Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007) Review
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Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007) At A Glance
Comfortable, well equipped and dependable. Huge range of body styles and refined, economical chain cam engines. Rated highly by owners.
Not the most accomplished ride. VVT-i engines can suffer bore liner problem and guzzle oil after 40k miles.
Think Corolla and you think reliable but characterless. The 5-door version looks like a Chinese die-cast model of a Skoda Fabia done from memory. And your first impressions confirm your prejudices. Light controls. Over-light steering. Short gearing. Dashboard flat as a coal face. Nothing to get even mildly excited about.
Then you take it out for a second time and find Dr Jekyll blurring into Mr Hyde.
Reviews for Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007)'s top 3 rivals
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Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.4 D-4D to 2.0 D-4D
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 25–65 mpg
First you notice it's got a fair bit of go. The engine is sporty and fun to drive rather than dull and anodyne like some other 1.6 litre hatchbacks. Once you dial in some speed the wheel weights up in your hands, you begin to feel the road through it and, much to your surprise, you find that the car handles well. It grips hard at the front and steers accurately with no slop or excess body movement. The door mirrors give an excellent field of view. The gearchange is top notch. Though you never expected to, you discover you're enjoying yourself.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 D-4D | 59 mpg | 13.3 s | 127–128 g/km |
| 1.4 VVT-i | 42 mpg | 12.0 s | 159 g/km |
| 1.6 VVT-i | 39–40 mpg | 10.2 s | 168–172 g/km |
| 1.8 VVTLi | 31 mpg | 6.9 s | 218 g/km |
| 2.0 D-4D | 50 mpg | 10.6 s | 151–152 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
95%
Real MPG
25–65 mpg
MPGs submitted
362
Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007) interior
- Boot space is 289–975 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4180–4410 mm |
| Width | 1710 mm |
| Height | 1440–1520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
You take a second look at the dashboard and start to think it's really neat and high-tech. You begin to appreciate all the useful places to store things. The small, leather-clad steering wheel nice to hold. The seats are superb: the right shape, with the right support and upholstered in classy velour. You notice they've even covered the inner A pillars with velour, like the VW Golf Mk IV. You feel there's a bit of quality about the car.What's wrong with it? Not much. It's difficult to see out of the back when reversing, my car had a bit of a whistle from the driver's side door seal, there's a fair bit of tyre noise, ride quality isn't up to the best in class and the low gearing means the car drones at 80 and only does 34 miles per gallon. Really, the 1.6 could do with the extra cog from the VVTL-i Sport.
But these are quibbles, not irritations. Nothing actually annoyed me. It felt almost as if the car was designed to pacify by getting on with the job in as pleasant and as fuss-free manner as possible. I can see a lot of older people trading down from Volvo S40s and V40s into Corollas. But equally I can imagine lots of younger people trading up out of Astras and Focuses. The key to that, of course, is the 190bhp, 140mph six-speed T Sport.
And the range: Manuals or automatics. Four petrol engines and two diesels. Three door, five door, estate or Verso bodies. Corollas aren't stuck in a rut of being any one group's kind of car.
Check the prices and you will see that no Corolla actually comes cheap. The Honda Civic starts at nearly £1,000 less and with similar range of engines and bodies is probably enemy number one. But even T2 UK market Corollas are very high spec, lacking only a/c and alloys. The whole point used to be that Corolla ownership was painless and that's why it's been the best selling car in the World for years. Now that Toyota has made it good to drive as well, you can't really go wrong.
Toyota Corolla (2002 – 2007) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4180–4410 mm |
| Width | 1710 mm |
| Height | 1440–1520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1180–1385 kg |
| Boot Space | 289–975 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £11,295–£20,040 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | D–K |
| Official MPG | 30.7–58.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 VVT-i T2 5dr Estate | £13,900 | 39.2 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T3 5dr Estate | £14,600 | 39.2 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 2.0 D-4D T2 5dr Estate | £15,395 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| 2.0 D-4D T3 5dr Estate | £16,095 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.4 D-4D Colour Collection 3dr | £12,290 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 D-4D Colour Collection 5dr | £12,790 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 D-4D T2 3dr | £12,890 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 D-4D T2 5dr | £13,390 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 D-4D T2 5dr Auto | £13,390 | - | - |
| 1.4 D-4D T3 3dr | £13,590 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 D-4D T3 5dr | £14,090 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i Colour Collection 3dr | £11,295 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i Colour Collection 5dr | £11,895 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T Spirit 5dr | £14,095 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T2 3dr | £11,895 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T2 5dr | £12,395 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T3 3dr | £12,595 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T3 5dr | £13,195 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i Colour Collection 3dr | £11,795 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i Colour Collection 3dr Auto | £11,795 | - | - |
| 1.6 VVT-i Colour Collection 5dr | £12,395 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i Colour Collection 5dr Auto | £12,395 | - | - |
| 1.6 VVT-i SR 5dr | £13,295 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i SR 5dr Auto | £13,295 | - | - |
| 1.6 VVT-i T Spirit 5dr | £14,600 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T Spirit 5dr Auto | £14,600 | - | - |
| 1.6 VVT-i T2 5dr | £12,900 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T2 5dr Auto | £12,900 | - | - |
| 1.6 VVT-i T3 3dr | £13,100 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T3 3dr Auto | £13,100 | - | - |
| 1.6 VVT-i T3 5dr | £13,700 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T3 5dr Auto | £13,700 | - | - |
| 1.8 VVTL-i T Sport Compressor 3dr | £20,040 | 30.7 mpg | 6.9 s |
| 2.0 D-4D Colour Collection 5dr | £13,895 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| 2.0 D-4D SR 5dr | £14,795 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| 2.0 D-4D T Spirit 5dr | £16,095 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| 2.0 D-4D T2 5dr | £14,395 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| 2.0 D-4D T3 5dr | £15,195 | 49.6 mpg | 10.6 s |
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.4 D-4D T2 4dr | £13,390 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 D-4D T3 4dr | £14,090 | 58.9 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T2 4dr | £12,395 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.4 VVT-i T3 4dr | £13,095 | 42.2 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T2 4dr | £12,900 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
| 1.6 VVT-i T3 4dr | £13,600 | 40.4 mpg | 10.2 s |
Model History
- January 2002: Toyota Corolla launched
- January 2003
- May 2003
- July 2004: Corolla facelift introduced
- November 2005
January 2002
Toyota Corolla launched
As well as a three-door hatchback, a five-door hatchback, a saloon, and an estate, in line with the Yaris and Avensis, there is an MPV called the Corolla Verso and, like the Yaris, there is a high performance 189bhp T Sport. Three and five-door hatchback models built in the UK at Burnaston, Derbyshire.
Engine choice includes two 2.0-litre common-rail belt cam diesel engines (89bhp and 109bhp), and a selection of three VVT-i (Variable Valve Timingintelligent) petrol engines, ranging from a 95bhp 1.4 through a 108bhp 1.6 and a 139bhp 1.8-litre version, all chain-cam. At the top of the range, the 189bhp 1.8 T Sport features VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), Brake Assist and the same 1.8-litre VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing and Liftintelligent) high performance engine used in the Celica T Sport, linked to a 6-speed gearbox. Prices from £10,795 for the T2 3-door 1.4 hatch to £16,995 for the T Spirit 1.8 Verso auto.
2.0 109bhp D-4D Spirit 5-dr emits 154g/km, VED band B (£130), combined consumption 48.7mpg, price £15,995. 2.0 89bhp D-4D T3Verso emits 164g/km, VED band B (£130), combined consumption 47.8mpg, price £15,495. 189bhp T Sport 6-speed does 140mph, gets to 60mph in 8.2 seconds, emits 198g/km CO2, VED band D (£155), combined consumption 34.mpg, price £15,495. All models have electric power steering.
A useful cross the range extra is 'City Collection' which consists of parking sensors and bumper corner protectors at £285.95. Another useful extra is Toyota's Traffic Avoidance System which combines satellite navigation with electronic traffic avoidance, alerting the driver to congestion on his or her route and feeding them around it.
January 2003
Price of 1.4 T2 3-dr cut to £9,995 and of 1.6 T2 Verso to £11,995.
May 2003
Euro IV emission 114bhp D-4D replaced 109bhp D-4D. New engine gives 50.4mpg and puts out 149g/km.
July 2004
Corolla facelift introduced
Air conditioning and Optitron dashboard display now standard on all Corollas and option of Euro IV compliant 89bhp 1.4 D-4D which is also offered with MMT tansmission. 1.4 D-4D does 0-60mph in 13 seconds, has top speed of 112mph, combined 58.9mpg and CO2 output 125g/km.
November 2005
Corolla Compressor replaces Corolla 190. Has supercharged 1.8-litre VVTL-i engine develops 215bhp (217 DIN hp) and 215Nm of torque. 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds, top speed 143mph. Lowered suspension with sports springs. Sports body styling with roof spoiler and rear skirt. UK right-hand drive production limited to 250 examples, on sale from November 2005, price £19,995 on the road.
What to watch out for
One report of a mixture of electrical failures from 16 months old. Bits can become detached from inside inlet manifold of 1.6 after 3 - 4 years, requiring a new manifold. If the engine intermittently cuts out and the fault cannot be diagnostically traced it may be due to a faulty safety fuel cut-off solenoid switch. On D-4D cutting out can also be caused by a build of of salts on a hot wire in the airflow sensor. VVT-i engines can start to use up to a litre of oil every 600 miles after 40,000 miles.
May 2006: 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre VVT-i engines can start to use up to a litre of oil every 600 miles after 40,000 miles due to a bore liner problem. If under 5 years old and Toyota maintained, under TSB EG 6020, Toyota wouldl usually replace FOC.
Multimode automated manual transmissions prone to actuator failure.
One report of failed driveshaft CV joints at 5 years old.
For safety when driving in mainland Europe you might want to add a nearside rear fog lamp to your 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla. It takes about half an hour, depending upon how competent and confident you are. The rear lamp cluster is secured by three 10mm nuts. Two them are accessible after removing the two interior boot blanking pieces. Two of the nuts accessible but to access the (third) top one you need to pull away the top of the interior covering which are held by two push pins. This can be done by hand. After removing the three bolts on each side you will observe that there is a bulb missing on the nearside. Remove the feed plug from the bulb cluster by holding in the small plastic tab with a small screwdriver and pull outwards. The rear fog lamp bulb is the right hand bulb (the one that is missing. You will also observe that there is a corresponding plastic blanking piece on the hole in the back of the cluster into which a bulb would be fitted. It is necessary to remove this blanking piece which is an integral part of the plastic surround. Carefully drill small holes around the circumference of the blanking piece until you can separate it from the housing and then clean the hole up with a round file. You will also observe that the third connection in the plug does not have a wire attached. Obtain a suitable piece of insulated cable and bare the end for about 3cm and put this down into the back of the plug where the wire is missing and carefully replace the plug trapping the wire and making a sound connection. Ensure that there are no loose strands which might make another connection or touch the earth side. Run the cable underneath the black plastic edge protector between the two clusters and repeat the same exercise for the offside except to use a blue snap connector on the red wire leading to the fog lamp bulb. Replace all the parts, making sure that the three nuts are not over tightened and thats it.
Remote keyfob failures seem to be a problem. Spring fails under the door opening button. Toyota replaces under warranty, but after that they are £112.50 and independent specvualists are unable to supply them.
On a batch of 2006 1.6 engines the valve stems were incorrectly hardened and eventually 'mushroom'. One reader quoted £1,200 to fix at just 49,000 miles. If the car is Toyota serviced then Toyota might be sympathatic and come up with some goodwill.
13-07-2013:On belt-cam 2.0 litre diesel engines the waterpump must be replaced at the same time as the timing belt. They are prone to breaking up and when they do they throw the belt off.
10-08-2013:All Toyota VVT-I 1.4, 1.6 & 1.8L engines (1zz 1.8, 3zz 1.6 & 4zz 1.4) made from 2000 to mid 2005 may suffer from excessive oil consumption of 1L/600miles. The cause was insufficient oil capacity, poor piston and piston ring design. This led to the oil-ways sludging up, eventually causing hardened oil around the rings to misshape the bores. The use of poor quality or overly thick oils (thicker than 5w30) increased the likelihood of the issues above occurring. The fix was re-designed pistons, rings and short block - some were replaced under warranty; after about July 2005 the fix was applied new build Toyotas.
