Review: Toyota E150 Corolla (2007-12)

Review: Toyota E150.I Corolla (2007-10)

Overview

Released in May 2007, the E150 Series I (E150.I) Corolla was available as a sedan or five-door hatchback, with all models powered by 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines. Initially, the Corolla sedan range consisted of the Ascent, Conquest and Ultima variants, while the Corolla hatchback range consisted of the Ascent, Conquest, Levin SX and Levin ZR.

2ZR-FE engine

The E150 Corolla was powered by Toyota’s 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE four-cylinder petrol engine which had a cast aluminium cylinder block, aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), roller rockers, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. The 2ZR-FE engine also featured variable intake and exhaust valve timing (Toyota’s ‘Dual VVT-i’) which could vary inlet timing across a range of 55 degrees (relative to crankshaft angle) and independently vary exhaust timing over a range of 40 degrees.

The 2ZR-FE engine was available with six-speed C66 manual and four-speed U341E automatic transmissions.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the E120 Corolla , the E150 hatchback was 45 mm longer (at 4220 mm), 65 mm wider (1760 mm) and 45 mm taller (1515 mm), though the wheelbase was the same length (2600 mm). Compared to the hatchback the E150 sedan was 320 mm longer (at 4540 mm) and 40 mm lower (1475 mm), though the other measurements were unchanged. In addition to its bigger dimensions, thinner front seats also contributed to greater interior space.

The E150 Corolla had a stiffer – and heavier – chassis due to additional bracing (in the roof, floor, front suspension tower and behind the dashboard cowl), triangular A-pillars and twin chassis rails (previously one).

Suspension

The E150 Corolla had MacPherson strut front suspension with L-arms, while the rear suspension utilised a torsion beam with trailing arms.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the E150 Corolla included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Conquest, Levin ZX and Ultima were further equipped with a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants).

From January 2009, the Conquest, Levin ZR and Ultima variants were fitted with electronic stability control and traction control as standard. From December 2009 production, the sedans were also fitted with electronic stability control and traction control.

Brakes

The E150 Corolla had 275 mm by 22 mm vented front disc brakes with single-piston sliding calipers and 259 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs with single-piston sliding calipers.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2006 Auris hatchback (as the Corolla was branded in Europe) – which was equipped with dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags and curtain airbags – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.96 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a slight risk of chest injury for the front occupants. In the side impact and pole tests, however, maximum points were awarded.

In ANCAP crash testing , a 2007 Corolla hatchback – equipped with dual front airbags – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 28.85. In the frontal offset impact test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver and there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for both front occupants. Furthermore, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver in the side impact test.

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 Corolla sedan – equipped with a full complement of airbags – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score 33.63. In the frontal offset impact test, there was a slight risk of chest injury for the front occupants. Furthermore, maximum points were awarded in the side impact test. In the pole test, however, the rear door moved from the primary latch to the secondary latch position, resulting in a one point deduction.

Features: Corolla Ascent, Conquest and Ultima

Standard features for the Corolla Ascent included 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65 R15 tyes, a six speaker sound system with CD player, auxiliary input and MP3-compatibility, air conditioning, a 60/40 split and folding rear seat, remote central locking, power front windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Corolla Conquest was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, a six-stack CD player, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, power windows (front and rear) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.

Beyond this, the Corolla Ultima added climate control air conditioning, leather seats, high intensity discharge headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Optitron instrumentation and keyless entry and start.

Features: Corolla Levin SX and Levin ZR

Compared to the Conquest, the Corolla Levin SX was further equipped with a sports bodykit, while the Levin ZR was fitted with climate control air conditioning, high intensity discharge headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Optitron instrumentation and keyless entry and start.

2009 Corolla Edge

In September 2009, a limited-run Edge variant was released. Based on the Ascent hatchback, the Edge was distinguished by its unique 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 tyres, six-stack CD player, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, front fog lights, carpet mats and rear spoiler.

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota E150.I Corolla (May 2007)
• Press Release: Toyota E150.I Corolla – ESC for Conquest, Levin ZR and Ultima (January 2009)
• Press Release: Toyota E150.I Corolla Edge (September 2009)
• Specifications: Toyota E150.I Corolla sedan (September 2009)
• Press Release: Toyota E150.I Corolla sedan – ESC standard (March 2010)

Review: Toyota E150.II Corolla (2009-12)

Overview

In December 2009, the E150 Series II (E150.II) Corolla hatchback was released, though the sedan did not follow until June 2010. The E150.II Corolla range introduced improved safety equipment, additional features and a subtle facelift. Furthermore, the Ultima sedan was fitted with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Visually, the E150.II Corolla hatchback could be identified by its new bonnet with a convex-shaped relief, a wider opening for the lower bumper grille, body-coloured horizontal grille bars, new rear combination lights and garnish with chrome accents. The sedan was distinguished by its widened lower grille, taller fog light aperture, enlarged and sharpened rear bumpers, thinner tail lights and square reflectors. Inside, there were new seat fabrics and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Safety equipment

Compared to its E150.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the hatchbacks was extended to front side airbags, electronic stability control and traction control. From October 2010, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags were made standard across the range (previously omitted from the Ascent and Levin SX).

Features

Standard Corolla features were extended to include an upgraded audio system with MP3/WMA compatibility, 3.5 mm audio and USB inputs with iPod control, and Bluetooth connectivity for both mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming.

The Corolla Conquest, Levin SX and Levin ZR also gained a six-stack CD player with 4.3-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) screen and power folding mirrors. Furthermore, the Levin SX received Optitron instrumentation while the Levin ZR was fitted with an electrochromatic rear view mirror. From October 2010, the Ascent and Levin SX were fitted with powered rear windows, while the Levin ZR gained a moonroof.

The Corolla Ultima sedan was fitted with a reversing camera, a 3.3-inch LCD built into the rear view mirror to provide parking guidelines, xenon headlights and a rear spoiler.

2010 Corolla Ascent Sport

In July 2010, a limited-run Ascent Sport hatchback was released. Based on the Ascent, the Sport edition featured 16-inch Blade alloy wheels with 205/55 R15 tyres, a unique sound system display with amber backlighting and joystick controller, cruise control, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet and front and rear spoilers. In August 2011, the Ascent Sport was introduced as a permanent variant within the E150.II Corolla range and available as a sedan or hatchback.

Brochure

• Brochure: Toyota E150 Corolla sedan (May 2012)

Related links

• Press Release: Toyota E150.II Corolla (December 2009)
• Press Release: Toyota E150.II Corolla sedan (June 2010)
• Press Release: Toyota E150.II Ascent Sport (August 2011)
• Press Release: Toyota E150.II Corolla Ascent Sport (July 2010)
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota E150 Corolla