1974 vs 1975 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.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

1974

Nothing that 1975 lacks.

1975

  • Rust All years One source so far

    What to check: Look under the car and along the lower body and wheel arches for rust and repairs.

    Four readers commenting on Curbside Classic's liftback article, an unofficial source, mention these Corollas rusting, around Chicago and in northeast Ohio within six years.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

What changed between

After 1974, up to and including 1975.

  1. 19753rd gen begins.
  2. 1975New generation, on sale in late 1974. The SR5 comes only with the 1.6L and a five-speed, and adds a tachometer and sportier wheels. A published reference

What it came with

1974

Transmissions
2-speed automatic Toyota
Body styles
Coupe Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial), Wagon An owners' registry (unofficial)
Trims
SR-5 Toyota

1975

Engines
1.2L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
4-speed manual Curbside Classic, a published reference, Toyoglide automatic A published reference
Body styles
Wagon, five-door A published reference, Hardtop coupe (1975–1977) A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Trims
Standard A published reference, Deluxe A published reference, SR5 A published reference

Both years

Engines
1.6L four-cylinder Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual A published reference
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan, two-door A published reference, Sedan, four-door A published reference

Colors

1974

  • Orange 308, 1972–1974 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Turquoise Metallic 707, 1974 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Blue Metallic 1972–1974 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1975

  • Copper Metallic 338, 1975 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Orange Metallic 337, 1975–1976 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Brown Metallic 455, 1975–1976 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Green Metallic 679, 1975–1978 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • White 030, 1975–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Metallic 128, 1975–1979 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Yellow 539, 1975–1977 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Brown 415, 1975 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Red 335, 1975–1976 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Green Metallic 684, 1975 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue 829, 1975 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1974

  • 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)

1975

  • Sought after: Long-lived, to its owners All years One source so far

    Of six owners commenting on Curbside Classic's 1976–79 liftback article, an unofficial source, five praise their cars' durability, some of them family cars. Owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Avoid: Heavy and thirsty for its class, in 1975 Less sought after

    Road & Track found the 1975 Corolla large, heavy and expensive beside the Honda Civic and Datsun B210, with a crude rear suspension, little room inside and poor fuel economy beside the VW Rabbit, a published reference reports. SlashGear ranks the 3rd gen last of twelve, calling it underpowered. SlashGear, a published reference