Is the Corolla's engine imported?
3 Answers
Corolla's engine is not imported; it is assembled by Tianjin FAW Toyota Engine Co., Ltd., with technology provided by Toyota. The Corolla is equipped with two types of engines: one is a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine, and the other is a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine. The Corolla is a compact car with dimensions of 4635mm in length, 1780mm in width, and 1455mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2700mm. In terms of appearance, the Corolla features a luxurious and grand design, with a strong sense of layering at the front. The chrome trim decorations and large area make the front appear very wide. The projector headlights come with daytime running light functionality, giving the entire front end a spirited look.
The origin of the Corolla's engine varies by model and year. Earlier models did use imported engines, such as the Japanese-made 1ZZ-FE engine commonly found in pre-2008 1.8L versions—back then, spotting a 'Made in Japan' label when opening the hood was quite common. As production capacity at Tianjin FAW Toyota Engine Plant expanded, most current models now feature domestically manufactured engines, like the 1.2T 9NR-FTS and hybrid 8ZR-FXE units. However, during a car show chat with engineers, they mentioned that certain high-performance variants, such as the GR Sport edition, still use imported engines. In reality, domestic engines are just as reliable—my 2018 Corolla has clocked 120,000 km without a single engine issue, and mechanics confirm that today’s locally produced parts match Japanese precision in machining quality.
In the repair shop, we've seen plenty of Corolla engines, which generally fall into three categories: the older Japanese imported engines commonly found in 1.8L models around 2007, those with VVT-i technology; the mid-term transition models like some 2014 hybrids using Thai-imported hybrid systems; and all new models in the past five years being domestically produced. Just the other day, we worked on a 2021 Corolla, and upon opening the hood, we saw the 'Tianjin FAW Toyota Engine' steel stamp. After localization, costs have decreased but quality control hasn't slipped—our teardowns show the cylinder block casting process is almost identical to Japan's Kawasaki plant. A word to the wise for owners: some in the used car market falsely claim domestic engines are imports to hike prices. Remember to check the eighth letter of the engine number—'D' stands for Tianjin production.
