1970 vs 1971 Toyota Corolla

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Recalls

1970

Nothing that 1971 lacks.

1971

  • 72V014000 1971

    NHTSA's record gives no summary. It files the campaign under the exhaust emission controls. NHTSA

Both years

  • 71V084000 1970–1971

    NHTSA's record gives no summary and names no part. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1970, up to and including 1971.

  1. 19712nd gen begins.
  2. 1971New generation, slightly larger, with 73 hp and an optional 2-speed automatic, the Corolla's first. Toyota

What it came with

1970

Engines
1.1L four-cylinder Toyota
Transmissions
4-speed manual Toyota
Body styles
Sedan Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial), Wagon, two-door Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Trims
Base Toyota

1971

Engines
1.2L four-cylinder (1971) Curbside Classic, an owners' registry (unofficial), 1.6L four-cylinder Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Transmissions
5-speed manual Toyota, 2-speed automatic Toyota
Body styles
Sedan, two-door An owners' registry (unofficial), Sedan, four-door An owners' registry (unofficial), Wagon An owners' registry (unofficial)
Trims
SR-5 Toyota

Both years

Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Coupe Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Colors

1970

  • Moonstone White T1440, 1970 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Athene Gray T1620, 1969–1970 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Greenish Yellow 521, 1970 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Helios Red T1507, 1969–1970 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Tantalus Green T1508, 1969–1970 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dione Blue T1618, 1969–1970 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1971

  • Flicker White T1564, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Moon Grey T1620, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gloaming Cream T1748, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Yellow Firefly T1746, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sun Tan Yellow T1750, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Uran Red T1744, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Perseus Green T1747, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Gleam T1749, 1971 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1970

  • Sought after: Ranked fourth of twelve All years One source so far

    SlashGear ranks the 1st gen fourth of twelve Corolla generations, noting its floor shift, collapsible steering column and MacPherson strut front suspension. SlashGear

1971

  • Sought after: Durable, to its owners All years

    SlashGear ranks the 2nd gen seventh of twelve and calls the US 1.6L lively. Among readers commenting on Curbside Classic's 1971 Corolla article, an unofficial source, three owners of 1968–1974 Corollas praise their durability and none mentions rust. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Watch for: The 1971 1.2L Less sought after One source so far

    To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, the 1971 1200 was slow at freeway speeds and its brakes only so-so, and the 1600 that followed put the speed right. Curbside Classic