The Toyota Corolla (E120/E130) is the ninth generation of compact cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate. In Japan, this series arrived to the market in August 2000; however, exports were typically not achieved until 2001 and 2002 depending on the market.
The sedan and station wagon arrived first in August 2000, followed by the five-door hatchback in January 2001, and the Europe-only three-door hatchback in 2002. Toyota supplemented the original styling with an edgier, hatchback-only styling treatment from 2002. Sedans and wagons sold in Japan adopted a new front-end design in 2004, although this version did not typically reach European markets. In other Asian markets and the Americas, the ninth generation Corolla (sedan and wagon only) had unique front and rear styling treatments with mild updates over the model's production run.
The E120/E130 model offered a longer wheelbase. It is built on a shortened V50 series Vista platform. From being marketed as a premium compact sedan, to an affordable hatchback, the ninth generation Corolla was designed as a "global" automobile to suit different market needs. This was one of Toyota's most versatile and most popular models ever produced.
The E120/E130 series Corolla has also spawned another separate hatchback model called the Matrix, sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which forms the basis of the Pontiac Vibe, which was in turn sold in Japan as the Voltz.
The E120 series was replaced by the E140 or E150 series in late 2006 or early 2007 but the E120 continued to be produced in China until 2017.
The E120 Corolla won the What Car? magazine's "Car of the Year" award for 2002.
Japanese/international version
Japan For the Japanese market, trim levels for the Corolla Sedan were X Assista Package (Base), X, G and Luxel. The Corolla has several different engines include: The base models were powered by a 1300  2NZ-FE engine, the mid-models were powered by 1500  1NZ-FE engine, and top variant were powered by 1800  1ZZ-FE and engine. The 2ZZ-FE only available in wagon and RunX. All diesel models sedan are powered by a 2200 cc 3C-E engine.
The station wagon model is called the Corolla Fielder, trim levels for the Corolla Fielder were X, X G Edition, and Z Aero Tourer. Booth sedan and wagon were released on 28 August 2000, it was available in Front-wheel drive and All-wheel drive. The Welcab is optional for both sedan and wagon models.
In Japan and the five-door hatchback is called the Corolla RunX, launched in December 2001. The Toyota Allex is a five-door hatchback that replaced the Sprinter sedan, a badge engineered version of the Corolla RunX. The Allex was exclusive to Toyota Netz Store locations, while the Corolla RunX was exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store locations.
The first two of three Japanese Allex trim levels were not differentiated with a visual badge, but offered similar packages to the RunX with the base model featuring the 1500 cc 1NZ-FE engine, the middle range featuring the 1800 cc 1ZZ-FE engine and the Allex RS180 featuring the 1800 cc 2ZZ-GE engine.
The Allex models offered a different colour range and had minor styling differences to the RunX, such examples include the plastic trim above the license plate area being chrome as opposed to body colour like on the RunX. Interior cloth patterns also differed from the RunX.
The Corolla Spacio (Verso in Europe) moved on to the new platform, with later models adding a third row of fold-down seating in the back. The Corolla sedan sold in Japan also differed slightly as compared to the other markets with a slightly different headlamp and tail lamp design.
On 27 April 2004, all Japanese market Corollas received a facelift. The sedan features a redesigned headlights and tailights.
Corolla
Corolla Fielder
Corolla RunX/Allex
Australia and New Zealand
The E120 Corolla sold in Australia was available as a sedan, wagon and five-door hatchback (Seca), sales began in December 2001. Trim levels offered were the Ascent, Ascent Sport, Conquest, Levin and Ultima. A small number of models were built in South Africa, with the high-performance Sportivo (hatchback only) built exclusively in South Africa. South African-built Corollas have a vehicle identification number starting with A; Japanese-made examples have a VIN starting with J. The Sportivo was powered by the 2ZZ-GE engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, while the other models had the 1ZZ-FE. Minor changes in 2004 included the grille and replacing the headlights with a "tear drop" type. The Sportivo was discontinued in Australia from 2006 due to the prohibitive costs involved in modifying the engine to comply with Euro IV emissions.
All the other models had their engine power and torque reduced with October 2005 production from and from to comply with Euro IV. From May 2006, the Ascent and Ascent Sport models were upgraded with standard front power windows and passenger airbag, while the Conquest models had ABS as standard. The equipment upgrades were not applied to the wagon, which ceased production in August 2006.
In New Zealand, the Corolla hatch was offered in three trim levels: GL, GLX & T Sport. The GL proved most popular and differed from the GLX only by a lack of woodgrain trim, rear electric windows, passenger airbag and alloy wheels. GLX models mostly featured tan coloured interior with woodgrain trim, front fog lights and alloy wheels as standard. The T Sport model offered a sportier look with spoiler, side skirts, front fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels as standard. All models had the 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE, offered either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual and had manual A/C as standard. The Corolla sedan was offered only in the GL and GLX trim level, whilst the station wagon offered in the GL trim only.
Europe
For the European market, the Corolla was offered in 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, sedan or saloon, and wagon or Kombi / Estate forms. The high-performance Corolla T-Sport with 1.8-litre 2ZZ-GE engine was available in certain countries.
European and neighbouring market engines: 2002–2007 – 4ZZ-FE – 1.4 L (1398 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVT-i, 2002–2007 – 3ZZ-FE – 1.6 L (1598 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVT-i, 2001–2004 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L (1796 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVTL-i, , 180 Nm (18.4 mKg) @ 6800 rpm - Valve Lifters 147 kW @ 7800 rpm 2004–2005 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L (1796 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, VVTL-i, , 180 Nm (18.4 mKg) - Valve Lifters 147 kW @ 7800 rpm 2005–2006 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L (1796 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, supercharged, FI, VVTL-i, – Compressor (250 UK right hand drive 3 door only models made and sold as TTE Compressor) 2005–2006 – 2ZZ-GE – 1.8 L (1796 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, supercharged, FI, VVTL-i, – Compressor (limited number made, 3 and 5 door, left hand drive, and sold as TTE Compressor) 2004–2007 – 1ND-TV – 1.4 L (1364 cc) I4 diesel, 8-valve SOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, 2003–2007 – 1CD-FTV – 2.0 L (1995 cc) I4 diesel, 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, – without intercooler 2003–2007 – 1CD-FTV – 2.0 L (1995 cc) I4 diesel, 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, – with intercooler 2003–2007 – 1CD-FTV – 2.0 L (1995 cc) I4 diesel, 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged, D-4D, – with intercooler 2003–2007 – 2C – 2.0 L (1995 cc) I4 diesel, 8-valve,
Asian/Americas version
Asia
An upmarket version of the ninth generation Corolla, dubbed the Corolla Altis, is manufactured and sold in countries such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. It debuted in March 2001 as a bigger and more luxurious variant of the Japanese Corolla, featuring unique interior and exterior panels that separates it from the basic Corolla. The Corolla Altis is targeted at consumers who prefer more comfort than the standard Corolla but do not wish to buy the more luxurious Camry. Two versions of engines are available: the 81 kW (110 bhp), 1.6 L 3ZZ-FE engine and the 100 kW (134 bhp), 1.8 L 1ZZ-FE engine, both with VVT-i technology.
In October 2003, the Corolla Altis received its first facelift. Changes include a new grille design, a sleeker front bumper, redesigned fog lamps, new LED tail lights, different alloy wheels and minor interior updates (auto climate control became a standard feature in lower end variants). Two years later, to keep up with its newer competitors, the Corolla Altis received its second facelift. Exterior changes include another redesigned grille, redesigned chrome rear license plate ornament, a new third LED brake light, and new audio switches on the steering wheel. China would also receive two additional facelifts for the Corolla Altis (sold as the Corolla EX in that region) in 2010 and 2013, featuring redesigned front and rear fascia's.
Thailand
The Corolla Altis was introduced in Thailand on 16 May 2001 making it the first country in Southeast Asia to get this model. It is offered a total of three grades (J, E and G), paired with either 1.6-litre 3ZZ-FE and 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE engine that is standard with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i). The J grade was marketed simply as Corolla, while the E and G grades were marketed as Corolla Altis. The 1.8S grade was added in June 2002, the specs are the same with the 1.8G grade but it is added with rear spoiler and side skirts. In January 2003, a low end variant of the Corolla and Corolla Altis is also branded as the Toyota Limo, featuring lower spec and intended for taxi businesses in Thailand. Unlike the two aforementioned models, it is powered with the 1.6-litre DOHC non-VVTi 4A-FE engine paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Due to being the commercial grade of the Corolla lineup, it doesn't have any power features except for steering, but it has 3-spoke PVC steering wheel, single-din AM/FM stereo with mechanical-operated cassette player, manual dial-type air conditioning system, grey Vinyl seats, 14-inch steel wheels, and doesn't includes tachometer and ABS (Anti-lock braking system) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) unlike on the regular Corolla and Corolla Altis models. It is not to be confused with the low end taxi version of the Toyota Vios which is also called Toyota Limo in Indonesia.
Marketed as Corolla: 1.6 J – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 4-spoke urethane steering wheel steering wheel, includes tachometer, power steering, windows and door locks, colour-keyed door handles, standard instrument cluster panel, single-din AM/FM radio with full-logic cassette player, manual linear-type airconditioning system, gray Fabric seats, 14-inch alloy rims, includes ABS (Anti-lock braking system) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Driver's airbag).
Marketed as Corolla Altis: 1.6 E – 1.6 litre DOHC 3ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, 4-spoke urethane steering wheel steering wheel, same specifications and features as the 1.6J with the inclusion of power mirrors, single-din AM/FM radio with CD player, mixed beige Fabric and Leather seats, height adjustment on driver's seat and 15-inch alloy rims. 1.8 E – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT (Sequential-type), 4-spoke leather wrapped beige steering wheel, same features as the 1.6E with the inclusion of power retractable mirrors, chrome door handles, Optitron instrument cluster panel, double-din AM/FM radio with CD player capable of playing 6 (six) CDs, full-logic automatic climate control and Dual SRS airbags. 1.8 G – 1.8 litre DOHC 1ZZ-FE VVT-i engine, 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT (Sequential-type), 4-spoke leather wrapped beige steering wheel with wood grain trims, same specifications and features as 1.8E trim with the addition of authentic beige Leather seats, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC).