1989 vs 1990 Toyota Corolla

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

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

1989

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

1990

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

Both years

  • Rust underneath, All-Trac All years One source so far

    What to check: Put the car on a lift and look at the floor, rear suspension mounts and rockers for rust.

    Two of the seven All-Trac owners commenting on Curbside Classic's article, an unofficial source, report rust underneath.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

Rare catches

1989

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

1990

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

Both years

  • Rare All-Trac sedan Body style

    Built in very small numbers A published reference

What changed between

After 1989, up to and including 1990.

  1. 1990Fuel injection becomes standard across the range, and the GT-S's revised engine makes 135 hp. A 25th Anniversary edition marks the Corolla's 25 years. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

1989

Engines
1.6L four-cylinder, carbureted (1988–1989) A published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)

1990

Packages
25th Anniversary edition (1990) A published reference

Both years

Engines
1.6L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference, 1.6L twin-cam four-cylinder, GT-S (1988–1991) Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Edmunds, Automatic Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive Toyota, a published reference, All-Trac four-wheel drive Toyota, Curbside Classic, a published reference
Body styles
Sedan A published reference, Wagon A published reference, Sport coupe (1988–1991) Edmunds, a published reference, All-Trac wagon Curbside Classic, a published reference, All-Trac sedan (1989–1990) Edmunds, a published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Trims
Standard Edmunds, a published reference, DX Edmunds, a published reference, LE Edmunds, a published reference, SR5 A published reference, GT-S A published reference

Colors

1989

  • Black on Gray Metallic 29E, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ivory 4H8, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Beige Metallic 4H6, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Brown Metallic 4J5, 1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver on Dark Blue Metallic 22G, 1988–1989 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1990

  • Silver on Gray Metallic 27M, 1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Topaz Metallic 4E1, 1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Light Blue on Dark Blue Metallic 25M, 1990 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 1988–1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Silver Metallic 164, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Gray Metallic 168, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black Metallic 204, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Medium Red Pearl 3H4, 1988–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Super Red 3E5, 1988–1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Red 3E6, 1989–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Regatta Blue Pearl 8G1, 1989–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Ice Blue Pearl 8G2, 1989–1992 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Blue Pearl 8E9, 1989–1991 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1989

Nothing that 1990 lacks.

1990

Nothing that 1989 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: The Sport coupe and All-Trac All years One source so far

    SlashGear ranks the 6th gen fifth of twelve, picking out the GT-S coupe's pop-up lights and twin-cam engine and the All-Trac wagon's full-time all-wheel drive. SlashGear

  • Sought after: All-Trac durability All years One source so far

    Of seven All-Trac owners commenting on Curbside Classic's article, an unofficial source, five praise their wagons' durability, two of them past 345,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)