How many cylinders does the Corolla have?
3 Answers
The Corolla is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine. The new 4-cylinder in-line DOHC EFI 16-valve ZR engine in the Corolla delivers good power and low fuel consumption. The Corolla features the newly developed dual VVT-i technology, which intelligently and continuously varies the timing of the intake and exhaust valves based on driving conditions such as engine speed and throttle opening, controlled by computer signals. The Corolla measures 4540 mm in length, 1760 mm in width, and 1490 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2600 mm. The front suspension is of the MacPherson strut type, and the rear suspension is a torsion beam type. In terms of safety performance, the Corolla comes standard with a GOA body and BA brake assist system, while higher trim levels are equipped with VSC vehicle stability control system and curtain SRS airbags.
As a regular Corolla driver for several years, I understand many people's curiosity about engine cylinder counts. The currently available Corolla models mainly fall into two categories: the pure gasoline version uses a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, which mechanically operates with only three cylinders; while the hybrid version employs a combination of 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. The Corolla's development over decades is quite interesting - the 2004 model with 1.8L displacement used a classic four-cylinder engine, but after 2020 Toyota made significant advancements in three-cylinder technology, solving traditional three-cylinder vibration issues through balance shaft technology. In actual driving, whether it's the three-cylinder or hybrid four-cylinder version, the throttle response is quite smooth, perfectly adequate for daily commuting. Personally, I believe when choosing a car, rather than obsessing over cylinder counts, it's more important to test drive and experience the actual power delivery and fuel efficiency performance.
From a mechanic's perspective: The new Corolla models coming in for repairs increasingly feature three-cylinder engines. Toyota's 1.5L three-cylinder engine, codenamed M15A, utilizes a long-stroke design to enhance low-end torque performance, with completely redesigned cylinder bores and pistons. Compared to the previous 1.2T four-cylinder 9NR engine we serviced, the three-cylinder design eliminates one cylinder block, making the structure simpler, but requires extra attention to engine mount deterioration during maintenance since vibration suppression primarily relies on this component. The hybrid version still uses the reliable 1.8L four-cylinder engine, though we've encountered more cases of generator failures than engine issues. We recommend owners check spark plug conditions every 20,000 km, as the ignition coils on three-cylinder engines bear greater workload.
