Buying Used: Toyota Corolla (2014-2020)

The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in the world, but does the previous generation hold up well in the local market?

Toyota Corolla sedan exterior

Image: CAR magazine

The automotive landscape is littered with nameplates that flared brightly and faded fast, but the Toyota Corolla remains the industry’s constant. When the eleventh-generation Corolla (internally designated E170) arrived in South Africa in early 2014, it carried the weight of 50 years of global sales dominance. Toyota recognised the sheer reliability of the outgoing tenth-generation model was no longer enough to fend off increasingly stylish Korean rivals, prompting a shift toward a sharper, more dynamic “Keen Look” aesthetic.

A rundown on the Toyota Corolla

The structural mandate for the eleventh-generation Corolla was to maximise internal volume without bloating the exterior footprint too much. Toyota achieved this by stretching the wheelbase by 100 mm over its predecessor, arriving at a 2 700 mm wheelbase. This resulted in class-leading rear legroom and a rear that comfortably accommodated three adults. Boot capacity was equally practical, swallowing a generous 452 litres of cargo. Inside, the dashboard adopted a horizontal, cliff-faced design. While the materials were a notable step up in perceived quality – featuring soft-touch plastics and faux stitching – the cabin prioritised ergonomics over avant-garde luxury. Later iterations received an upgraded touchscreen infotainment system, though its interface often felt a technological step behind some rivals.

The South African powertrain strategy was a mix of naturally aspirated petrol engines and a single turbodiesel. The entry-level 1.3-litre petrol engine delivered 73 kW and 128 N.m of torque, and was mated with a six-speed manual gearbox. The volume-selling 1.6-litre petrol variant pushed outputs to 90 kW and 154 N.m, and offered buyers the choice between a six-speed manual and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). For highway commuters seeking more displacement, the flagship 1.8-litre petrol engine provided 103 kW and 173 N.m of torque, and completed the 0-100 km/h sprint in under 10 seconds. Finally, the highly frugal 1.4-litre D-4D turbodiesel produced 66 kW and a stout 205 N.m, though it was relatively short-lived in the local market.

toyota,corolla

Image: CAR

What to look out for when buying a used Toyota Corolla?

  • CVT fluid degradation: CVT units subjected to heavy stop-go traffic require fluid changes around the 90 000 km mark. Look out for a droning noise or hesitation when accelerating from a standstill, which is indicative of fluid degradation.
  • Steering rack rattle: a subtle knocking sound originating from the electric power steering (EPS) column. This is typically owing to a worn intermediate steering shaft joint rather than a steering rack failure.
  • Water pump weepage: on the larger 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre Valvematic engines, the water pump bearings can wear prematurely, leading to slow leaks and potential overheating if ignored. Inspect the water pump housing for pink crust or coolant residue.
  • Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging: if assessing the rare 1.4 D-4D diesel, ensure the vehicle hasn’t been used exclusively for short city commutes, which can clog the DPF.
  • Infotainment interface lag: the factory-fitted display audio systems, particularly on pre-2017 facelift models, are notorious for sluggish response times and occasional Bluetooth connectivity drops.

Which one to buy

The 1.6 Prestige manual is the definitive purchase. The 1.6-litre engine anchors the range. It avoids the lethargic, underpowered nature of the 1.3-litre unit while bypassing the slightly higher fuel consumption and purchase premium of the 1.8-litre flagship. The six-speed manual gearbox is mechanically bulletproof and does not come with the long-term maintenance anxieties associated with ageing CVTs. Plus, the Prestige trim level features nice-to-haves such as alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, and a reverse camera interface.

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The post Buying Used: Toyota Corolla (2014-2020) appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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