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Toyota Corolla
By John Pearley Huffman

Lately the marketing types of the world have been

PHOTOS calling it "brand equity," but in the real world it's always
been plain old reputation. Carmakers don't get a good
reputation just by showing up, they develop one over
years by delivering either great or lousy products,
treating customers right or like cattle and building cars
people either want or ignore. Great word of mouth is a
manufacturer's best asset, while a lousy rep is almost
(Enlarge photo) impossible to overcome.
1968 Corolla Deluxe coupe

No manufacturer is better known for building stalwart,

reliable cars than Toyota. And the car that built that
reputation was the Corolla.

Just about everyone seems to have a Corolla in their

past. Maybe it was the beater you drove through high
(Enlarge photo) school, never once changing the oil, cleaning the interior
1969 Corolla wagon or asking the squirrels to move from their nest in the
trunk. Perhaps it was the first new car you bought with
just 60 easy payments, or the car your grandmother
drove when she decided to simplify her life in
retirement. Corollas have been practically ubiquitous
and never terribly exciting.

(Enlarge photo) Except for the Land Cruiser, the Corolla name is the
1976 Corolla SR5 sport coupe oldest in Toyota's current inventory of American
products. It's also the first car Toyota made in America.
And with over 30 million Corollas sold worldwide, it's
the most popular car line in history.

First Generation (1968-1969)

 
(Enlarge photo)
1977 Corolla sedan
Extreme simplicity was at the core of the first Corolla's
engineering. Introduced during 1966 in Japan, the first
Corolla came to the United States in the summer of 1968
riding on a 90-inch wheelbase in two-door coupe, four-
door sedan and two-door wagon body styles. It was the
smallest car Toyota had sold in America up until that
time. A 60-horsepower, 1.1-liter overhead valve four-
(Enlarge photo) cylinder mounted longitudinally in the engine bay sent
1987 Corolla FX16 GT-S power to a four-speed manual transmission and then to a
solid rear axle. An automatic transmission wasn't yet on
the options list.
 The first Corolla's unibody structure had a strut front
suspension and mounted the rear axle on a pair of leaf
springs. There was nothing sophisticated about the first
(Enlarge photo)
1991 Corolla LE sedan Corolla and it wasn't pretty, but it was so simple that
there were almost no parts to break.

Toyota worked hard through the '60s to overcome the

then common perception that Japanese products were
shoddy. And cars such as the compact Corona did an
effective job of making that point. The Corolla, with
prices starting under $1,700, showed that even when
(Enlarge photo)
1993 Corolla sedan Toyota built a smaller, cheaper car, quality didn't suffer.

Second Generation (1970-1974)

As good a car as the first Corolla was, it was really too small
and underpowered for North American tastes. The second
Corolla showed up for the 1970 model year with a wheelbase
(Enlarge photo) stretched to 91.9 inches and power coming from a new 1.2-
2001 Corolla LE sedan
liter version of the OHV four making 73 horsepower. The strut
front and leaf spring rear suspension carried forward.

Slight though the nearly two-inch wheelbase stretch may

seem, and with minimal styling changes, the 1970 Corolla
was a significantly more comfortable and confident machine
than the '69 version, and an automatic transmission was now
offered to widen its appeal. It quickly became the second
(Enlarge photo) best-selling car on the planet.
2003 Corolla S sedan
The Corolla got even better during the 1971 model year as
the engine grew to 1.6 liters and output expanded to 102
horsepower. The grille was redesigned for the 1972 model
year, becoming fussier to no great aesthetic advantage.
There were few changes for either 1973 or 1974 other than
larger bumpers to accommodate federal regulations and
the introduction of sporty SR5 models with five-speed
manual transmissions.

Third Generation (1975-1978)

Rather bizarrely styled, the 1975 Corollas featured a raised

center section in the grille that carried back to more angular
bodies. But then again, a lot of cars from the '70s were
bizarrely styled.

A total of five Corolla models was available for 1975. The

price leader, a two-door sedan powered by a 1.2-liter engine,
was joined by a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, a sport-
oriented SR5 hardtop and a five-door station wagon — all
powered by the 1.6-liter four. The standard transmission in all
models, except the SR5, was a four-speed manual. A five-
speed manual was again standard in the SR5 and optional in
the other Corollas. A three-speed automatic was also
available. Emissions standards were stiffening during the
mid-'70s and a catalytic converter was included in the '75
Corolla for the first time.

A new three-door hatchback was added to the Corolla line for

1976. Called the "Liftback" by Toyota, it looked a bit like a
sporty two-door station wagon instead of a traditional
fastback or economy car like a Ford Pinto. With a split fold-
down rear seat, Toyota hoped the Liftback would account for
up to 30 percent of Corolla sales in the United States.

Also introduced for '76, and sharing its front-end styling with
the Liftback, was a new Corolla Sport Coupe in both standard
and SR5 configurations. The fastback styling of the Sport
Coupe gave Toyota a sporty car to sell that was slightly less
expensive than the larger Celica.

Front-end styling of the sedans and wagons was modified for

1977 with a more conventional grille but these were never
particularly attractive cars; they were overwrought in their
details and undistinguished in their shapes. But they seemed
to run forever.

The third-generation Corolla played out its life virtually

unchanged during the 1978 model year.

Fourth Generation (1979-1983)

With a new chassis, the 1979 Corolla was a more

sophisticated and satisfying car than any Corolla before it.
But before this generation was through, it would get better
still.

The 1979 Corolla finally dispensed with the rugged but

primitive leaf spring rear suspension in favor of a more
compliant coil spring system (the station wagon continued to
use the leaves). The new unibody above that suspension
was larger (the wheelbase was now 94.5 inches), stronger
and more attractive in a boxy, clean-cut sort of way. A new
75-horsepower, 1.8-liter version of the OHV four powered the
new Corolla with four- and five-speed manual and three-
speed automatic transmissions available.

Particularly attractive during this generation was the SR5 in

Sport Coupe, Hatchback and Liftback semiwagon
configurations. With their effective use of detailing, they
looked more expensive than they actually were.

While the 1980 and 1981 Corolla lines carried over from 1979
intact, in 1982 the automatic transmission was upgraded to a
four-speed unit — a rare level of sophistication for an
economy car of the era.

was a new 1.6-liter

The big Corolla news for 1983
overhead cam engine that was both smoother and more
powerful than the previous 1.8. But it was only a hint of
what was to come next.

Fifth Generation (1984-1987)

Toyota finally succumbed to the emerging front-drive

orthodoxy of the '80s with the introduction of the front-drive
Corolla sedan for 1984. However, the SR5 Coupe and
Liftback and the station wagon continued atop the previous-
generation Corolla's rear-drive chassis.

The front-drive Corolla was as conventional as it had been in

a rear-driver layout. The same 1.6-liter, SOHC engine used in
the rear-drive Corolla sat transversely in the front-driver's
engine bay feeding either a five-speed manual or four-speed
automatic transmission. The rear was held up on coil springs.
A few early fifth-generation front-drive Corollas were powered
by a four-cylinder diesel.

Midway through the 1984 model year, the rear-drive Corolla

coupe and Liftback were offered with a new dual-overhead
cam, 16-valve version of the 1.6-liter four rated at a robust
124 horsepower. The resulting Corolla GT-S is now a classic
of sorts, a highly tossable, fun-to-drive vehicle that has
attracted a cult following of "drifters" who slide their vehicles
through corners as a motorsport form in Japan. This DOHC
engine, along with the front-drive Corolla's five-speed
transaxle, also served as the drivetrain in the midengine
MR2, which came to America in early 1985.

Through 1985 and 1986, the Corolla lineup stayed pretty

much intact. Then in 1987 a new front-drive Corolla "FX"
coupe was introduced. Produced at the NUMMI joint
venture production plant in California (run by both
Toyota and General Motors), the FX was a conventional
hatchback in the Volkswagen Rabbit mold and was
available with either the SOHC or DOHC, 1.6-liter
engine. When equipped with the DOHC engine, it was
known as the FX16. The FX also marked the start of
Corolla production in North America.

Sixth Generation (1988-1992)

With the 1988 redesign, the rear-drive Corolla coupe and

Liftback were replaced with a new front-drive coupe. While
enthusiasts wept, the new Corolla coupe and Corolla GT-S
were in fact significantly more refined and capable than the
rear-drivers they replaced. They just weren't as much fun.

More conservatively styled than the ultraboxy fifth-generation

sedan, the sixth-generation sedan was now built at both the
NUMMI plant in California and in Japan, while the coupes
and wagons came only from Japan. The station wagon was
available with either front-wheel drive or full-time All-Trac all-
wheel drive. Trim levels were base DX and better-equipped
LE for the sedan, DX and SR5 for the wagon and SR5 and
GT-S for the coupe. The FX hatchback was still part of the
mix, though it was discontinued after a year.

The sixth-generation Corolla was built using the same 95.6-

inch wheelbase as the fifth, but it was almost an inch wider. A
slightly different version of the Corolla body (sold in Japan as
the Sprinter) with identical mechanical pieces would be built
at the NUMMI plant and branded the Geo Prizm. Sedans,
coupes and front-drive wagons rode on a fully independent
strut suspension, while the All-Trac wagons retained a solid
rear axle with coil springs.

All engines were DOHC, 16-valve inline four-cylinders — the

sedans, front-drive wagon and SR5 coupe got a carbureted
90-hp motor; the All-Trac wagons got a fuel-injected 100-hp
version and the GT-S won the day with a 115-hp EFI version.
Transmission choices were familiar — a standard five-speed
manual with the option of a three- or four-speed automatic,
depending on the trim level. Thirteen-inch wheels were
standard, though the GT-S got 14-inch wheels, as well as
four-wheel disc brakes and a six-way adjustable driver seat
with sport bolstering. Otherwise, equipment levels on the
sixth-generation Corolla were a bit spartan by today's
standards as most conveniences, like air conditioning, power
steering, dual outside mirrors and a stereo, were optional.

There were no changes for 1989, except for the addition of

an All-Trac sedan to the lineup; it lasted only a year. All
Corollas benefited from fuel injection in 1990, and the base
engine was now rated for 102 hp. Meanwhile, the GT-S
enjoyed a significant bump in horsepower — now measured
at 130 — and five additional lb-ft of torque for a total of 105.
In addition, an entry-level standard sedan was added to the
lineup — it had all the basic Corolla equipment, including
cloth upholstery, but wore a skinnier set of tires and could
only be optioned with the three-speed automatic if you didn't
want to shift your own gears.

The coupes were discontinued after the 1991 model year.

Aside from a few new paint colors, the only change for 1992
was that you could only get the highline LE sedan with
the four-speed automatic.

Seventh Generation (1993-1997)

 
Significantly larger than the car it replaced (it rode on a 97.0-
inch wheelbase), the 1993 Corolla sedan and wagon moved
up a size classification from "subcompact" to "compact"
according to the EPA. But there were no more Corolla
coupes or all-wheel-drive wagons. Sedans were offered in
standard, DX and LE trim, while a front-wheel-drive wagon
was offered in DX trim only. All cars rode on a fully
independent suspension, though DX and LE models
benefited from an additional stabilizer bar in front.

Power for the basic Corolla sedan came from the same 1.6-
liter engine used in the sixth-generation car (output was 105
hp, except in California, Massachusetts and New York, where
it was rated for just 100 due to more stringent emissions
requirements), but a new 1.8-liter, DOHC, 16-valve four
making 115 horsepower was offered in the ritzier Corolla DX
and LE models. A five-speed manual was standard, with a
three-speed autobox optional on the base sedan and a four-
speed optional on all other models. All cars came with 14-
inch wheels and front disc/rear drum brakes; ABS was
optional across the line. Height-adjustable seatbelts and a
driver-side front airbag were standard in '93; the front
passenger got one, too, in 1994. Also new that year were
locking retractor seatbelts in passengers' positions and CFC-
free refrigerant for cars with air conditioning.

The DX sedan got new upholstery, all audio systems were

redesigned and the 1.8-liter engine lost 10 horsepower for
1995 in order to comply with stricter emissions regulations,
but it did get a smidge more torque for a total of 117 lb-ft
(versus 115 previously). The LE model was discontinued for
1996. Additionally, the front grille received a color-
keyed frame and the taillight panels were revised with
the DX getting a full-width treatment (the base sedan
got gray cladding). Inside, the interior trim was revised,
and an integrated child seat was added to the options
list. Upgrades to the manual transmission yielded
shorter throws, improved feel and more positive gear
engagement.

In 1997, the DX wagon was dropped, but a special CE

(Classic Edition) sedan was offered and it incorporated a
number of popular features in one value-priced package.
Among the standard goodies were power windows and
locks, A/C, power steering, a four-speaker stereo,
manual remote mirrors and special floor mats and
exterior badging. All models received additional side-
impact protection to meet new federal standards. And
for the first time, during '97, all the Corollas sold in the
United States were built in North America at the
NUMMI plant in California and the TMMC plant in
Canada. By the end of the 1997 model year, the Corolla
had become the best-selling nameplate in automotive
history, overtaking the VW Beetle.

Eighth Generation (1998-2002)

The Corolla grew again in its eighth iteration, but it managed

to lose some weight and increase its fuel mileage thanks to a
new engine and a generally more efficient drivetrain. The big
chunk of that weight savings and drivetrain efficiency came in
the form of an all-new, all-aluminum 1.8-liter DOHC four-
cylinder engine rated at a healthy 120 horsepower — exactly
twice what the engine in the first Corolla was rated back in
1968. Fuel economy was improved by 10 percent over the
previous generation; with the standard five-speed manual, a
Corolla could pull down 31 mpg in the city and 38 on the
highway.

Only a sedan was offered this time around, and there were
three trim levels — base VE, midlevel CE and highline LE.
The VE was stuck with an optional three-speed automatic,
while CE and LE buyers qualified for the four-speed unit.
Equipment levels were much the same as on the previous
generation, though base cars now came with power steering
and dual exterior mirrors. ABS remained optional on all
models, and there were new extras like side airbags and a
CD player.

With its simple yet elegant exterior, and handsome interior,

the 1998 Corolla was a mature machine among such
adolescent competitors as the Honda Civic and Nissan
Sentra. It was also comparatively expensive and short on
rear-seat legroom, but sales remained strong, with Toyota
putting 248,195 Corollas into customers' garages during
1998. The nearly identical Prizm (now badged as a
Chevrolet) continued to be built alongside the Corolla at
NUMMI.

Changes for 1999 were minor. The VE model was given a

cassette stereo, and the LE now came standard with last
year's Touring Package items, including a front stabilizer bar,
wider 14-inch tires, a tachometer and various exterior
cosmetic enhancements. In 2000, the company added its
VVT-i variable valve timing system to the 1.8-liter engine,
which boosted output to 125 horsepower, made for a fatter
torque curve and allowed the Corolla to achieve low emission
vehicle (LEV) status. New front and rear fascias, headlights
and taillights appeared in 2001, as did a quasisporty S
version of this popular compact. S models came with unique
wheel covers, foglights, intermittent wipers and color-keyed
moldings, mudguards and grille. Inside, it offered sportier
upholstery, a tachometer and a faux leather-wrapped wheel.
In sum, the S was more about cosmetic upgrades than actual
sport. Meanwhile, the base VE model disappeared — the CE
took its place, along with its unloved three-speed automatic.
For 2002, the Corolla line was unchanged, though
 Toyota lowered the prices for the optional value
packages.

Ninth Generation (2003-Present)

While Toyota claims its 2003 Corolla sedan has been

designed to attract younger buyers, it actually looks like a
shrunken Camry. Available as a base CE, luxury LE or
somewhat sporty S, the new Corolla rides on a 102.4-inch
wheelbase, which is more than five inches longer than the
Corolla it replaces, and just 0.7 inch shorter than the current
Honda Civic sedan. But 178.3 inches in overall length, it's 3.7
inches longer than the Civic. In fact, this new Corolla has
exactly the same wheelbase as the original 1983 Camry and
stretches out 2.7 inches longer than that car.

The new Corolla's structural integrity would have been

impressive in a Lexus a few years ago. The strut front and
torsion beam rear suspension are ordinary, but it's poised
and the front disc/rear drum brakes work well (ABS with
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution is optional on all Corollas).
Add in excellent rack-and-pinion steering, and this is as close
to a luxury car ride as any small economy sedan has ever
offered. The Corolla still isn't as sharp a handler as some
competitors (Mazda Protegé, Nissan Sentra and Ford Focus,
for example), but that doesn't matter to the primary audience.

The engine is an evolutionary development of the all-

aluminum 1.8-liter, DOHC, 16-valve engine from the previous
Corolla and is now rated at 130 horsepower. The five-speed
manual transmission's shifter is precise, and even the base
CE-grade Corolla has four gears in its optional automatic.
Equipment levels are up, too; the CE comes with air
conditioning with micron filtration, a CD player, power mirrors
and 15-inch wheels. The LE even comes with fake wood
accents and can be optioned with leather upholstery.

Compared to the wide variety of Corollas available in years

past, 2003's trio of sedans seems sparse. But like every
Corolla before them, they're built to provide years of trouble-
free driving. They're also more comfortable — and roomier —
than ever.

THE TOYOTA COROLLA DEBUTS IN

1966 THE HISTORY OF THE TOYOTA
1966 COROLLA
1966: Introduced in Japan

1968: The first Corolla came to the United

States in the summer of 1968 riding on a 90-
inch wheelbase in two-door coupe, four-door
 sedan and two-door wagon body styles. It
was the smallest car Toyota had sold in
America up until that time. A 60-horsepower,
1.1-liter overhead valve four-cylinder
mounted longitudinally in the engine bay
sent power to a four-speed manual
transmission and then to a solid rear axle.
 
The first Corolla's unibody structure had a
1968
strut front suspension and mounted the rear
axle on a pair of leaf springs.

1970: The second Corolla showed up for the

1970 model year with a wheelbase stretched
to 91.9 inches and power coming from a new
1.2-liter version of the OHV four making 73
horsepower. The strut front and leaf spring
rear suspension carried forward.

  1971: The Corolla got even better during

1970 the 1971 model year as the engine grew to
1.6 liters and output expanded to 102
horsepower.

1972: The grille was redesigned for the

1972 model year, becoming fussier to no
great aesthetic advantage.

1973-74: There were few changes for

  either 1973 or 1974 other than larger
1971 bumpers to accommodate federal regulations
and the introduction of sporty SR5 models
with five-speed manual transmissions.

1975: A total of five Corolla models was

available for 1975. The price leader, a two-
door sedan powered by a 1.2-liter engine,
was joined by a four-door sedan, a two-door
hardtop, a sport-oriented SR5 hardtop and a
five-door station wagon — all powered by
  the 1.6-liter four. The standard transmission
1972 in all models, except the SR5, was a four-
speed manual. A five-speed manual was
again standard in the SR5 and optional in the
other Corollas. A three-speed automatic was
also available. Emissions standards were
stiffening during the mid-'70s and a catalytic
converter was included in the '75 Corolla for
 the first time.

1976: A new three-door hatchback was

added to the Corolla line for 1976, called the
"Liftback". Also introduced for '76, and
sharing its front-end styling with the Liftback,
was a new Corolla Sport Coupe in both
standard and SR5 configurations. The
  fastback styling of the Sport Coupe gave
1975 Toyota a sporty car to sell that was slightly
less expensive than the larger Celica.

1977: Front-end styling of the sedans and

wagons was modified for 1977 with a more
conventional grille but these were never
particularly attractive cars; they were
overwrought in their details and
undistinguished in their shapes. But they
  seemed to run forever.
1976
1978: No major changes.

1979: The Corolla finally dispensed with the

rugged but primitive leaf spring rear
suspension in favor of a more compliant coil
spring system (the station wagon continued
to use the leaves). The new unibody above
that suspension was larger (the wheelbase
was now 94.5 inches), stronger and more
  attractive in a boxy, clean-cut sort of way. A
1979 new 75-horsepower, 1.8-liter version of the
OHV four powered the new Corolla with four-
and five-speed manual and three-speed
automatic transmissions available.

1980: No major changes.

1981: No major changes.

1982: The automatic transmission was

  upgraded to a four-speed unit.
1986
1983: The Corolla was upgraded with a new
1.6-liter overhead cam engine that was both
smoother and more powerful than the
previous 1.8.
 1984: Introduction of the front-drive Corolla
sedan for 1984. However, the SR5 Coupe
and Liftback and the station wagon
continued atop the previous-generation
Corolla's rear-drive chassis. The front-drive
Corolla was as conventional as it had been in
a rear-driver layout. The same 1.6-liter,
SOHC engine used in the rear-drive Corolla
  sat transversely in the front-driver's engine
1987 bay feeding either a five-speed manual or
four-speed automatic transmission. The rear
was held up on coil springs. A few early fifth-
generation front-drive Corollas were powered
by a four-cylinder diesel.

Midway through the 1984 model year, the

rear-drive Corolla coupe and Liftback were
offered with a new dual-overhead cam, 16-
  valve version of the 1.6-liter four rated at a
1991 robust 124 horsepower. This DOHC engine,
along with the front-drive Corolla's five-speed
transaxle, also served as the drivetrain in the
midengine MR2, which came to America in
early 1985.

1985: No major changes.

1986: No major changes.

  1987: A new front-drive Corolla "FX" coupe

1993 was introduced. Produced at the NUMMI
joint venture production plant in California
(run by both Toyota and General Motors),
the FX was a conventional hatchback in the
Volkswagen Rabbit mold and was available
with either the SOHC or DOHC, 1.6-liter
engine. When equipped with the DOHC
engine, it was known as the FX16. The FX
also marked the start of Corolla production in
  North America.
2000
1988: The rear-drive Corolla coupe and
Liftback were replaced with a new front-drive
coupe. The station wagon was available with
either front-wheel drive or full-time All-Trac
all-wheel drive. Trim levels were base DX
and better-equipped LE for the sedan, DX
 and SR5 for the wagon and SR5 and GT-S for
the coupe. The FX hatchback was still part of
the mix, though it was discontinued after a
year. All engines were DOHC, 16-valve inline
four-cylinders — the sedans, front-drive
wagon and SR5 coupe got a carbureted 90-
hp motor; the All-Trac wagons got a fuel-
injected 100-hp version and the GT-S won
  the day with a 115-hp EFI version.
2001 Transmission choices were familiar — a
standard five-speed manual with the option
of a three- or four-speed automatic,
depending on the trim level. Thirteen-inch
wheels were standard, though the GT-S got
14-inch wheels, as well as four-wheel disc
brakes and a six-way adjustable driver seat
with sport bolstering.

  1989: No major changes.

2003
1990: All Corollas benefited from fuel
injection in 1990, and the base engine was
now rated for 102 hp. Meanwhile, the GT-S
enjoyed a significant bump in horsepower —
now measured at 130 — and five additional
lb-ft of torque for a total of 105. In addition,
an entry-level standard sedan was added to
the lineup — it had all the basic Corolla
equipment, including cloth upholstery, but
  wore a skinnier set of tires and could only be
2004 optioned with the three-speed automatic if
you didn't want to shift your own gears.

1991: Last year for the coupes. No other

major changes.

1992: No major changes.

1993: Significantly larger than the car it

replaced (it rode on a 97.0-inch wheelbase),
the 1993 Corolla sedan and wagon moved up
a size classification from "subcompact" to
"compact" according to the EPA. Power for
the basic Corolla sedan came from the same
1.6-liter engine used in the sixth-generation
car, but a new 1.8-liter, DOHC, 16-valve four
making 115 horsepower was offered in the
ritzier Corolla DX and LE models. A five-
speed manual was standard, with a three-
speed autobox optional on the base sedan
and a four-speed optional on all other
models.

1994: New this year were locking retractor

seatbelts in passengers' positions and CFC-
free refrigerant for cars with air conditioning.

1995: The DX sedan got new upholstery, all

audio systems were redesigned and the 1.8-
liter engine lost 10 horsepower for 1995
order to comply with stricter emissions
regulations, but it did get a smidge more
torque for a total of 117 lb-ft (versus 115
previously).

1996: The LE model was discontinued.

Additionally, the front grille received a color-
keyed frame and the taillight panels were
revised with the DX getting a full-width
treatment. Inside, the interior trim was
revised, and an integrated child seat was
added to the options list. Upgrades to the
manual transmission yielded shorter throws,
improved feel and more positive gear
engagement.

1997: The DX wagon was dropped, but a

special CE (Classic Edition) sedan was
offered and it incorporated a number of
popular features in one value-priced
package. Among the standard goodies were
power windows and locks, A/C, power
steering, a four-speaker stereo, manual
remote mirrors and special floor mats and
exterior badging. All models received
additional side-impact protection to meet
new federal standards.

1998: The Corolla grew again in its eighth

iteration, with an all-new, all-aluminum 1.8-
liter DOHC four-cylinder engine rated at a
healthy 120 horsepower — exactly twice
what the engine in the first Corolla was rated
back in 1968. Only a sedan was offered this
time around, and there were three trim
levels — base VE, midlevel CE and highline
LE. The VE was stuck with an optional three-
speed automatic, while CE and LE buyers
qualified for the four-speed unit.

1999: Changes for 1999 were minor. The VE

model was given a cassette stereo, and the
LE now came standard with last year's
Touring Package items, including a front
stabilizer bar, wider 14-inch tires, a
tachometer and various exterior cosmetic
enhancements.

2000: The company added its VVT-i variable

valve timing system to the 1.8-liter engine,
which boosted output to 125 horsepower,
made for a fatter torque curve and allowed
the Corolla to achieve low emission vehicle
(LEV) status.

2001: New front and rear fascias, headlights

and taillights appeared in 2001, as did a
quasisporty S version of this popular
compact. S models came with unique wheel
covers, foglights, intermittent wipers and
color-keyed moldings, mudguards and grille.
Inside, it offered sportier upholstery, a
tachometer and a faux leather-wrapped
wheel. In sum, the S was more about
cosmetic upgrades than actual sport.
Meanwhile, the base VE model disappeared
— the CE took its place, along with its
unloved three-speed automatic.

2002: The Corolla line was unchanged,

though Toyota lowered the prices for the
optional value packages.

2003: Available as a base CE, luxury LE or

somewhat sporty S, the new Corolla rides on
a 102.4-inch wheelbase, which is more than
five inches longer than the Corolla it
replaces. The front disc/rear drum brakes
work well (ABS with Electronic Brakeforce
Distribution is optional on all Corollas). Add
in excellent rack-and-pinion steering, and
this is as close to a luxury car ride as any
small economy sedan has ever offered. The
engine is an evolutionary development of the
all-aluminum 1.8-liter, DOHC, 16-valve
engine from the previous Corolla and is now
rated at 130 horsepower. The five-speed
manual transmission's shifter is precise, and
even the base CE-grade Corolla has four
gears in its optional automatic.

2004: There's a lot to like about the sporty

2004 Toyota Corollas. Start with the fun-to-
drive Corolla S. Color-keyed underbody
spoilers and side rocker panels. Then check
out the refined LE and the affordable CE.
While each is a little different, they're never
at a loss for fun.