The 9th generation Toyota Corolla (E120 for Europe/Japan, E130 for North America and wider Asia) is a monument in automotive history. Designed with a more European approach (the hatchback version's design was carried out at the ED2 center in France), it marked a major qualitative leap in terms of finish and interior space compared to the previous generation. Positioning: A C-segment compact, it was available in multiple body styles: 3/5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, station wagon (Estate/Fielder), and compact MPV (Verso). Facelift: A mid-cycle facelift occurred in 2004 (new bumpers, teardrop headlights, modified grille, and most importantly, major technical corrections to the petrol engines). Expert's overall rating: This is one of the most reliable cars of its decade. While the petrol ver
The Toyota Corolla E120 is the archetype of a sensible and trouble-free purchase. If you're looking for a reliable, economical daily driver that starts every morning, it's a master choice. Expert's advice: For a petrol engine, definitely target a model produced after 2005 (phase 2) to avoid the piston ring and oil consumption issue of the ZZ engines. A well-maintained 2006 1.6 VVT-i can easily exceed 300,000 km without major intervention. If you need to drive a diesel, avoid the 2.0 D-4D and look for the small 1.4 D-4D, a true gem of reliability.