Used Toyota Corolla for Sale

The 12th generation Toyota Corolla is built on the company’s New Global Architecture platform known as TNGA. This means the Corolla offers a better driving experience with a renewed focus on comfort.

While the Toyota Corolla hatch gets a turbocharged 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, the Corolla powertrains are bigger.

Unlike the previous generation sedan range which had several models, the latest line-up only has three high-spec versions, including the following:

• Toyota Corolla with a 1.8-litre XS engine and CVT gearbox
• Toyota Corolla 2.0-litre XR with a six-speed manual gearbox
• Toyota Corolla 2.0-litre XR with CVT

The 12th generation Toyota Corolla for sale comes loaded with new safety and connectivity technology.

For example, the Corolla XS trim model includes cruise control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, partial leather trim, seven airbags, the Toyota Display Audio system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality), reverse camera, automatic LED headlamps and 16-inch alloys with a full-size steel spare in the boot.

While it’s not always the case, with the latest generation Toyota Corolla for sale, the top-spec 2.0-litre XR boasts the best fuel economy in the range – 6.0 L/100 km.

Did you know? The 12th generation Toyota Corolla for sale had a hatchback body style and was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show as a pre-production model in March 2018 as the Auris. The hatchback version for the American market was launched toward the end of March 2018 while South Africa only introduced the 12th-generation Toyota Corolla in March 2020.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.2-L four-cylinder petrol
• 1.8-L four-cylinder petrol
• 2.0-L four-cylinder petrol

Transmission

• 6-speed manual
• CVT

Body Style

• 4-door Sedan
• 5-door Hatchback
• 5-door Stationwagon (Not in SA)

Assembly Plant

• Japan
• Brazil
• China
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine with front-wheel-drive

Wheelbase

• 2,640 mm – 2,700 mm

Launched internationally in 2013 and in South Africa in 2014 as a compact car, the 11th generation of Corolla has helped to ensure that the nameplate still stays as relevant today as when it first launched. Sold in South Africa with 3 petrol engine choices and one diesel option, all of which are mated to either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or CVT (only available in the 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol options). The original designs, and many of the current features, are based on the Toyota Furia Concept Car. This generation of Corolla is bigger and more fuel efficient than all previous generations, which is an ongoing trend with each successive generation of Toyota Corolla launched.

Did You Know? The 11th generation Corolla sold in Japanese markets is substantially different to the one sold here in South Africa. It is shorter in length and narrower in width, and as in our local market, it does not have an engine over 2.0 Litres available. The reason for this is that Japanese legislation regarding vehicle dimensions is strictly enforced, and bigger road taxes are levied on larger vehicles.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.4 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 1.5 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 1.6 L petrol
• 1.8 L petrol
• 2.0 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 2.4 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 1.4 L diesel
• 2.0 L diesel (Not in SA)

Transmission

• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual
• 7-speed Super CVT-i
• 4-speed automatic
• 5-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan
• 5-door station wagon (Not in SA)

Assembly Plant

• Japan
• USA
• Canada
• South Africa
• China
• Taiwan
• India
• Malaysia
• Pakistan
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Brazil
• Venezuela

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine with front-wheel-drive

Wheelbase

• 2,600 mm

Introduced globally in 2006, and in South Africa in 2007, this 10th generation of Corolla is still in production in South Africa under the Corolla Quest name.

Until it was rebadged as the Quest and focused on the entry-level B Segment of the local SA market, this generation of Corolla was available in the following model variants:

• 2.0 Diesel Exclusive
• 2.0 Diesel Advanced
• 1.8 Petrol Exclusive
• 1.8 Petrol Exclusive Automatic
• 1.8 Petrol Advanced
• 1.6 Petrol Advanced
• 1.6 Petrol Professional
• 1.4 Petrol Advanced
• 1.4 Petrol Professional

Did You Know? This generation of Corolla was awarded the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top safety pick accolade! During the scoring process, it achieved a good overall score for the front impact test and side impact test. It also scored exceptionally high marks for the side impact structure and safety category, which is not common for vehicles in the compact car segment.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.4 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 1.5 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 1.6 L petrol
• 1.8 L petrol
• 2.0 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 2.4 L petrol (Not in SA)
• 1.4 L diesel
• 2.0 L diesel (Not in SA)

Transmission

• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual
• 7-speed Super CVT-i
• 4-speed automatic
• 5-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan
• 5-door station wagon (Not in SA)

Assembly Plant

• Japan
• USA
• Canada
• South Africa
• China
• Taiwan
• India
• Malaysia
• Pakistan
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Brazil
• Venezuela

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine with front-wheel-drive

Wheelbase

• 2,600 mm

This ninth generation of Toyota Corolla was launched into the compact car segment of the global market in August 2000. It did not reach South African shores until 2002 however, when production of this model started in Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Durban.

This 2002 local launch saw the introduction of the revamped version of this generation of Corolla. These updates included only small cosmetic changes, but in 2004 the design was again updated to include a new look front end.

This generation of Corolla has proven to be one of Toyota’s most versatile and popular models ever produced, and won worldwide acclaim for its safety, convenience and styling features. It was even awarded the 2002 Car of the Year Award by What Car? magazine.

Did You Know? In South Africa there was a hatchback version of the Corolla released called the Corolla RUNX. It was assembled in Durban and sold nationwide until the Auris was introduced in 2012.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.4L petrol
• 1.5L petrol
• 1.6L petrol
• 1.8L petrol
• 1.4L diesel
• 2.0L diesel

Transmission

• 4-speed automatic
• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual

Body Style

• 4-door sedan
• (Numerous variants in global market)

Assembly Plant

• Japan
• United States
• Canada
• South Africa
• United Kingdom
• Turkey
• China
• Taiwan
• India
• Malaysia
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Brazil
• Venezuela
• Colombia
• Indonesia

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine with front-wheel-drive
• (Also a four-wheel-drive option in some overseas markets)

Wheelbase

• 2,600 mm

More an extensive update to the previous generation of Corolla due to a world recession at the time of launch in 1995, the 8th iteration of the Toyota Corolla still impressed all who drove them. Offered in Base, XLi, GLi, and SE-G trim levels, in late 1998 facelifted 1.8 XLi and 1.8 SE-G also entered the market. As was the norm with all subsequent Corolla generations the overall size and standard safety features were some of the best in their class.

Did You Know? In 1997 a Toyota Corolla World Rally Car made its debut in the Rally of Finland. It went on to win the 1998 Monte Carlo Rally, and the 1999 China Rally and saw Toyota clinch the 1999 manufacturer’s title.

Power Train

Engine

• 1,331 cc petrol
• 1,398 cc petrol
• 1,498 cc petrol
• 1,587 cc petrol
• 1,598 cc petrol
• 1,762 cc petrol
• 1,974 cc diesel
• 2,184 cc diesel

Transmission

• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual
• 3-speed automatic
• 4-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan in SA

Assembly Plant

• Canada
• Turkey
• California
• Japan
• South Africa
• Brazil
• Philippines
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• New Zealand

Vehicle Layout

• Front engine with front-wheel drive

Wheelbase

• 2,465 mm

Designed to be a “Mini-Lexus” the 7th generation of Toyota Corolla reflected a chunkier and solid look design ethos than all previous generations. The over-vehicle build also used fewer panels than before, which not only made the body stronger and more aerodynamic but also cost less to manufacture. Trim levels included:

• The 1.3L XL
• The 1.6L GL
• The 1.6L GS
• And the 1.6L GLX

Did You Know? This generation of Toyota Corolla was North American and European focused and was not sold in South Africa. Later models of this generation were also sold in Australia and New Zealand. As with most Toyota vehicles the 7th generation Corolla was also sold for its entire production run in Japan. This was the last generation of Corolla to use a Carburetor engine in all global markets.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.5 L petrol
• 1.8 L petrol
• 2.0 L diesel
• 2.2 L diesel

Transmission

• four-speed manual
• five-speed manual
• six-speed manual
• three-speed automatic
• four-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan in SA

Assembly Plant

• Canada
• United States
• Japan
• Philippines
• Indonesia
• Turkey
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Thailand
• Pakistan

Vehicle Layout

• Front engine with front-wheel drive

Wheelbase

• 2,464 mm

In general, all 6th generation Toyota Corolla designs included a new boxy contemporary look that also improved aerodynamics. After 1997 the option of a rear-wheel drive was removed from the lineup and production continued of all of the following trim levels until the discontinuation of this generation of Corolla in 2006:

• Base
• XL
• GL
• SE (with a SE Limited Edition temporarily available)
• GT-i

Did You Know? Only two Corolla body styles were made available in South Africa, with only the four-door sedan being badged as a Corolla. The five-door hatchback, which was manufactured in South Africa, was marketed as the Toyota Conquest. To this day the Conquest name is synonymous in South Africa with sporty good looks, reliability and exciting driving characteristics in the GL and GSX ranges. The smaller Toyota Conquest Tazz (later simply called the Toyota Tazz) launched in 1996 is still a regular sight on many South African roads to this day, and has proven itself to be a reliable and economic city vehicle that has stood the test of time.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.5 L petrol
• 1.6 L petrol
• 1.8 L diesel

Transmission

• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual
• 3-speed automatic
• 4-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan (other vehicle variants available outside of South Africa)

Assembly Plant

• Japan
• Australia
• Canada
• Indonesia
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Thailand
• USA

Vehicle Layout

• Front engine with front-wheel drive
• (please note that front engine four-wheel drive options were available outside of South Africa)

Wheelbase

• 2,431 mm

The 5th generation Toyota Corolla sold approximately 3.3 million vehicle units during its production run, many of which were sold in South Africa. It was this generation of Corolla that saw manufacturing and design start to focus more on front-wheel drive models, although certain Toyota Sprinter models around the globe maintained a rear-wheel drive option.

Did You Know? The Group A Rally Championship Corolla was derived from this 5th generation Corolla and was actively racing between 1985 and 1992. Victories included a class win at the Rally Portugal in 1995 and a third place podium position at the 1989 Rallye Côte d’Ivoire. Subsequently, this generation of Corolla, and the AE86 model, in particular, have become highly respected in the world of motorsport drifting.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.5 L petrol
• 1.6 L petrol
• 1.8 L diesel

Transmission

• 5-speed manual
• 3-speed automatic
• 4-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan
• (numerous other variants sold outside of South Africa)

Assembly Plant

• Japan
• USA
• Venezuela
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Indonesia

Vehicle Layout

• Front engine, front-wheel drive
• Front engine, rear-wheel drive

Wheelbase

• 2,430 mm

The fourth-generation Corolla was released in March 1979 and was the last generation to offer rear-wheel-drive options across the entire range. This generation of Corolla had an incredibly short production run, with the next generation Corolla already being introduced into South Africa in 1984 but production rates during this time were exceptionally high, and at one point there were 2,346 Toyota Corolla 4th generation vehicles being produced globally on a daily basis. It was during this production run that the one-millionth Corolla rolled of the production line.

Did You Know? In 1982 driver Winston Percy won the British Saloon Car Championship in a 4th generation Toyota Corolla GT. Shortly afterwards in Australia a sportier looking special edition Corolla sedan was introduced. Named the Toyota Corolla Spirit, it came standard with a boot spoiler, the newly introduced 1.6-litre engine, chromed wheel trims, racing stripes, and additional cabin convenience equipment.

Power Train

Engine

• 1290 cc petrol
• 1452 cc petrol
• 1496 cc petrol
• 1588 cc petrol
• 1587 cc petrol
• 1770 cc petrol
• 1839 cc diesel

Transmission

• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual
• 2-speed automatic
• 3-speed automatic

Body Style

• 2-door sedan
• 4-door sedan
• 2-door hardtop coupé
• 3-door liftback
• 5-door station wagon
• (various other body configurations were available outside of South Africa)

Assembly Plant

• Toyota City, Japan
• Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Thames, New Zealand
• Samut Prakan, Thailand
• North Jakarta, Indonesia

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

Wheelbase

• 2,400 mm

The 3rd generation Corolla was a popular global brand even though the first models only came with 1166 cc engines. These were replaced over time by the larger and more efficient 1290 cc engine in November 1978 however, which pushed the end of the generation sales across the globe to new heights. There were 2 trim levels available in this generation, namely the SE trim and the Luxury CS trim. The CS model introduced modern (for the time) features to the Corolla range such as carpeting, a cabin clock, and even reclining cloth seats.

Did You Know? This generation of Corolla was built between August 1974 and July 1981, making it one of the longest-lived generations of Corolla ever. This was due in part to its rugged, affordable and popular build, but the fact that a worldwide recession affected global vehicle sales for much of the 70’s also played a part in its longevity.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.2 L petrol
• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.4 L petrol
• 1.6 L petrol

Transmission

• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual
• 2-speed automatic
• 3-speed automatic

Body Style

• 2-door coupe
• 2-door sedan
• 4-door sedan
• 2-door hardtop coupé
• 3-door liftback
• 3-door station wagon
• 5-door station wagon
• 3-door van

Assembly Plant

• Toyota City, Japan
• Port Melbourne, Australia
• Thames, New Zealand
• Samut Prakan, Thailand
• North Jakarta, Indonesia

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine with rear-wheel drive

Wheelbase

• 2,370 mm

With its “coke bottle styling” and revolutionary new looks, the 2nd generation of Toyota Corolla (and the first to be sold in South Africa) was a global hit. It was this version of the Corolla that made the Toyota Corolla brand name famous and established design and production traditions that have in some cases still been maintained to this day. Both sedan and coupé options were introduced into South Africa and many other countries, with the trim levels for the Sedan being:

• Standard Corolla
• Deluxe Corolla
• Hi-Deluxe Corolla

And the trim levels for the coupé being:

• Deluxe
• SL
• SR
• Levin

Did You Know? The Levin (which means lightning in old English) was a sportier version of the Corolla that set the standards of what was soon to become the Sprinter sub brand. This “Corolla Sport” boasted a twin-cam engine that improved the response of the car while also boosting its top speed.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.2 L petrol
• 1.3 L petrol
• 1.4 L petrol
• 1.6 L petrol

Transmission

• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual
• 2-speed automatic
• 3-speed automatic

Body Style

• 2-door coupe
• 2-door sedan
• 4-door sedan
• 2-door hardtop coupé
• 3-door liftback
• 3-door station wagon
• 5-door station wagon
• 3-door van

Assembly Plant

• Toyota City, Japan
• Port Melbourne, Australia
• Thames, New Zealand
• Samut Prakan, Thailand
• North Jakarta, Indonesia

Vehicle Layout

• Front-engine with rear-wheel drive

Wheelbase

• 2,370 mm