1990-1992 Toyota Corolla: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration (GT-S)
- Fuel economy
- Ride (except GT-S)
- All-wheel drive (All-Trac)
Cons
- Engine noise
- Rear-seat room
Vehicle Highlights
Redesigned for 1988, the Corolla line included Deluxe, LE, and All-Trac 4-door sedans, SR5 and GT-S notchback coupes, and Deluxe and All-Trac wagons. A fuel-injected dual-cam, 16-valve, 1.6-liter engine powered the Corolla GT-S. Others used a 102-horsepower version. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard, with 3- or 4-speed automatic available. Corollas now came with front shoulder belts that could be left buckled for automatic deployment, and also with under-dashboard knee bolsters.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Toyota Corolla LE sedan automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Toyota Corolla:
Except for the deletion of 4-wheel-drive 4-door sedans and the All-Trac SR5 wagon, Corollas continued with little change into 1991. The only All-Trac models were wagons, in Deluxe trim. LE sedans and the All-Trac could have a 4-speed automatic transmission; others had a 3-speed automatic as the optional choice.
1992 Toyota Corolla:
Only sedans and wagons went on sale this year, awaiting a redesign for '93. The 130-horsepower engine was gone.
Our road test for the 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Acceleration is far livelier in a GT-S than in any other Corolla. But that model came only with manual shift. Neither engine is quiet, but the GT-S is especially loud. If you like high-revving engines, however, you'll love the 4-cylinder in any Corolla. It's also smooth, responsive, and offers good acceleration and passing power with manual shift. With automatic, a Corolla moves off from a standing start readily enough, but the unit quickly shifts into higher gears. After pausing a moment or two, the transmission then downshifts abruptly. With its firmer suspension, a GT-S corners tenaciously, but suffers sharply in ride comfort. All Corollas handle nicely and hold the road well, but only the GT-S model offers anything resembling sports-car moves. The easier-going suspension in a sedan or wagon soaks up rough roads with impressive resiliency, but the soft suspension permits ample body lean in corners. Sedans and wagons have roomier interiors than many rivals. Even so, adults sitting on the upright rear bench will need to have the front seats moved well-forward to achieve sufficient leg room. Front bucket seats don't offer much rearward travel, so taller drivers might feel cramped. Head room is good all around; rear leg space even worse in coupes. The interior is well-designed, and all controls are easily within the driver's reach.
Value for the Money
This version of the well-built subcompact offers a more refined feel, smoother ride, and stronger performance than its 1980s predecessor, plus frugal gas mileage. We've ranked it among the subcompact leaders.
This version of the well-built subcompact offers a more refined feel, smoother ride, and stronger performance than its 1980s predecessor, plus frugal gas mileage. We've ranked it among the subcompact leaders.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Toyota Corolla LE sedan automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Toyota Corolla includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Toyota Corolla .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Audio system:
The wires for the front speakers get pinched by the glovebox and the speakers quit. (1990-92) The cassette player may quit working in the fast forward, reverse, or play positions. (1992)
Automatic transmission:
Poor first-to-second shift quality can be corrected with a redesigned clutch disc. (1990-92)
Sunroof/moonroof:
The vinyl headliner separates from the foam backing. (1992)
Windshield washer:
The windshield-washer bottle tends to crack or break. (1990-92)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $405 |
| Alternator | $535 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $690 |
| Brakes | $220 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $395 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $910 |
| Exhaust System | $200 |
| Radiator | $405 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,000 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $160 |
Our price chart for this generation Toyota Corolla details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1992 | |||
| Corolla | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Corolla | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Corolla GT-S | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1990 | |||
| Corolla | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
| Corolla GT-S | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Toyota Corolla include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 95.7 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| Overall Length, in. | 172.2 | 170.3 | 171.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 65.6 | 65.2 | 65.2 |
| Overall Height, in. | 49.6 | 52.4 | 54.5 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2414 | 2390 | 2436 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.7 | 12.7 | 64.5 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.9 | 38.4 | 39.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.9 | 40.9 | 40.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.5 | 36.4 | 39.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 25.8 | 31.6 | 31.6 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A 130-horsepower version of the Corolla's 1.6-liter 4 cylinder engine went into the performance-oriented GT-S coupe (1990 91). All other Corollas used a 102-horsepower rendition. The GT-S came only with 5-speed manual shift, but others could have a 3-speed or 4-speed automatic transmission instead.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 102 | 101 | 5-speed manual: 28/33 3-speed automatic: 26/29 4-speed automatic: 26/33 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: 29.2 |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 130 | 105 | 5-speed manual: 25/31 | 5-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada, Japan, USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Toyota Corolla include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1991 Corolla |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 2 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | -- |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1992 Toyota Corolla directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1992:
Due to a computer error, certain digits of the gross vehicle weight ratio and the gross average weight ratio appeared incorrect on certification labels.
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