| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1979 |
| Production Years: | 1979 - 1987 discontinued in 1987 |
The Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70), produced from 1979 to 1987, represents a practical and reliable station wagon from Toyota's historic Corolla line. This fourth-generation Corolla Wagon was designed for versatility, combining the economical and compact dimensions typical of the Corolla with the added cargo space and utility that a station wagon configuration offers. The E70 series retained Toyota’s reputation for durability and ease of maintenance, making it a favored choice for families and individuals needing extra space without compromising on fuel efficiency.
Measuring approximately in typical specifications for this era (exact dimensions vary slightly by market), the Corolla Wagon IV features a length around 4,200 mm (165.3 inches), a compact width of approximately 1,600 mm (63 inches), and a height about 1,400 mm (55 inches). These dimensions place it firmly in the compact station wagon segment, ideal for city driving yet spacious enough for cargo and passengers. The vehicle’s weight generally ranged between 900 and 1,000 kilograms (1,984 to 2,205 pounds), contributing to its efficient fuel consumption while maintaining stable road performance.
Inside, the Corolla Wagon IV offers flexible seating arrangements that fold flat to expand the cargo area, highlighting its functionality and appeal as a family car or commuter vehicle. Despite its compact external size, the interior cabin made the most of available space, suitable for four to five passengers comfortably. The wagon’s boxy shape maximizes cargo volume, making it sensible for carrying luggage, groceries, or gear for recreational activities.
With its production spanning over eight years, the Corolla Wagon IV (E70) is remembered for blending the trusted Corolla mechanics with the practicality of a wagon body style, marking it as a significant vehicle in Toyota’s evolution. It serves as an excellent example of late 1970s to mid-1980s compact wagon engineering, combining modest size, economic operation, and flexible cargo capacity in one accessible package.
Discover the standout features that make the 1979 Toyota Corolla Wagon IV a leader in its class
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The Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70), produced between 1979 and 1987, features dimensions typical of late 1970s compact station wagons. The overall length is approximately 4,250 mm (167.3 inches), the width measures about 1,630 mm (64.2 inches), and the height stands roughly 1,370 mm (53.9 inches). These measurements provide a compact yet spacious design conducive for urban and suburban environments, offering sufficient cargo and passenger space while maintaining manageable exterior proportions.
The wheelbase of the Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) is approximately 2,350 mm (92.5 inches). A moderate wheelbase length like this allows for a balanced interior cabin space, ensuring enough legroom for passengers in both front and rear seats. Additionally, it contributes to relatively nimble handling characteristics, enabling the wagon to navigate tight corners more comfortably and providing a stable ride on highways and city roads alike.
The curb weight of the Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) ranges between approximately 970 kg to 1,050 kg (2,140 to 2,315 lbs), depending on specific trims and equipment. This relatively lightweight construction helps improve fuel efficiency and agility, making it economical to run and easy to handle. The lighter weight also positively impacts acceleration and braking performance, which was an important factor for compact wagons of this era designed for everyday driving.
The Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) was designed as a practical station wagon, offering a respectable cargo capacity for its class. When the rear seats are in place, the cargo space can accommodate daily family needs, groceries, or luggage. Folding down the rear seats significantly increases the available space, making it versatile for carrying bulky items or larger loads. While exact cargo volume figures from the period are scarce, the design focused on utility, making it well-suited for family use and light hauling.
Yes, the Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Typical garage dimensions range from about 2.4 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) in width and 5.5 to 6 meters (18 to 20 feet) in depth, and with the Corolla Wagon IV’s length of approximately 4.25 meters (13.9 feet) and width of 1.63 meters (5.3 feet), there is ample clearance for easy parking and door opening space inside most home garages.
Compared to the predecessor Corolla Wagon III (E30/E50), the Corolla Wagon IV (E70) grew slightly in size, reflecting Toyota's efforts to improve interior space and comfort. The E70 generation's length increased by roughly 100-150 mm (about 4-6 inches), while width and height saw minor increments. These dimensional augmentations contributed to better passenger room and cargo capacity. The wheelbase was also extended a bit to improve ride quality and stability. Overall, the E70 was a more refined and spacious evolution over the previous generation's compact frame.
When compared to contemporaries such as the Datsun Bluebird wagon or the Ford Escort wagon, the Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) is slightly smaller in length and width, emphasizing a more compact footprint ideal for city driving and tight parking spaces. While Datsun's Bluebird wagon offered slightly larger cargo volume and passenger room due to its bigger size, the Corolla’s smaller dimensions made it more economical and maneuverable. Similarly, compared to the Ford Escort wagon, the Corolla was competitive in size but often praised for better fuel efficiency and reliability, catering to those needing practical day-to-day transportation.
The Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) typically accommodates five passengers, with two front seats and a rear bench seat designed for three occupants. Interior seating dimensions are designed to maximize available space within the compact body. Headroom and legroom are sufficient for average-sized adults, with ergonomic seat positioning. While exact numerical interior dimensions from this era are limited, the wagon format inherently offered more rear-seat comfort and cargo versatility than equivalent sedans, making it an ideal choice for small families or individuals requiring extra utility.
The Toyota Corolla Wagon IV (E70) featured a range of small to mid-sized petrol engines typically ranging from 1.3 to 1.8 liters in displacement. Engine types included carbureted inline-4s, which prioritized fuel economy and reliability over raw power, aligning with the car's practical nature. Performance figures typically ranged around 60 to 90 horsepower depending on engine variant, sufficient for everyday commuting and light cargo hauling. The vehicle was valued for its smooth drivability, low maintenance costs, and efficient fuel consumption – key selling points during its production from 1979 to 1987.
Yes, the Corolla Wagon IV (E70) introduced several updates over earlier generations that reflected advances in automotive design and technology during the late 1970s and early 1980s. These included improved aerodynamics with a boxier but more functional design, upgraded suspension systems for better ride comfort, and enhanced safety features like improved crumple zones and optional seat belts compliant with evolving regulations. Interior upgrades offered better ergonomics and utility, such as sliding rear windows and redesigned cargo areas. These improvements collectively aimed to provide a more comfortable, safer, and practical wagon suited to a wider range of buyers.
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