Toyota Corolla II: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Toyota Corolla II catalogue covers five generations of Hatchback 3-door models produced from May 1982 through August 1999. Choosing among them depends on priorities: the third generation contains the highest output listed here at 115 hp, the fourth offers the broadest selection with 16 versions, the fifth adds a 67 hp Turbo Diesel choice, and AWD appears from the second generation onward.
The Toyota Corolla II catalogue covers five generations of Hatchback 3-door models produced from May 1982 through August 1999. Choosing among them depends on priorities: the third generation contains the highest output listed here at 115 hp, the fourth offers the broadest selection with 16 versions, the fifth adds a 67 hp Turbo Diesel choice, and AWD appears from the second generation onward. Every generation uses four-cylinder engines where cylinder count is recorded, with displacements ranging from 1,295 to 1,496 cc.
Toyota Corolla II generations compared
The first generation, produced from May 1982 to April 1986, has three Hatchback 3-door versions. All use a 1,452 cc Gasoline engine producing 60 hp (45 kW). The choice is between 1.5 MT4 with Manual transmission and four gears, 1.5 MT5 with Manual transmission and five gears, and 1.5 AT with Automatic transmission and three gears. All are FWD. This generation is the simplest choice because engine output and drivetrain do not vary.
The second generation ran from May 1986 to August 1990 and includes four Hatchback 3-door versions. The 1.3 MT has a 1,295 cc Gasoline engine with 75 hp, four-speed Manual transmission, and FWD. Two 1.5 versions use a 1,452 cc Gasoline engine producing 85 hp: 1.5 MT has a five-speed Manual, while 1.5 AT has a three-speed Automatic; both are FWD. A separate 1.5 MT produces 90 hp, uses a six-speed Manual, and adds AWD. Relative to the 85 hp 1.5 MT, that AWD version provides 5 hp more and one additional gear.
The third generation, offered from September 1990 to August 1994, contains four Hatchback 3-door versions. Its 1,496 cc Gasoline choices produce either 105 hp (77 kW) and 127 Nm or 115 hp (85 kW) and 135 Nm. The 105 hp 1.5 MT combines a five-speed Manual with AWD, while the 105 hp 1.5 AT combines a four-speed Automatic with FWD. The 115 hp 1.5 MT and 115 hp 1.5 AT are both FWD, using five-speed Manual and four-speed Automatic transmissions respectively. Moving from 105 to 115 hp adds 10 hp and 8 Nm without increasing displacement.
The fourth generation ran from September 1994 to November 1997. It has 16 Hatchback 3-door versions in the catalogue, with 12 detailed in the supplied specifications. Its 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT versions are listed at either 97 hp (71 kW) and 113 Nm or 100 hp (74 kW) and 116 Nm. The 1,496 cc 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT alternatives span 97–105 hp and 113–127 Nm, with FWD and AWD configurations. This generation provides the greatest range of recorded kerb weights, ground clearances, transmissions, and drivetrains.
The fifth generation, produced from December 1997 to August 1999, has eight Hatchback 3-door versions. Its 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT use a 1,331 cc Gasoline engine with 85 hp (63 kW) and 118 Nm. The 1,496 cc Gasoline 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT versions are offered at 91 hp (67 kW) with 129 Nm in AWD form and at 94 hp (69 kW) with 132 Nm in FWD form. The remaining 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT use a 1,453 cc Turbo Diesel engine producing 67 hp (49 kW) and 137 Nm with FWD.
Toyota Corolla II engine and transmission specs
Because exact version names repeat within and between generations, output and generation are included below to distinguish them.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First: 1.5 MT4 | 60 hp | not measured | 1,452 cc | Gasoline | 4 / not measured | No | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| First: 1.5 MT5 | 60 hp | not measured | 1,452 cc | Gasoline | 4 / not measured | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First: 1.5 AT | 60 hp | not measured | 1,452 cc | Gasoline | 4 / not measured | No | Automatic, 3-speed | FWD |
| Second: 1.3 MT | 75 hp | not measured | 1,295 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| Second: 1.5 MT, 85 hp | 85 hp | not measured | 1,452 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second: 1.5 AT | 85 hp | not measured | 1,452 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Automatic, 3-speed | FWD |
| Second: 1.5 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | not measured | 1,452 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 6-speed | AWD |
| Third: 1.5 MT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 127 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Third: 1.5 AT, 105 hp | 105 hp | 127 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| Third: 1.5 MT, 115 hp | 115 hp | 135 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third: 1.5 AT, 115 hp | 115 hp | 135 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.3 MT, 97 hp | 97 hp | 113 Nm | 1,331 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.3 AT, 97 hp | 97 hp | 113 Nm | 1,331 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Automatic, 3-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.3 MT, 100 hp | 100 hp | 116 Nm | 1,331 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.3 AT, 100 hp | 100 hp | 116 Nm | 1,331 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Automatic, 3-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 MT, 97 hp | 97 hp | 113 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 AT, 97 hp | 97 hp | 113 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 MT, 100 hp | 100 hp | 126 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 AT, 100 hp | 100 hp | 126 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 MT, 105 hp, FWD | 105 hp | 127 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 MT, 105 hp, AWD | 105 hp | 127 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 AT, 105 hp, FWD | 105 hp | 127 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.5 AT, 105 hp, AWD | 105 hp | 127 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | No | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| Fifth: 1.3 MT | 85 hp | 118 Nm | 1,331 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.3 AT | 85 hp | 118 Nm | 1,331 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.5 MT, 91 hp | 91 hp | 129 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Fifth: 1.5 AT, 91 hp | 91 hp | 129 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Automatic, 4-speed | AWD |
| Fifth: 1.5 MT, 94 hp | 94 hp | 132 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.5 AT, 94 hp | 94 hp | 132 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4 / Inline | not measured | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.5 MT, 67 hp | 67 hp | 137 Nm | 1,453 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.5 AT, 67 hp | 67 hp | 137 Nm | 1,453 cc | Diesel | 4 / Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4-speed | FWD |
Performance, mpg, and economy
Acceleration from 0–100 is not measured for any listed Toyota Corolla II version. Top speed is also not measured. City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every version, so the supplied data cannot support an mpg comparison or a claim that one engine is more economical.
Output per litre can still be compared from the recorded displacement and power. The first-generation 60 hp engine develops about 41 hp per litre. The second generation ranges from about 58 hp per litre for the 75 hp 1.3 MT to about 62 hp per litre for the 90 hp AWD 1.5 MT. Third-generation 1.5 versions reach about 70 hp per litre at 105 hp and about 77 hp per litre at 115 hp. In the fourth generation, the strongest 1.3 versions deliver about 75 hp per litre, while the 105 hp 1.5 versions deliver about 70 hp per litre. Fifth-generation Gasoline engines range from about 61 to 64 hp per litre, while the 67 hp Turbo Diesel produces about 46 hp per litre.
The fifth-generation Turbo Diesel has the highest listed torque in that generation: 137 Nm at 2,600 rpm. That is 5 Nm more than the 94 hp Gasoline versions, although the diesel gives away 27 hp. The third-generation 115 hp engine remains the highest-output option in the entire supplied catalogue.
Dimensions, weight, tank, and wheels
Dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Gross weight and wheel sizes are also not measured for any listed version.
Recorded kerb weight is available for the third and fourth generations. Every detailed third-generation version is listed at 830 kg, producing approximately 7.9 kg per hp with the 105 hp engine and 7.2 kg per hp with the 115 hp engine. Its ground clearance is 155 mm and its tank capacity is 45 litres.
Fourth-generation FWD 1.3 versions weigh 830–860 kg and have 160 mm of ground clearance. The 97 hp versions weigh 840 kg with Manual transmission and 860 kg with Automatic transmission; the corresponding 100 hp versions weigh 830 and 850 kg. All have a 45-litre tank.
Fourth-generation FWD 1.5 versions weigh 850–920 kg and have 150 mm of clearance. The 100 hp 1.5 MT weighs 880 kg, versus 920 kg for the 1.5 AT. At 105 hp, the FWD 1.5 MT weighs 850 kg and the FWD 1.5 AT weighs 890 kg. The 105 hp Manual therefore has the strongest recorded fourth-generation weight-to-power result at about 8.1 kg per hp.
Fourth-generation AWD 1.5 versions weigh 950–1,020 kg and have 155 mm of clearance. Comparing like-for-like 105 hp Manual versions, AWD raises kerb weight from 850 to 950 kg, a difference of 100 kg, and raises clearance from 150 to 155 mm. Among the 105 hp Automatic versions, AWD raises weight from 890 to 990 kg and again adds 5 mm of clearance. All detailed fourth-generation versions have a 45-litre tank.
Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for the first, second, or fifth generations.
Which Toyota Corolla II version should you buy?
For the best power-to-weight figure supported by the data, choose the third-generation 1.5 MT with 115 hp. Its 830 kg kerb weight equals about 7.2 kg per hp, while its 135 Nm output is 8 Nm above the 105 hp third-generation engine. The 1.5 AT with 115 hp provides the same recorded power, torque, weight, and clearance with an Automatic transmission.
For the broadest choice and the most complete chassis data, focus on the fourth generation. Its 1.5 MT with 105 hp and FWD combines 105 hp, 127 Nm, an 850 kg kerb weight, and a five-speed Manual. The corresponding 1.5 AT with FWD adds 40 kg. Choosing AWD instead adds 100 kg to either transmission configuration and increases ground clearance by 5 mm.
For AWD with the lowest recorded fourth-generation kerb weight, select the 1.5 MT with 105 hp and AWD at 950 kg. It is 30 kg lighter than the 97 hp AWD Manual and 40 kg lighter than the 105 hp AWD Automatic. Buyers prioritizing clearance rather than AWD can consider the fourth-generation 1.3 versions, which have 160 mm—5 mm more than the AWD 1.5 versions and 10 mm more than the FWD 1.5 versions.
For the highest fifth-generation torque and the earliest torque peak, choose the 1.5 MT or 1.5 AT with the 67 hp Turbo Diesel. Both produce 137 Nm at 2,600 rpm. For greater fifth-generation power, the 94 hp FWD Gasoline versions provide 27 hp more but 5 Nm less; the 91 hp AWD Gasoline versions trade 3 hp and 3 Nm for AWD.
For a first-generation car, the numbers make transmission the deciding factor: 1.5 MT4, 1.5 MT5, and 1.5 AT all share 60 hp, 45 kW, 1,452 cc, and FWD. Among second-generation versions, the 90 hp 1.5 MT stands apart with AWD and a six-speed Manual, offering 15 hp more than the 1.3 MT and 5 hp more than the other 1.5 versions.
Reliability, common problems, maintenance costs, safety ratings, and sale prices are not measured in the supplied data. Those factors cannot be used here to name a universally “best year.” On the recorded specifications alone, the third-generation 115 hp 1.5 MT is the power-to-weight choice, the fourth-generation 105 hp 1.5 MT FWD is the strongest documented all-round specification, and the fifth-generation 67 hp Turbo Diesel is the torque-focused option.