Toyota Corona

Toyota Corona: generations compared: what actually changed

Twelve listed versions, all Gasoline, Inline 4, Front, transverse, boost No, tank 60 L, clearance 155 mm, Independent, spring front and rear, Ventilated disc front, Drum rear.

10 generation (1992-02-01 – 1996-01-31), Sedan

Twelve listed versions, all Gasoline, Inline 4, Front, transverse, boost No, tank 60 L, clearance 155 mm, Independent, spring front and rear, Ventilated disc front, Drum rear. Power band: 1.6 AT / 1.6 MT 105 hp (77 kW) at 5600 rpm, 142 Nm at 4800 rpm, 1587 cm³, 9.5 compression, 81 × 77, fuel 95 — up to 2.0 AT 145 hp (107 kW) at 6000 rpm, 196 Nm at 4400 rpm, 1998 cm³, 10.0 compression, 86 × 86, Direct injection (direct), FWD. Specific output: 105 / 1.587 = 66.2 hp/L on the 1.6; 115 / 1.838 = 62.6 hp/L on the 1.8; 125 / 1.998 = 62.6, 135 / 1.998 = 67.6, 140 / 1.998 = 70.1, 145 / 1.998 = 72.6 hp/L on the 2.0s. The 145 hp 2.0 AT is the only Direct injection (direct) Corona in these data; every other 10 generation 2.0 uses Distributed injection (multi-point).

AWD is not free. On the 140 hp 2.0 pair, FWD 2.0 AT kerb 1190 kg versus AWD 2.0 AT kerb 1300 kg is +110 kg for the same 140 hp and 186 Nm. Weight per horsepower: 1190 / 140 = 8.50 kg/hp (FWD) versus 1300 / 140 = 9.29 kg/hp (AWD). Manual 140 hp 2.0 MT AWD is 1270 kg (9.07 kg/hp). The 125 hp and 135 hp 2.0 MT AWD share 1240 kg kerb; 1240 / 125 = 9.92 kg/hp versus 1240 / 135 = 9.19 kg/hp — same mass, +10 hp. 2.0 AT 135 hp AWD is 1270 kg (9.41 kg/hp). 1.6 MT 105 hp is the lightest measured kerb here at 1110 kg (10.57 kg/hp); 1.8 MT 1120 kg (9.74 kg/hp); 1.8 AT 1150 kg (10.00 kg/hp). 1.6 AT kerb is not measured (gross 1385 kg, same as 1.6 MT). 2.0 AT 125 hp AWD kerb is not measured. Gross is measured only on 1.6 AT / 1.6 MT (1385 kg), 1.8 AT (1425 kg) and 2.0 AT 145 hp (1475 kg). Wheel size is not measured on all 10 generation versions. Top speed and 0–100 are not measured.

9 generation (1987-12-01 – 1992-05-31), Liftback

Twelve listed versions, Gasoline, Inline 4, Front, transverse, boost No, tank 60 L, clearance 155 mm, Independent, spring both ends, Ventilated disc front. Compared with 10 generation, the 1.6 and 1.8 are stronger, not weaker: 1.6 MT 115 hp / 147 Nm / 1587 cm³ / 1060 kg versus later 1.6 MT 105 hp / 142 Nm / 1110 kg — that is +10 hp and −50 kg, 1060 / 115 = 9.22 kg/hp versus 10.57 kg/hp. 1.6 AT 115 hp is 1090 kg (9.48 kg/hp) versus later 1.6 AT 105 hp with kerb not measured. Two 1.8 pairs exist at 125 hp: 1.8 MT 162 Nm, 1838 cm³, 10.0 compression, 83 × 86, 1150 kg; and 1.8 MT 161 Nm, 9.5 compression, 82.5 × 86, 1110 kg. Automatics: 1.8 AT 162 Nm 1180 kg, and 1.8 AT 161 Nm 1140 kg. Fuel on these 1.6/1.8 units is 92, not 95. Rear brakes: Drum on the 1.6/1.8 and on 2.0 AT 140 hp (kerb 1220 kg, fuel 92); Disc on 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 128 hp AWD, 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 135 hp AWD, and the other 2.0 AT 140 hp FWD (1210 kg). The 128 hp AWD 2.0 MT is the only Corona with a measured top speed in this generation: 185 km/h; kerb 1250 kg, gross 1525 kg, fuel 95, 9.8 compression. 2.0 AT 128 hp AWD kerb is not measured (gross 1525 kg). 2.0 MT 135 hp AWD 1250 kg; 2.0 AT 135 hp AWD 1280 kg. Wheels are measured only on 1.8 AT 125 hp (162 Nm): 185/65 R14 and 175/70 R14. 0–100, city/highway/combined consumption, CO2 and eco class are not measured.

Buy 9 generation 1.6 or 1.8 if you want more hp per kilogram than 10 generation 1.6/1.8. Buy 10 generation 2.0 if you want 145 hp Direct injection (direct) or 140 hp AWD at 1300 kg.

8 generation (1983-01-01 – 1989-12-31), Coupe

Twelve listed versions. This is the power and layout outlier. Peak Gasoline: 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT 165 hp (not measured in kW field wait - data has 165 hp), 195 Nm, 1998 cm³, Distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves per cylinder, FWD, fuel 95. 2.0 MT 165 hp kerb 1160 kg → 1160 / 165 = 7.03 kg/hp, 165 / 1.998 = 82.6 hp/L — the best mass-to-power and specific output in the entire Corona set. 2.0 AT 165 hp kerb is not measured. Next Gasoline 2.0: 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 125 hp, 172 Nm; 2.0 MT 1130 kg (9.04 kg/hp); 2.0 AT kerb not measured. 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 115 hp, 162 Nm, 1838 cm³; 1.8 MT 1100 kg (9.57 kg/hp); 1.8 AT kerb not measured. Entry Gasoline: 1.5 MT 79 hp, 118 Nm, 1456 cm³, Carburetor, 3 valves, 4-speed Manual, 960 kg (12.15 kg/hp); 1.5 AT 79 hp, 3-speed Automatic, 1000 kg. A later 1.5 MT 85 hp, 123 Nm, 1487 cm³, Distributed injection (multi-point), 4 valves, top speed 165 km/h, tank 60 L (others in this group often 55 L), 970 kg (11.41 kg/hp). 1.5 AT 85 hp uses 1498 cm³ and Central injection (single-point or single- point); valves not measured; kerb not measured; 4-speed Automatic. Unique AWD 1.6: 1.6 MT 100 hp, 141 Nm, 1598 cm³, 5-speed Manual, AWD, 1200 kg (12.00 kg/hp), tank 60 L, fuel 95. Unique Diesel: 2.0 MT 73 hp, 132 Nm, 1975 cm³, Inline 4, 2 valves, boost No, 5-speed Manual, FWD, top speed 155 km/h, 1050 kg (14.38 kg/hp), tank 55 L, fuel Diesel, injection not measured. Clearance 160 mm on all listed 8 generation versions. 0–100 and mpg not measured.

If the question is “maximum hp for the name Corona,” the answer is 8 generation 2.0 MT 165 hp (or 2.0 AT 165 hp if you need Automatic). If the question is “only Diesel,” this is the only Diesel in the data: 2.0 MT 73 hp.

7 generation (1982-01-01 – 1987-12-31), Coupe Hardtop

Twelve listed versions, all Gasoline Inline 4, Front, transverse, boost No, FWD except the last pair. Clearance 160 mm on the FWD cars, 155 mm on the RWD 1.5. Tank 55 L where measured; not measured on four 1.5 versions. Carburetor 1.5 MT / 1.5 AT 83 hp, 118 Nm, 1452 cm³, 2 valves: one pair 5-speed Manual 980 kg / 3-speed Automatic 1005 kg; another pair 4-speed Manual 930 kg / 3-speed Automatic 985 kg (930 / 83 = 11.20 kg/hp — lightest 7 generation kerb). 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 100 hp Carburetor, 152 Nm, 1832 cm³, 1010 / 1040 kg. Same 1832 cm³ stepped to Central injection (single-point or single- point) 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 105 hp, 157 Nm, still 1010 / 1040 kg — +5 hp, same kerb. Then Distributed injection (multi-point) 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT 115 hp, 164 Nm, 1020 / 1045 kg. RWD pair: 1.5 MT / 1.5 AT 90 hp, 130 Nm, 1497 cm³, 4 valves, fuel 95; kerb not measured; rear brakes not measured. 0–100, top speed, mpg not measured.

What the extra specification buys inside 7 generation 1.8: Carburetor 100 hp → Central injection 105 hp (+5) → Distributed injection 115 hp (+10 more), torque 152 → 157 → 164 Nm, kerb only +10 kg on the manuals (1010 → 1010 → 1020).

6 generation (1978-09-01 – 1982-01-31), Liftback

Four listed versions, all 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT, 86 hp (63 kW), 1800 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, boost No, RWD. Two date stamps: 1978-10-01–1982-01-31 and 1978-09-01–1982-01-31, same power and body. 1.8 MT 5-speed Manual; 1.8 AT 3-speed Automatic. Torque, rpm, compression, bore × stroke, fuel grade, tank, kerb, gross, injection, valves, engine position, rear brakes, 0–100, top speed, mpg: not measured. Clearance 165 mm. Front Independent, spring; rear Dependent, spring; front Disc. Buy 6 generation only if you want this Liftback/RWD 86 hp package; the later 1.8s are 115–125 hp.

5 generation (1973-08-01 – 1978-08-31), Sedan

Six versions, all 2.0 MT or 2.0 AT, 105 hp (77 kW) at 5500 rpm, 145 Nm, 2000 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, Carburetor, 2 valves, RWD, boost No. 2.0 MT 4-speed Manual; 2.0 AT 3-speed Automatic. Three pairs differ by clearance and rear suspension: 165 mm Independent, spring / Dependent, spring; 155 mm same suspension; 165 mm with rear suspension not measured. Front Disc; rear brakes not measured. Kerb, gross, tank, wheels, fuel grade, 0–100, top speed, mpg: not measured. 105 / 2.000 = 52.5 hp/L — well below 10 generation 2.0 (62.6–72.6 hp/L) and 8 generation 165 hp (82.6 hp/L).

1 generation (1957-07-01 – 1959-09-30), Sedan

One version: 1.0 MT, 33 hp (24 kW) at 4500 rpm, 64 Nm at 2800 rpm, 995 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, Carburetor, 2 valves, Front, longitudinal, 3-speed Manual, RWD, compression 7, 65 x 75, fuel 92, top speed 90 km/h, kerb 960 kg, gross 1180 kg, tank not measured, clearance 184 mm (highest in the data), Drum/Drum, Independent, spring / Dependent, leaf spring. 960 / 33 = 29.09 kg/hp; 33 / 0.995 = 33.2 hp/L. 0–100 and mpg not measured.

2 generation (1960-04-01 – 1964-08-31), Pickup single-cab

One version: 1.0 MT, 45 hp (33 kW) at 5000 rpm, 69 Nm at 3200 rpm, 997 cm³, 3-speed Manual, RWD, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal, compression 7.5, 69.9 x 65, fuel 92, top speed 110 km/h (+20 versus 1 generation 1.0 MT), kerb 940 kg (−20 kg), gross 1215 kg, tank 40 L (smallest measured tank), clearance 170 mm, Drum/Drum. 940 / 45 = 20.89 kg/hp; 45 / 0.997 = 45.1 hp/L. The +12 hp on +2 cm³ is the whole step from 1 generation.

3 generation (1964-09-01 – 1970-01-31), Coupe Hardtop

1.5 MT and 1.5 AT, both 70 hp (51 kW) at 5000 rpm, 113 Nm at 2600 rpm, 1490 cm³, Carburetor, Inline 4, 2 valves, Front, longitudinal, RWD, compression 8, 78 x 78, fuel 92, top speed 140 km/h, kerb 945 kg, gross 1220 kg, tank 45 L, clearance 180 mm, Drum/Drum. 1.5 MT 3-speed Manual; 1.5 AT 2-speed Automatic (the only 2-speed Automatic in the data). Same 945 kg and 140 km/h, so the gearbox is the only listed difference. 945 / 70 = 13.50 kg/hp; 70 / 1.490 = 47.0 hp/L.

4 generation (1970-02-01 – 1973-07-31), Coupe

Cylinder layout here is Opposite, 4, not Inline — unique in this catalogue. 1.5 MT 77 hp (56 kW) at 5200 rpm, 115 Nm at 2800 rpm, 1490 cm³, 3-speed Manual, RWD, top speed 135 km/h, kerb 1005 kg, gross 1615 kg, clearance 175 mm. 1.7 MT 95 hp (69 kW) at 5500 rpm, 137 Nm at 3800 rpm, 1707 cm³, 4-speed Manual, 160 km/h, 955 kg, gross 1230 kg. 1.7 AT 95 hp, 3-speed Automatic, 155 km/h, same 955 / 1230 kg. Tank not measured. Carburetor, 2 valves, Front, longitudinal, Drum/Drum, fuel 92. 1.7 MT 955 / 95 = 10.05 kg/hp and 160 km/h versus 1.5 MT 1005 / 77 = 13.05 kg/hp and 135 km/h: +18 hp, −50 kg, +25 km/h. 1.7 AT gives up 5 km/h to 1.7 MT at the same kerb.

Engines and specs (all listed versions)

Performance and economy (mpg)

0–100 km/h is not measured on every version in these data. Combined, city and highway consumption are not measured on every version; mpg cannot be ranked. CO2 and eco class are not measured.

Measured top speeds only: 1 generation 1.0 MT 90 km/h; 2 generation 1.0 MT 110 km/h; 3 generation 1.5 MT / 1.5 AT 140 km/h; 4 generation 1.5 MT 135, 1.7 MT 160, 1.7 AT 155 km/h; 8 generation 2.0 MT 73 hp Diesel 155 km/h and 1.5 MT 85 hp 165 km/h; 9 generation 2.0 MT 128 hp AWD 185 km/h. The 185 km/h figure is the highest measured top speed; it does not prove the 145 hp or 165 hp cars are slower — those top speeds are not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 184 mm (1 generation 1.0 MT), 180 mm (3 generation), 175 mm (4 generation), 170 mm (2 generation), 165 mm (6 generation and some 5 generation 2.0), 160 mm (8 generation and FWD 7 generation), 155 mm (10 generation, 9 generation, RWD 7 generation 1.5, some 5 generation 2.0). Tank: 40 L (2 generation), 45 L (3 generation), 55 L (many 7/8 generation), 60 L (10 generation, 9 generation, some 8 generation 1.5/1.6). Wheels: measured only on 9 generation 1.8 AT 125 hp (162 Nm) as 185/65 R14 and 175/70 R14; not measured elsewhere. Lightest measured kerb: 930 kg (7 generation 1.5 MT 83 hp 4-speed). Heaviest measured kerb: 1300 kg (10 generation 2.0 AT 140 hp AWD). Gross extremes where measured: 1180 kg (1 generation) to 1615 kg (4 generation 1.5 MT) and 1525 kg (9 generation 128 hp AWD).

Problems and reliability

No failure counts, recall lists or durability tests are in these data. What can be compared without inventing rates: Carburetor appears on 1–5 generation and on 7 generation 83/100 hp and 8 generation 79 hp; Central injection (single-point or single- point) on 7 generation 105 hp 1.8 and 8 generation 1.5 AT 85 hp; Distributed injection (multi-point) dominates 7–10 generation gasoline 1.8/2.0; Direct injection (direct) is only 10 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp. Rear Drum is standard on 10 generation; 9 generation mixes Drum and Disc on 2.0; 1–4 generation are Drum/Drum. AWD versions carry 110 kg extra on the 10 generation 140 hp 2.0 AT pair (1300 vs 1190 kg). Diesel exists only as 8 generation 2.0 MT 73 hp. Opposite-layout 4-cylinder exists only in 4 generation.

Which version to choose

Most power: 8 generation 2.0 MT 165 hp or 2.0 AT 165 hp (195 Nm, 7.03 kg/hp on the measured manual). Nothing in 9 or 10 generation reaches 165 hp; the late ceiling is 145 hp.

Best measured kg/hp among late FWD automatics: 10 generation 2.0 AT 145 hp at 1200 kg = 8.28 kg/hp, plus Direct injection (direct) and 196 Nm (peak torque in 10 generation).

Same 140 hp, FWD vs AWD: 10 generation 2.0 AT 140 hp FWD 1190 kg (8.50 kg/hp) versus 2.0 AT 140 hp AWD 1300 kg (9.29 kg/hp). AWD costs 110 kg and 0.79 kg/hp. 9 generation FWD 2.0 AT 140 hp is 1220 kg (Drum) or 1210 kg (Disc).

Do not assume newer 1.6/1.8 is stronger: 9 generation 1.6 MT 115 hp / 1060 kg beats 10 generation 1.6 MT 105 hp / 1110 kg by 10 hp and 50 kg. 9 generation 1.8 MT 125 hp versus 10 generation 1.8 MT 115 hp is the same story (+10 hp). The 10 generation 1.6/1.8 buy is not a power upgrade.

Lightest usable 1.6: 9 generation 1.6 MT 1060 kg. Lightest 10 generation 1.6: 1.6 MT 1110 kg. Lightest overall: 7 generation 1.5 MT 83 hp 930 kg.

AWD without a 2.0: only 8 generation 1.6 MT 100 hp, 1200 kg, 12.00 kg/hp — heavier per hp than 10 generation 2.0 AWD manuals (9.07–9.92 kg/hp).

Only Diesel: 8 generation 2.0 MT 73 hp, 1050 kg, 155 km/h, 14.38 kg/hp.

Only Pickup single-cab: 2 generation 1.0 MT 45 hp, 40 L tank, 110 km/h.

Collector / first Corona: 1 generation 1.0 MT 33 hp, 90 km/h, 184 mm clearance.

Highest measured top speed: 9 generation 2.0 MT 128 hp AWD, 185 km/h. Highest among cars with a number in 1–4 generation: 4 generation 1.7 MT 160 km/h.

Automatic with fewest gears: 3 generation 1.5 AT 2-speed. Manual with fewest gears: 1 and 2 generation 1.0 MT 3-speed (also 3 generation 1.5 MT and 4 generation 1.5 MT).

RWD after the switch to FWD: 7 generation 1.5 MT / 1.5 AT 90 hp; 6 generation all 1.8; 5 generation all 2.0; 1–4 generation all RWD.

Prices are not in these data, so “what the extra money buys” can only mean what the extra specification buys: +10 hp and −50 kg from 10 generation 1.6 to 9 generation 1.6; +110 kg from 10 generation 140 hp FWD to AWD; +20 hp from 10 generation 125 hp AWD to 145 hp FWD; +40 hp from 10 generation 125 hp 2.0 to 8 generation 165 hp 2.0; +5 then +10 hp inside 7 generation 1.8 as injection steps from Carburetor to Central injection (single-point or single- point) to Distributed injection (multi-point). Choose the version whose measured row matches the job; every name above is the catalogue name, including duplicate 2.0 AT / 2.0 MT / 1.8 MT / 1.5 MT labels split by horsepower, torque, drive or kerb.