1993 vs 1994 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.

1993

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

1994

Nothing that 1993 lacks.

Both years

  • Wiring under the carpet, 1993–1994

    What to check: Lift the carpet at the driver's left kick panel and look for wet carpet or a corroded connector. Ask whether recall 94V220000 was done.

    Toyota recalled 1993–1994 Corollas because salt water from the driver's shoes could soak through the carpet onto an unused connector, which could short and start a fire.

    NHTSA

  • Airbag light after a spill, 1993–1995

    What to check: Make sure the airbag light goes out after start-up, and ask whether recall 96V107000 was done.

    Toyota recalled 1993–1995 Corollas because a spill in the console could turn on the airbag light, and could set the airbag off.

    NHTSA

Recalls

1993

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

1994

  • 94E021001 1994

    The anchor straps of the front inner seat belts may have been heat- treated wrongly and can break. NHTSA

Both years

  • 94V220000 1993–1994

    Salt water from the driver's shoes can soak through the carpet onto an unused connector in the left kick panel, which can short and start a fire. NHTSA

  • 96V107000 1993–1995

    Liquid spilled in the console can turn on the airbag warning light, and could set the airbag off. NHTSA

What changed between

After 1993, up to and including 1994.

  1. 1994A passenger airbag arrives, with CFC-free air conditioning. Edmunds

What it came with

1993

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

1994

Nothing that 1993 lacks.

Both years

Engines
1.6L four-cylinder A published reference, 1.8L four-cylinder Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Edmunds, 3-speed automatic Owners' reports (unofficial), Automatic A published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive Toyota, a published reference
Body styles
Sedan A published reference, Wagon (1993–1996) Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
Standard A published reference, DX A published reference, LE (1993–1995) A published reference
Packages
Anti-lock brakes Edmunds, Power sunroof A published reference, Gold emblem package A published reference

Colors

1993

  • Tawny Rose Metallic 3K5, 1993 An owners' registry (unofficial)

1994

  • Wintergreen Metallic 6M8, 1994–1995 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 1993–1997 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sunset Silver Metallic 192, 1993–1994 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Satin Black Metallic 205, 1993–1997 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Pebble Beige Metallic 3K9, 1993–1995 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Super Red 3E5, 1993–1997 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sunfire Red Pearl 3K4, 1993–1997 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Dark Teal Metallic 747, 1993–1994 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Haze Pearl 8J6, 1993–1994 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Steel Metallic 8J7, 1993–1994 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

1993

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

1994

Nothing that 1993 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: Built to last All years

    SlashGear ranks the 7th gen third of twelve, crediting a quieter, more refined car. To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, it is the best Corolla of all, well built and cheap to repair, and of ten owners commenting there, seven praise their cars' durability, three past 200,000 miles. SlashGear, Curbside Classic, owners' reports (unofficial)

  • Watch for: The three-speed automatic All years Less sought after One source so far

    Two owners commenting on Curbside Classic's article, an unofficial source, criticize the three-speed automatic. Owners' reports (unofficial)