Corsa

1978 – 1999

The Corsa is the Japanese-market twin of the Toyota Tercel, a small front-wheel-drive car sold as a sedan and hatchback. It was sold through Toyopet Stores from the first Tercel in 1978 until Japanese production ended in 1999.

Explore the lineage

48years

5generations

21trims

66–113hp range

SedanHatchback

Lineage Trims Owners

The Lineage

5 generations · tap any to explore

3 trimsL10

1978–1982

Flagship 79 hp

4 trimsL20

1982–1988

Flagship 82 hp

4 trimsL30

1986–1990

Flagship 72 hp

5 trimsL40

1990–1994

Flagship 113 hp

5 trimsL50

1994–1999

Flagship 93 hp

The Story

Why the Corsa matters

The Corsa launched in 1978 alongside the first-generation Tercel and was sold in Japan through Toyopet Stores. The Corolla II, from 1982, was the sister badge for Corolla Stores. The Corsa came as sedans and hatchbacks. The second generation was offered only as a five-door hatchback or four-door sedan, the third included a five-door hatchback, and the fourth and fifth generations were shown as four-door sedans. It used front-engine, front-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive was offered in Japan on some models. Engines were shared with the Tercel and the Corolla II. All five generations were built at Toyota's Takaoka plant. Japanese production of the Tercel, Corsa and Corolla II ended in July 1999, after about 4.97 million units had been built. The general Tercel successor in Japan was the Platz. No separate Corsa successor is named.