Toyota Corolla (E120)

Japan

For the Japanese market, trim levels for the Corolla Sedan were X Assista Package(Base), X, G, and Luxel. In 2003, 1.5-liter 4WD sedans were made available in the Japanese market.

The station wagon model is called the Corolla Fielder in Japan and the five-door hatch is called the Corolla RunX, launching 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 Vista Store locations, and sold next to the WiLL VS, while the Corolla RunX was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations.

JDM Corolla RunX trim levels are: RunX X (1500 cc 1NZFE engine), RunX S (1800 cc 1ZZFE engine) & RunX Z as well as RunX Z Aero (1800 cc 2ZZGE engine).

The first two of three JDM 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 1NZFE engine, the middle range featuring the 1800 cc 1ZZFE engine & the Allex RS180 featuring the 1800 cc 2ZZGE engine. Allex models offered a different colour range & 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.

All RunX & Allex models featured ABS & driver/passenger airbags as well as all auto windows & tinted rear glass as standard.

The RunX X & Allex (base) models featured 14" steel wheels with optional alloys, optional side, front & rear skirting, automatic or manual gearbox options, & manual A/C.

RunX S & Allex (mid range) models featured 15" steel wheels with optional 16" alloys, optional side, front & rear skirting, automatic or manual gearbox options, optional front fog lamps, manual or automatic climate controlled A/C.

RunX Z, Z Aero & Allex RS180 models featured 15" steel wheels or optional 16" alloys, optional (but mostly purchased as standard) side, front & rear skirting & automatic climate controlled A/C as standard. These models offered an extra 4 speed tiptronic automatic or 6 speed manual transmission, opposing the rest of the lineup.

The Corolla Spacio (Verso in Europe) 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 taillamp design.

Australasia

The E120 Corolla sold in Australia was available as a sedan, wagon and five-door hatchback (Seca). Trim levels offered were the Ascent, Ascent Sport, Conquest, and Ultima. A small number of models were built in South Africa, with the high-performance Sportivo (hatchback only) built exclusively in South Africa. South African-built Corollas will carry 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 100 to 93 kW (134 to 125 hp) and from 171 to 161 N·m (126 to 119 lb·ft) to comply with Euro IV. From May 2006, the Ascent and Ascent Sport models were upgraded with standard front power windows and passenger air bag, 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-liter 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-liter 2ZZ-GE engine was available in certain countries.

European/Israeli/Moroccan market engines:

Asia

An upmarket version of the ninth-generation Corolla, dubbed the Corolla Altis, is manufactured and sold in countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. It debuted in late 2001 as model year 2002 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 (110 bhp), 1.6 L 3ZZ-FE engine and the 100 kW (134 bhp), 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE engine, both with VVT-i technology.

In 2004, 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 (auto climate control became a standard feature in lower end variants). 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. A new aerokit and new wing mirrors with signal indicators (similar to the 2007 Camry) is available as an optional package in Malaysia.

A low end variant of the Corolla Altis is also branded as the Toyota Limo, featuring lower spec and intended for taxi business in Thailand. It is not to be confused with the low end taxi version of the Toyota Vios which is also called Toyota Limo in Indonesia.

In Malaysia, the eighth-generation Corolla Altis was introduced in late 2002. Notably in Malaysia the models sold had tail lights that are identical to the models that are sold outside of Asia & Southeast Asia. It features three-round insets for the tail lamps instead of the standard single round inset used in other Asian markets. These were later replaced with the standard single round insets. Both the 1.6 L and 1.8 L models were sold in Malaysia.

In Singapore, Toyota's exclusive authorised dealer Borneo Motors originally sold the Japanese version of the Corolla, but later replaced it with the Corolla Altis in 2004.

In terms of product lifespan ( production lasted for seven years ) and number of units sold, the Corolla Altis easily outlived its Corolla predecessors, making it currently the most popular Corolla variant/generation in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN engines:

The Corolla E120 continued to be sold in China as the Corolla EX until 2017 through Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. alongside the newer tenth-generation Corolla. It was also known as the 花冠 (Hua Guan) which is a direct translation of 'Corolla' (crown of the flower) in Mandarin Chinese. Three trim levels were available namely: Value, Excellence & Elegance. The Excellence and Elegance editions were offered with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox while the Value edition was only available in manual transmission. The Corolla EX was powered by a 1ZR-FE dual VVT-i engine. The production of the Corolla EX ended on 17 February 2017.

North America

In 1998, Toyota Masao Saito's E120 design proposal was chosen and frozen for production in early 1999, with patents filed on 22 July 1999 at the Japan Patent Office under patent number 1120997. The North American model was designed to be bigger than the Japanese Corolla, and was based on the Corolla Altis distributed in Southeast Asia. It came to the United States in March 2002 for the 2003 model year, following its unveiling at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in January. Trim levels offered are CE, LE, and S, continuing from the previous generation. Production for the ninth-generation Corolla ended in 2008, with the tenth-generation Corolla introduced mid-2008 as a 2009 model. The Corolla used an updated version of the 1ZZ-FE, with power increased to 130 hp. The Corolla grew in height from the previous generation, and the S trim level featured sportier front and rear bumpers and side skirts, as well as fog lights. For the 2005 model year, the styling was refreshed with a new grille, rear taillights, wheel covers, and interior accents.

This was the first generation of the Corolla to be available in Mexico, and was offered in 3 trim levels: the base CE, the mid-range LE and S, the latter only available with a manual transmission.

North American market engines:

Shown as a concept in November 2003, a sporty XRS model (ZZE131), introduced in 2004 between the 2005 and 2006 model years only, featured the high-revving 127 kW (170 bhp) at 7600 rpm, 172 N·m (127 lb·ft) at 4400 rpm 2ZZ-GE engine and 6-speed manual from the Toyota Celica GT-S and Lotus Elise. The 2ZZ-GE motor was actually developed with collaboration from Yamaha motors (like other wide-angle head GE, GTE, and GZE Toyota engines), and uses similar technologies found in its sibling motor the 1ZZ-FE. The XRS was very similar to its Corolla S cousin in appearance, however there are significant changes to the mechanical components. The 2ZZ-GE uses a cable throttle (unlike the electronic throttle control of the 2ZZ-GE in the later years of the Celica GT-S) with a lift set-point at 6700 rpm and an 8200 rpm redline. The close ratio C60 6-speed manual transmission, also found in the Toyota Matrix XRS, was the only transmission available. The sport-tuned suspension lowered the Corolla XRS by 12.7 millimetres (0.5 in). A Yamaha designed brace spans the front strut towers as well as a X-Brace for the rear towers. The steering column is thicker and the power steering system is unique.

The rear drum brakes from the S (and other Corolla trims) were replaced with the drum in disc brakes from the Celica GT-S and the ABS system was upgraded to a four-channel with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). Absent are Traction Control and Stability Control Systems (VSC). The Corolla XRS was given 5 spoke 16-inch painted aluminum alloy wheels (similar to the Matrix) and shod with Michelin Pilot Primacy P195/55-R16 summer performance tires and equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The wheels are the most noticeable difference in exterior appearance from the Corolla S that features 6-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior differences being the key colored grill surround (other trims have chrome), XRS badge at the back, rear discs, and the slightly lowered appearance.

The interior features a three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, leather shift knob, and leather shift boot from the Matrix XRS. Optitron gauges like those found in Lexus vehicles replaced the standard gauge set with white numbers and red markings and needles for a sporty appearance. The interior has dark blue plastic with silver accenting and beige pillars from the bottom of the windows to the beige headliner. The dashboard is black. The front seats were replaced with manually adjustable sports seats with more side bolster. The 4 main seats are black cloth with a blue hexagon pattern and black cloth sides. Interestingly, the front floor mats are from the Corolla S. Due to the rear X-Brace, the rear seats do not fold 60-40 like those found in the other Corolla trims. Color choices for the Corolla XRS were: Super White II, Silver Streak Mica, Phantom Gray Pearl, Black Sand Pearl, Impulse Red Pearl, and Indigo Ink Pearl.

The Corolla XRS was on sale in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Toyota estimated to sell approximately 5000 Corolla XRS per year. Production numbers have not been released, however it has been speculated that less than 7000 were produced (unofficially estimated at 6619 units). Unofficially, Toyota Canada has disclosed that 818 were sold MY (model year) 2005 and only 279 MY 2006, bringing a total of 1097 Corolla XRS being sold in the country over the 2 model years. This limited production and minimal exterior differences resulted in the Corolla XRS being a unique sleeper hiding among the extremely common Corolla S and is the final outright performance designed model from Toyota that was targeted towards "single male buyers" before the complete switch to the Toyotas' Scion youth oriented brand.

The Corolla XRS introduced in 2009 as a successor used the 2.4L 2AZ-FE from the Toyota Camry and Scion tC and was available with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. While the 2009 Corolla XRS caters to a greater range of customers with the available automatic transmission it is also significantly slower and although its design intentions are similar, it is a different car from the original 2005–2006 Corolla XRS.

To commemorate 20 years of building Toyota Corolla in Canada, Toyota Canada offered the 20th Anniversary Edition Corolla CE for the 2008 model year, which includes power door locks with keyless entry, cruise control, power windows with driver's side auto down, special edition badging, aluminium alloy wheels and power sunroof.

South America

In Brazil, the Corolla sedan and the Corolla Fielder wagon are built locally. It is available with the 1.6L 3ZZ-FE engine (sedan only) and the 1.8L 1ZZ-FE. The sedan is externally identical to both US and ASEAN (Altis) models, but the Fielder has different styling from the Japanese version. Starting from the 2008 model (released May 2007), the 1.8L engine has flexible fuel technology. Unlike most other flexible fuel vehicles in Brazilian market, the Corolla Flex has the same power ratings either with ethanol or gasoline.