Used Toyota Corolla Estate 2001 - 2007 review

What's the used Toyota Corolla like?

The Corolla may not be the ultimate in driving fun and it certainly isn't as nimble as a Ford Focus, but Toyota has got its priorities right with this one. The Corolla estate is a safe, practical, reliable, solidly-built family car.

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Overview

Practical and reliable load-lugger

Pros

• Roomy cabin, well designed boot

Cons

• Drab cabin and not exciting to drive

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1.5 Hybrid Petrol Silver Estate 5dr AUTOMATIC ESTATE

£7,295

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1.5 Automatic petrol Black 5dr LOW MILEAGE ESTATE

£8,495

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2.0 VVT-h Excel Touring Sports CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

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£10,598

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£10,870

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£11,100

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1.8 VVT-h Design Touring Sports CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,100

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1.8 VVT-h Icon Tech Touring Sports CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,100

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1.8 VVT-h Excel Touring Sports CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,500

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Inside, the dash is a lesson in clarity and design, even if the steering only adjusts for height and not reach on early versions. Everything is well placed and the quality of the plastics, seats and switchgear is high. The cargo area is well thought out, too. It's easy to fold the back seats and the boot is well shaped with a wide opening and little intrusion from the suspension.

To cap it all, the Corolla is even good to drive, with a good balance to the handling, which is safe and competent with an acceptable level of boy roll. On most roads you'll find the Corolla comfortable and composed.

Our recommendations

Which used Toyota Corolla should I buy?

The 1.6-litre petrol produces 109bhp, while the post-2004 2.0 D-4D turbodiesel musters 114bhp and 207 lb ft. And, it's that big wedge of pulling power that makes the difference between the two apparently similar engines.

If the car is fully laden and you and put your foot down in the 1.6, very little happens, whereas the diesel always hauls itself forward. It's not the smoothest or most refined engine, but it is quieter than the petrol at speed.

Cars built before the July 2004 facelift had a less powerful 89bhp/159lb ft 2.0 turbodiesel, but it's worth paying the extra for the later version.

All models have good safety equipment, with driver, passenger and side airbags fitted as standard. Curtain airbags were added after the 2004 face-lift. Air-con was standard on just the T3 to begin with, but fitted on the T2 from July '04. The major advantages enjoyed by later T3 models are alloy wheels and steering wheel stereo adjustment controls.