specs are the same with the 1.8G grade but it is added with rear spoiler and side skirts. In January 2003, a low end variant of the Corolla and Corolla Altis is also branded as the Toyota Limo, featuring lower spec and intended for taxi businesses in Thailand. Unlike the two aforementioned models, it is powered with the 1.6-litre DOHC non-VVTi 4A-FE engine paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Due to being the commercial grade of the Corolla lineup, it doesn't have any power features except for steering, but it has 3-spoke PVC steering wheel, single-din AM/FM stereo with mechanical-operated cassette player, manual dial-type air conditioning system, grey Vinyl seats, 14-inch steel wheels, and doesn't includes tachometer and ABS with EBD unlike on the regular Corolla and Corolla Altis models. It is not to be confused with the low end taxi version of the Toyota Vios which is also called Toyota Limo in Indonesia.
Marketed as Corolla:
  • 1.6 J – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 3-spoke polyurethane gray steering wheel, includes tachometer, power steering, windows and door locks, colour-keyed door handles, standard instrument cluster panel, single-din AM/FM radio with full-logic cassette player, manual linear-type airconditioning system, gray Fabric seats, 14-inch alloy rims, includes ABS with EBD.
  • 1.6 J Plus – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-spoke polyurethane gray steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6J with the inclusion of Driver's airbag and Toyota Vehicle Security System with auto alarm function.
Marketed as Corolla Altis:
  • 1.6 E – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 3-spoke polyurethane black steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6J with the inclusion of power mirrors, single-din AM/FM radio with CD player, mixed beige Fabric and Leather seats, height adjustment on driver's seat and 15-inch alloy rims.
  • 1.6 E Plus – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-spoke polyurethane black steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6E with the inclusion of wood grain accents trimmed on the interior and Drivers side airbag.
  • 1.8 E – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, 4-spoke leather wrapped beige steering wheel, same features as the 1.6E with the inclusion of power retractable mirrors, chrome door handles, Optitron instrument cluster panel, double-din AM/FM radio with CD player capable of playing 6 CDs, full-logic automatic climate control, authentic beige Leather seats and Dual SRS airbags.
  • 1.8 G – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, 4-spoke leather wrapped beige steering wheel with wood grain trims, same specifications and features as 1.8E trim with the addition of Cruise Control, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.
  • 1.8 S – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, same specifications and features as 1.8 G trim with the addition of sporty black leather seats, elimination of wood grain trim on the interior, a new sporty chrome-metal ball-shape gear knob, side skirts and rear spoiler, added in June 2002.
The facelifted Corolla Altis was revealed for the first time on 19 November 2003. It received a new grille design, a sleeker front bumper, redesigned fog lamps, new LED tail lights, different alloy wheels and minor interior updates. The trims remained the same as the pre-facelift model, but the ABS with EBD function were removed for the 1.6J and 1.6E grades, the 1.6E Plus grade was rebranded as the 1.6G grade in August 2005. More than One year after its release, the taxi-oriented Limo gets the pre-facelift Altis grille design in July 2004, the features remained the same as the pre-facelift model and it is still powered by the 1.6-litre 4A-FE engine still paired either with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Marketed as Corolla:
  • 1.6 J – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 3-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, includes tachometer, power steering, windows, door locks and mirrors, colour-keyed door handles, standard instrument cluster panel, single-din AM/FM radio with full-logic cassette player, manual linear-type airconditioning system, gray Fabric seats, 15-inch alloy wheels.
  • 1.6 J Plus – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-spoke urethane steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6J trim with the inclusion of Power retractable mirrors, ABS with EBD, Driver's airbag and Toyota Vehicle Security System with auto alarm function.
Marketed as Corolla Altis:
  • 1.6 E – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 3-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6J Plus trim with the inclusion of double-din AM/FM radio with CD player, beige Fabric seats and height adjustment on driver's seat.
  • 1.6 G – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-spoke urethane steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6E with the inclusion of ABS with EBD and Dual SRS airbags, formerly marketed as 1.6E Plus from November 2003 to July 2005.
  • 1.8 E – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, same features as the 1.6G with the inclusion of wood grain accents trimmed on the interior, chrome door handles, optitron instrument cluster panel, double-din AM/FM radio with CD player capable of playing 6 CDs, full-logic automatic climate control, authentic beige Leather seats and 16-inch multi-spoke alloy rims.
  • 1.8 G – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with wood grain trims, same specifications and features as 1.8E trim with the addition of Cruise Control, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.
  • 1.8 S – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, same specifications and features as 1.8E trim with the addition of sporty Black leather seats, elimination of wood grain accents trimmed on the interior, new sporty chrome-metal ball-shape gear knob, side skirts and rear spoiler.
The Corolla Altis was facelifted for the second time in June 2006, Exterior changes include another redesigned grille, redesigned chrome rear license plate ornament, a new third LED brake light, new optitron instrument cluster design for higher grades and new audio switches on the steering wheel. The trims remained the same as the first facelift model, but the 1.8S grade gained with Touchscreen head unit with AM/FM/CD/AUX functionality with capability of playing DVDs. Meanwhile, the ABS with EBD safety feature was added back to the 1.6E grade and the 1.6J Plus was removed from the lineup. The taxi-only Limo gets the first facelift Altis grille design in October 2006, it gained some features such as power windows, door locks, single-din AM/FM radio with CD player and 14-inch alloy rims that is similar to the Corolla 1.6J model from 2001. It is now powered by the 1.6 3ZZ-FE engine paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission similar to the Regular Corolla and Corolla Altis models.
Marketed as Corolla:
  • 1.6 J – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 3-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, includes tachometer, power steering, windows, door locks and mirrors with power retractable function on automatic variant, colour-keyed door handles, standard instrument cluster panel, double-din AM/FM radio with CD player and Auxiliary input, manual linear-type airconditioning system, gray Fabric seats, 15-inch alloy wheels.
Marketed as Corolla Altis:
  • 1.6 E – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 3-spoke polyurethane steering wheel, same specifications and features with the 1.6J trim with the inclusion of beige Fabric seats, height adjustment on driver's seat, ABS with EBD and Toyota Vehicle Security System with auto alarm function.
  • 1.6 G – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-spoke urethane steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6E with the inclusion of Dual SRS airbags, chrome door handles and full-logic automatic climate control.
  • 1.6 G Limited – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6G with the inclusion of wood grain accents trimmed on the interior and authentic beige Leather seats.
  • 1.8 E – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with wood grain trims, same features as the 1.6G with the inclusion of a redesigned optitron instrument cluster panel, double-din AM/FM radio with CD player capable of playing 6 CDs and Auxiliary Input and 16-inch multi-spoke alloy rims.
  • 1.8 G – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, same specifications and features as 1.8E trim with the addition of Cruise Control, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control.
  • 1.8 S – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT, 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with sporty black colour, same specifications and features as 1.8G trim with the addition of Touchscreen head unit with AM/FM/CD/AUX functionality with capability of playing DVDs, sporty Black leather seats, elimination of wood grain accents trimmed on the interior, side skirts and rear spoiler.