Toyota Corona EXiV

Toyota Corona EXiV: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Toyota Corona EXiV buyer’s choice comes down to two generations of Sedan Hardtop models, built from September 1989 through December 1998. The first generation offers 10 versions with 1,838 or 1,998 cc Gasoline engines and outputs from 105 to 165 hp. The second generation has 8 versions with 1,794, 1,988 or 1,998 cc Gasoline engines producing 125–180 hp, plus the choice of FWD or AWD.

The Toyota Corona EXiV buyer’s choice comes down to two generations of Sedan Hardtop models, built from September 1989 through December 1998. The first generation offers 10 versions with 1,838 or 1,998 cc Gasoline engines and outputs from 105 to 165 hp. The second generation has 8 versions with 1,794, 1,988 or 1,998 cc Gasoline engines producing 125–180 hp, plus the choice of FWD or AWD. Buyers prioritizing accessible output can consider the second-generation 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT with 125 hp, while the 180 hp second-generation 2.0 MT is the most powerful version in the catalogue. Acceleration, top-speed and consumption figures are not measured for any version, so the most defensible comparison uses engine output, torque, transmission, drive, kerb weight and ground clearance.

Toyota Corona EXiV generations compared

The first generation ran from September 1989 to September 1993. It is a Sedan Hardtop with 10 versions, all using FWD. Its engine range consists of 1,838 cc 1.8 AT and 1.8 MT variants rated at either 105 or 115 hp, and 1,998 cc 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT variants developing 125, 140 or 165 hp. Ground clearance is 160 mm throughout the generation. Recorded kerb weights range from 1,120 kg for the 105 hp 1.8 MT to 1,250 kg for several higher-output versions.

The second generation ran from October 1993 to December 1998. It remains a Sedan Hardtop but has 8 versions. Its 1,794 cc 1.8 AT and 1.8 MT produce 125 hp; the 1,988 cc 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT produce 140 hp; and the 1,998 cc 2.0 versions provide 165, 170, 175 or 180 hp. FWD remains available, while AWD appears on the 165 hp 2.0 AT and 175 hp 2.0 MT. Ground clearance is 145 mm on the 125–170 hp versions and 140 mm on the 175 and 180 hp versions. Where measured, kerb weight is 1,160 kg.

Compared with the first generation, the second generation raises the minimum output by 20 hp, from 105 to 125 hp, and the maximum by 15 hp, from 165 to 180 hp. Its clearance is 15–20 mm lower, depending on version. Those changes make the later range more attractive when power is the priority, while the earlier cars provide the greatest listed ground clearance.

Toyota Corona EXiV engine specs and versions

Because several modifications share exactly the same database name, the table identifies them by generation and power without altering their names.

The 105 hp first-generation 1.8 versions produce about 57.1 hp per litre, while their 115 hp alternatives reach about 62.6 hp per litre. The second-generation 125 hp 1.8 versions improve that figure to about 69.7 hp per litre. Among the 2.0 versions, specific output rises from about 62.6 hp per litre at 125 hp to approximately 90.1 hp per litre in the 180 hp 2.0 MT.

Torque does not increase in a straight line with horsepower. The first-generation 125 hp 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT provide 169 Nm, which is 7 Nm more than the 140 hp versions’ 162 Nm. All 165–180 hp 1,998 cc versions provide 191 Nm. Their principal differences are therefore power, gearbox, drive and fuel grade rather than peak torque.

Performance, mpg and economy

The 0–100 km/h time is not measured for every Toyota Corona EXiV version. Top speed is also not measured for every version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption are not measured throughout both generations. CO₂ output and environmental class are not measured as well. Consequently, no acceleration, maximum-speed or mpg ranking can be supported by the supplied specifications.

Fuel requirement still separates several choices. First-generation 105 hp 1.8 AT and 1.8 MT versions use 92, as do the 125 hp 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT. Most other versions use 95. The second-generation 175 hp 2.0 MT and 180 hp 2.0 MT use 98. Every listed version has a 60-litre fuel tank, but range cannot be calculated because consumption is not measured.

Toyota Corona EXiV dimensions, weight and clearance

Body dimensions are not measured in the supplied data for either generation. Wheel sizes and gross weight are also not measured for any version.

The first-generation 105 hp 1.8 MT has the lowest recorded kerb weight at 1,120 kg, giving approximately 10.7 kg per hp. The corresponding 105 hp 1.8 AT weighs 1,150 kg, or about 11.0 kg per hp. This 30 kg difference is the clearest measured trade-off between those two otherwise matching powertrains.

The first-generation 125 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1,160 kg, giving about 9.3 kg per hp, while the 125 hp 2.0 AT weighs 1,190 kg, or about 9.5 kg per hp. The recorded 1,250 kg first-generation 165 hp versions achieve about 7.6 kg per hp. The 115 hp 1.8 MT and 140 hp 2.0 MT also weigh 1,250 kg, corresponding to about 10.9 and 8.9 kg per hp respectively. Kerb weight for the comparable automatic 115 hp and 140 hp versions is not measured.

In the second generation, every version with a recorded figure weighs 1,160 kg. That produces approximately 9.3 kg per hp for the 125 hp 1.8 MT, 8.3 kg per hp for the 140 hp 2.0 MT, 7.0 kg per hp for the 165 hp 2.0 AT AWD, 6.8 kg per hp for the 170 hp 2.0 AT FWD, 6.6 kg per hp for the 175 hp 2.0 MT AWD and 6.4 kg per hp for the 180 hp 2.0 MT FWD. Kerb weight is not measured for the second-generation 1.8 AT and 140 hp 2.0 AT.

All versions use independent spring front suspension and ventilated disc front brakes. Independent spring rear suspension is listed for every version except the second-generation 140 hp 2.0 AT, where the rear suspension is not measured. Rear drum brakes are fitted to most versions; first-generation 125 hp 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT versions instead have rear disc brakes.

Which Toyota Corona EXiV version should you buy?

For the lowest recorded kerb weight and the greatest clearance, choose the first-generation 1.8 MT with 105 hp. Its 1,120 kg kerb weight is 40 kg below the common second-generation measured weight, and its 160 mm clearance exceeds the later range by 15–20 mm. It uses 92 and combines a Manual 5-speed gearbox with FWD.

For a stronger 1.8, the second-generation 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT is the logical step. Both produce 125 hp and 161 Nm from 1,794 cc—20 hp and 12 Nm more than the first-generation 105 hp 1.8 versions despite having 44 cc less displacement. Choose between the Manual 5-speed 1.8 MT and Automatic 4-speed 1.8 AT according to gearbox preference; both are FWD and use 95.

For a first-generation 2.0 with the highest listed torque short of the performance versions, the 125 hp 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT supply 169 Nm and use 92. They also have rear disc brakes, unlike the rear drum arrangement listed for the other versions. The 2.0 MT is 30 kg lighter than the 2.0 AT and has one additional forward gear.

For an Automatic second-generation car, the 170 hp 2.0 AT is the strongest FWD choice. It has 5 hp more than the 165 hp 2.0 AT while sharing the same 191 Nm, 1,998 cc displacement, Automatic 4-speed gearbox and recorded 1,160 kg kerb weight. The 165 hp 2.0 AT provides AWD instead, so its trade-off is 5 hp less in exchange for the alternative drive system.

For AWD with a Manual gearbox, the only listed choice is the second-generation 175 hp 2.0 MT. It produces 10 hp more than the 165 hp AWD Automatic while retaining 191 Nm. Both weigh 1,160 kg in the supplied data, but the Manual version uses 98 and has 140 mm clearance, compared with 95 and 145 mm for the Automatic.

For maximum output and the best calculated weight-to-power ratio, choose the second-generation 180 hp 2.0 MT. It develops 5 hp more than the AWD 175 hp 2.0 MT while sharing its 191 Nm torque, 1,998 cc displacement, Manual 5-speed gearbox, 98 fuel requirement, 1,160 kg kerb weight and 140 mm clearance. The decisive difference is drive: the 180 hp version is FWD, whereas the 175 hp version is AWD.

Prices, current sale listings, reliability records, problems and modification details are not present in the supplied data, so they cannot support a buying recommendation here. On specifications alone, the 125 hp second-generation 1.8 MT is the balanced lower-displacement choice, the 170 hp second-generation 2.0 AT is the strongest Automatic FWD option, the 175 hp 2.0 MT is the Manual AWD option, and the 180 hp 2.0 MT is the outright performance choice.