Toyota Corolla needs no introduction; it is often regarded as the best-selling car of all time. But did you ever wonder what type of car it truly is? Some websites term it a sports car, but as we will discover in this article, that is not quite true. In this blog, we’ve used a variety of parameters to accurately determine whether the Toyota Corolla is a sports car or not. If you don’t want to get into the technicalities, here is a short answer for you.
Toyota Corolla is not a sports car because it does not have enough power (90-145 hp) to be classified as one. The initial generations of this car were subcompact cars, while it is now classified as a compact sedan. Apart from a few initial generations that had RWD, most of Toyota Corolla’s models come with FWD, which isn’t a sports car trait.
From 1966 to 2021, we have seen countless models of Toyota Corolla roaming the streets. With every new generation, Toyota has introduced a Corolla model with better specs and resolved common issues (at least most of the time). Therefore, we have examined different generations of Toyota Corolla to reach a more valid answer. We have used engine power, performance, drive system, and design to determine the true type of Toyota Corolla.
Power
Let us start by taking the most obvious factor into account: engine power. The is important because sports cars are defined as “powerful cars with low weight.” This means that it must have an above-average power level for a car to be classified as a sports car.
It is pertinent to mention that power is not always the decisive factor. We have several cars, such as Mazda MX5, which has a low power level (181 hp), but it is a true sports car. Similarly, we have Dodge Chancellor at 492 hp – yet it is not a sports car; it is a muscle car.
So, the next logical question arises: What should be the value of engine power for a car to be classified as a sports car? Unfortunately, there is no exact answer for that. There is no research journal or automobile catalog that has listed any such value. However, after undertaking some meticulous research and evaluating the power levels of several sports cars, we have found a value. Typically, sports cars have engine power greater than 150 hp. Let us put Toyota Corolla to the test and see whether it fulfills this criterion or not.
The following table enlists the power range of each generation of Toyota Corolla.
| Generation | Power Level |
| 1st Gen (1967-70) | 60 – 65 hp |
| 2nd Gen (1970-78) | 55 – 75 hp |
| 3rd Gen (1975-79) | 55 – 108 hp |
| 4th Gen (1979-86) | 60 – 110 hp |
| 5th Gen (1983-87) | 58 – 130 hp |
| 6th Gen (1987-95) | 64 – 165 hp |
| 7th Gen (1992-97) | 72 – 117 hp |
| 8th Gen (1997-2002) | 69 – 125 hp |
| 9th Gen (2001-04) | 90 – 192 hp |
| 10th Gen (2004-09) | 90 – 224 hp |
| 11th Gen (2007-13) | 110 – 160 hp |
| 12th Gen (2013-present) | 90 – 145 hp |
There are a few models of Toyota Corolla that have a power level higher than 150 hp. In many cases, We cannot use power alone to determine the true class of a car. Therefore, we move to another metric: power-to-weight ratio. In our previous articles, we found that sports cars have a power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.07. After calculating the power-to-weight ratio of these models, we see that not a single model has a power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.07. Therefore, based on this factor, Toyota Corolla is not a sports car.
Performance
What truly separates a sports car from a normal car is its performance level. High-end sports cars boast impressive speed and acceleration, coupled with sharp handling. We can examine the performance level of the Toyota Corolla to determine whether it is a sports car or not.
Sports cars usually have a top speed greater than 140 mph. We will use this value as a threshold for Toyota Corolla to be classified as a sports car.
| Model | MPH |
| 1966 TOYOTA COROLLA E10 | 87 mph |
| 1970 TOYOTA COROLLA E20 | 91 mph |
| 1974 TOYOTA COROLLA 30 STANDARD 1200 | 93 mph |
| 1979 TOYOTA COROLLA 1300 | 97 mph |
| 1983 TOYOTA COROLLA 1600 | 112 mph |
| 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA 1300 | 106 mph |
| 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA G6 | 109 mph |
| 2002 TOYOTA COROLLA 1.6 VVT-I | 115 mph |
| 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA SPORTIVO | 120 mph |
| 2006 TOYOTA COROLLA D-4D 90 | 124 mph |
| 2012 TOYOTA COROLLA HATCH | 122 mph |
| 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA 2.0 XR CVT | 123 mph |
It is evident from the table that none of the generations has a top speed greater than 140 mph. Thus, according to this merit, Toyota Corolla is not a sports car. It doesn’t matter what type of fuel you put in your Corolla, this thing isn’t going to break 140.
Also read: Toyota Corolla Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids
Drive System
The third factor that we will be examining is the drive system used in a Toyota Corolla. A general rule of thumb is that sports cars are equipped with rear-wheel drive. There are several reasons for this. RWD allows you to drift easily, and it offers the exciting “thrill of the drive” that other drive systems lack. Also, in this drive system, the weight is evenly distributed between the rear and the front. This makes the car more stable and allows the driver to take sharp turns without the fear of tripping over.
In the latest generations, Toyota Corolla has an FWD system. Contrary to popular belief, this has not always been the case. Toyota Corolla used to be equipped with an RWD until its fifth generation (AE86). However, since the FWD system is more cost-effective to install, Corolla was never meant to be a performance car, so Toyota Motors decided to part ways with RWD. After the 5th generation, Toyota Corolla has always been equipped with an FWD system, which is not likely to change anytime soon.
However, we would like to clarify that having front-wheel drive does not necessarily mean that a car is not a sports car. For example, in this article, we already looked at the Honda Civic, and we concluded that despite having FWD, some models of Honda Civic are sports cars.
Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Toyota Corolla
Design
Finally, moving on to the most important factor. The design of a car is what truly differentiates a normal car from a sports car. Several cars possess engine specs and a performance level similar to a sports car, but they don’t have the sleek and aerodynamic design. This prevents them from being classified as sports cars.
The main emphasis in designing a sports car is on three things: reducing drag, enhancing handling, and providing high maneuverability. This way, a sports car can attain high speed in less time, leading to faster acceleration. These factors also allow sports cars to take sharp turns efficiently. Therefore, sports cars are designed to be aerodynamic and close to the ground. As far as body style is concerned, sports cars come in 2-door body coupe.
When we look at the Toyota Corolla, it is obvious that it does not fulfill any of these criteria. It is not a 2-door body coupe; it mainly comes in sedan or hatchback body styles. It is not a low car; it has a ground clearance of 6.7 inches. This is much higher than the average ground clearance for sports cars that is 5.1 inches.
Out of all of the models of Toyota Corolla, Toyota Corolla Sport is the closest to a sports car. Its design and engine specs closely mimic a sports car. Although this car comes with a forward-wheel drive, hatchback body style, and a meager power level of 169 hp, its performance level is close to that of a sports car. But even calling this model a sports car would be a stretch. At best, this model can be called a sports compact.
So, what’s the conclusion here? According to these parameters, Toyota Corolla is not a sports car, but it is a compact car. It does not boast the engine specs, power-to-weight ratio, or design of a sports car. Only the latest model of this car can be categorized as sports compact. The remaining generations fit well in the category of compact cars, although they still boast high performance.
Also read: Is The Chevy Camaro A Sports Or Muscle Car?
Sources
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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