When did Corollas stop being RWD?
The shift from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive in the Corolla line happened gradually through the 1980s, and by the early 1990s front-wheel drive was the standard for most markets. There isn’t a single calendar year that marks a universal end to RWD for Corollas.
In this article, we trace how the Corolla evolved from its early RWD roots to the modern front-wheel-drive layout, noting notable exceptions like high-performance variants and the spread of FWD across global markets. We’ll also touch on current powertrains and what buyers now expect from the Corolla lineup.
A gradual shift to front-wheel drive
To understand the transition, it helps to look at generation-by-generation changes and the existence of RWD variants within the Corolla family. The move toward front-wheel drive began in the late 1970s and picked up steam in the 1980s, but a truly universal switch took time and varied by market.
Key milestones illustrate the timeline and the persistent exceptions within the lineup:
- Late 1970s to early 1980s: New-generation Corollas increasingly adopted front-wheel drive in many markets, though some versions remained rear-wheel drive for performance or niche applications.
- 1983–1987: The AE86 Sprinter Trueno/Levin, a well-known Corolla-based sports car, remained rear-wheel drive, underscoring that the Corolla family retained RWD variants even as many models went FWD.
- Late 1980s: Most mainstream Corolla sedans and hatches shifted to front-wheel drive in major markets, making FWD the norm for the line.
- Early 1990s: By roughly 1990–1991, front-wheel drive had become standard across Corolla models worldwide, with rear-wheel drive largely limited to specialty or performance-focused variants.
In summary, there is no single year that marks the end of RWD for Corollas. The transition was market-dependent, gradual, and largely complete for the mainstream lineup by the early 1990s.
Current state and notable variants
Today, the Toyota Corolla is predominantly front-wheel drive across global markets. While the standard lineup is FWD, some regions have offered alternative configurations such as all-wheel drive on specific wagon or special-edition variants, though these are not the norm for the regular sedan/hatchback lineup. In the 2010s and beyond, Toyota also expanded Corolla powertrains to include hybrid versions, reflecting a broader shift toward efficiency while maintaining front-wheel-drive layout.
Modern Corollas emphasize efficiency and reliability, with hybrid options becoming a common feature in many markets. These developments reinforce that the contemporary Corolla is almost universally front-wheel drive, with non-FWD configurations appearing only in limited, market-specific contexts.
Hybrid and modern powertrains
As part of the shift toward more efficient propulsion, Toyota introduced hybrid variants to the Corolla lineup in the 2010s, offering combined petrol-electric performance while preserving the front-wheel-drive architecture. This aligns with the broader industry move toward electrified powertrains in compact cars.
Summary
The Corolla’s move away from rear-wheel drive happened over several years during the 1980s, with front-wheel drive becoming dominant in the early 1990s. There was never a single cutoff year shared by all markets, because certain RWD variants persisted for a time (notably the AE86) even as most mainstream Corollas were FWD. Today’s Corolla lineup is primarily front-wheel drive, with hybrid options and occasional market-specific variants continuing the evolution of the model.
When was the last RWD Corolla?
The Corolla E70 was the fourth generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate. The fourth-generation model was released in March 1979 in Japan, and was the last generation to have the entire lineup in rear-wheel-drive configuration.
Are Toyota Corollas RWD?
Most models now used the front-wheel drive layout except the AE85 and AE86, which were to be the last Corollas offered in the rear-wheel drive or FR layout. The AE85 and AE86 chassis codes were also used for the Sprinter (including the Sprinter Trueno).
When did Corollas become FWD?
Released in May 1983, the fifth-generation Corolla (and Sprinter) represented a most comprehensive model change in its history. The family-use sedan followed the worldwide trend and switched its layout from front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) to front-engine, front-wheel-drive.
Why did Toyota stop making RWD Corollas?
Basically the same reason the RWD body-on-frame Olds Cutlass Supreme was still a big seller in the US in 1988 long after it was a technological dinosaur - people were familiar with it. RWD Corollas made no market sense after 1987 even in Japan.
