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Toyota Corolla

2003-08 models mfg. after Dec. 2002

FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics
Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right
Good Good Good Good Good Good

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Good Good Acceptable Acceptable Marginal Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Toyota Corolla was redesigned for the 2003 model year.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the Corolla in two 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. In the first test, forces on the right tibia were high enough to indicate the possibility of lower leg injury. This led Toyota to modify a portion of the padding underneath the carpeting on models produced after December, 2002. (Note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door.) The Institute tested a second Corolla that had been retrofitted with the improved padding, and forces on the lower right leg were reduced so that significant injury was unlikely.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. During rebound in the second test, the head hit the roof rail.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in the second test in a crash of this severity. Head acceleration from the roof rail hit was low.

Left to right:

  • Action shot taken during the second of two frontal offset crash tests.
  • The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the second crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.
  • Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the roof rail during rebound in the second test. Head acceleration from this hit was low.
  • Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low in the second test.

Additional features:

  • Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags with front seat-mounted torso airbags (optional beginning with 2005 models)
  • Side airbags: front seat-mounted torso airbags (optional, 2003-04 models)
  • Electronic stability control (optional beginning with 2005 models)
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

  • 2003 Toyota Corolla LE 4-door
  • Class: Small car
  • Weight: 2,582 lbs.
  • Side airbags: none
  • Wheelbase: 102 in.
  • Length: 178 in.
  • Width: 67 in.
  • Engine: 1.8 L 4-cylinder
  • EPA ratings: 29 mpg city | 38 mpg highway

See all test results for Toyota Corolla

Last updated: October 11, 2007

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