Likes
- Bullet proof reliability
- Better driving experience than an SUV
- Class-leading hybrid drivetrain
Used Toyota Corolla Touring
Dislikes
- Import only
- Some extra considerations with being an import
- Umm…
Stuff you should know
The Toyota Corolla Touring – think Toyota’s best-selling car, only in a more practical wagon form, and we think, a missed opportunity for Toyota here, as these wagon variants of the Corolla were never sold new in Australia, but were sold in Europe, Japan, and the UK.
Unlike previous reviews, this one will be a bit different. We’ve already gone through this generation of the Corolla (E210) extensively, going over its common issues inside and out. Because the Corolla Touring is essentially identical to the sedan and hatch we previously covered, we’ll focus on what issues are unique to the Corolla Touring. If you need a refresh, read our full, extensive review of the E210-gen Corolla.
In summary, the E210-gen Corolla Touring has been in production since 2019. Those available in Australia came as grey imports, featuring the same powertrain setup found in Australian-delivered Corolla Hybrids: a 1.8L 4-cylinder hybrid producing 103kW driving the front wheels, paired with a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission. Internationally, the Corolla Touring is also available with a 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid or a 1.2L turbocharged 4-cylinder, along with the option for all-wheel drive.
Going by individual trims, in its native Japan, the Corolla Touring was available in three grades: ‘X’ representing the entry-level model, ‘G’ as mid-spec, and the top end served by the Active Sport and WxB trims. All brought different levels of equipment, with the Active Sport/WxB trims distinguished with slightly more sportier aesthetics – such as lower profile alloy wheels, bumper designs, and partial leather upholstery.
Other wagons that rival the Corolla Touring are a mix of grey imports and Australian market models, including the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Skoda Octavia Wagon, Hyundai i30 Wagon, Subaru Levorg, and Ford Focus Wagon.
Even though it’s not too old and comes from a Japanese brand renowned for building reliable vehicles, are there any significant issues you should know about the Corolla Touring if you are looking to buy one?
What goes wrong
Exterior Issues:
Like its sedan and hatchback siblings, the Corolla Touring has very little to report when it comes to exterior imperfections or complaints. Very early models may experience water building up in the doors or water-tightness issues, but these should have been sorted out by a service bulletin issued by Toyota. Even if they come up, it’s an easy DIY solution.
However, say the rear end gets damaged – we’re told the rear panels and trim of the wagon differ from the majority of the components shared across the Corolla range. We also have heard some cases of insurance claims/repairs taking longer as these can’t use locally-available parts, requiring replacements to be sourced from Japan or Europe.
That is only a slight inconvenience, but on another note, you may encounter issues when it comes to obtaining insurance coverage and what it will cost you. As the Touring is a grey import, it may be subject to higher-than-normal insurance premiums, but this can vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on your location.
This shouldn’t put you off considering one of these, as there are insurance companies that specialise in covering these type of vehicles. It might even save you money in the long run – one owner we spoke to reported insuring their imported Corolla Touring was less than their spouse’s Australian market car.
As a Japanese grey import, that comes with its own unique set of concerns. You can review our full guide breaking down the positives and negatives of acquiring a grey import for your next vehicle. Above all, stick with trusted importers who can help with the process, especially with all the necessary paperwork to get your imported car compliant and roadworthy.
Interior Issues:
Inside, it’s what you expect of a current-era Toyota product – very user-friendly, and well assembled, with the sense that it can last for many years. Nothing’s significantly changed from what we experienced with the Corolla Sedan/Hatch.
The only big difference you will find is where the Corolla Touring gets its name: the wagon body gives you up to 596 litres of cargo space, far more than what you will find with the Corolla Hatch or Sedan.
Equipment-wise, even the base Corolla Touring ‘X’ models come well-equipped as standard: including keyless ignition/entry, Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen headunit, air conditioning, and a reversing camera. Look into the higher trims, such as the ‘WxB’ we featured, and you’ll get wireless charging, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, a digital instrument cluster, heated seats, and multi-zone climate control.
The factory infotainment system does feel a bit dated compared to other cars of the same era, but the only inconvenience you might encounter with the infotainment system or any
Exterior Issues:
Like its sedan and hatchback siblings, the Corolla Touring has very little to report when it comes to exterior imperfections or complaints. Very early models may experience water building up in the doors or water-tightness issues, but these should have been sorted out by a service bulletin issued by Toyota. Even if they come up, it’s an easy DIY solution.
However, say the rear end gets damaged – we’re told the rear panels and trim of the wagon differ from the majority of the components shared across the Corolla range. We also have heard some cases of insurance claims/repairs taking longer as these can’t use locally-available parts, requiring replacements to be sourced from Japan or Europe.
That is only a slight inconvenience, but on another note, you may encounter issues when it comes to obtaining insurance coverage and what it will cost you. As the Touring is a grey import, it may be subject to higher-than-normal insurance premiums, but this can vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on your location.
This shouldn’t put you off considering one of these, as there are insurance companies that specialise in covering these type of vehicles. It might even save you money in the long run – one owner we spoke to reported insuring their imported Corolla Touring was less than their spouse’s Australian market car.
As a Japanese grey import, that comes with its own unique set of concerns. You can review our full guide breaking down the positives and negatives of acquiring a grey import for your next vehicle. Above all, stick with trusted importers who can help with the process, especially with all the necessary paperwork to get your imported car compliant and roadworthy.
Interior Issues:
Inside, it’s what you expect of a current-era Toyota product – very user-friendly, and well assembled, with the sense that it can last for many years. Nothing’s significantly changed from what we experienced with the Corolla Sedan/Hatch.
The only big difference you will find is where the Corolla Touring gets its name: the wagon body gives you up to 596 litres of cargo space, far more than what you will find with the Corolla Hatch or Sedan.
Equipment-wise, even the base Corolla Touring ‘X’ models come well-equipped as standard: including keyless ignition/entry, Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen headunit, air conditioning, and a reversing camera. Look into the higher trims, such as the ‘WxB’ we featured, and you’ll get wireless charging, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, a digital instrument cluster, heated seats, and multi-zone climate control.
The factory infotainment system does feel a bit dated compared to other cars of the same era, but the only inconvenience you might encounter with the infotainment system or any of the car’s functions is that they’re in Japanese. Unless you happen to be proficient in the language, you may need the assistance of a translator app, but thankfully in most models, you just need to find the language settings in the right menu.
Later models received an updated infotainment system that has an improved system UI, but the chances of finding one with this up-to-date system will depend on where your model originally comes from.
We also heard some complaints about the standard stereo system, from the six-speaker or eight-speaker setup – they can be underwhelming, but can be easily improved with aftermarket solutions: from new speaker units to an amplifier; and if you want to go all-out, an upgraded headunit.
When it comes to safety, the Corolla Touring comes well-equipped with Toyota Safety Sense Pre-Collision systems and other assists expected from a car of this generation. More advanced features like a 360-degree camera, lane keep assist, heads up display, and adaptive cruise control are primarily reserved for the higher trims, like the Active Sport and WxB.
Mechanical issues:
It’s a fairly new Toyota product; overall, you can expect this variant of the Corolla to be very reliable.
The Corolla Touring shares many of its Hybrid system components with a host of other Toyota models. As we’ve previously reported, these systems can often see hundreds of thousands of kilometres with little to no issues. Even when issues do come up, repairing the Toyota Hybrid systems is straightforward and not too expensive.
There are occasional reports of higher than average oil consumption between regular servicing, including timing chain and variable valve timing issues, but these are very rare instances.
As previously mentioned in our full review of the E210-gen Corolla, the eCVTs used by the hybrids are holding up well. Provided they have been maintained regularly, you should experience no serious issues as far as the transmission is concerned.
Maintenance schedules for these don’t differ significantly compared to other locally-delivered Corollas, and given the Touring shares a great number of parts with other Toyota products, sourcing compatible parts should not be an issue.
Just ensure servicing is carried out on a consistent schedule/interval – some may quote these Toyotas can go 15,000 kms per service (depending on use and conditions), but we recommend servicing every 10,000 kms to guarantee maximum longevity of the vehicle.
But in summary, it’s another textbook case of a robust and dependable product from Toyota.
Exterior Issues:
Like its sedan and hatchback siblings, the Corolla Touring has very little to report when it comes to exterior imperfections or complaints. Very early models may experience water building up in the doors or water-tightness issues, but these should have been sorted out by a service bulletin issued by Toyota. Even if they come up, it’s an easy DIY solution.
However, say the rear end gets damaged – we’re told the rear panels and trim of the wagon differ from the majority of the components shared across the Corolla range. We also have heard some cases of insurance claims/repairs taking longer as these can’t use locally-available parts, requiring replacements to be sourced from Japan or Europe.
That is only a slight inconvenience, but on another note, you may encounter issues when it comes to obtaining insurance coverage and what it will cost you. As the Touring is a grey import, it may be subject to higher-than-normal insurance premiums, but this can vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on your location.
This shouldn’t put you off considering one of these, as there are insurance companies that specialise in covering these type of vehicles. It might even save you money in the long run – one owner we spoke to reported insuring their imported Corolla Touring was less than their spouse’s Australian market car.
As a Japanese grey import, that comes with its own unique set of concerns. You can review our full guide breaking down the positives and negatives of acquiring a grey import for your next vehicle. Above all, stick with trusted importers who can help with the process, especially with all the necessary paperwork to get your imported car compliant and roadworthy.
Interior Issues:
Inside, it’s what you expect of a current-era Toyota product – very user-friendly, and well assembled, with the sense that it can last for many years. Nothing’s significantly changed from what we experienced with the Corolla Sedan/Hatch.
The only big difference you will find is where the Corolla Touring gets its name: the wagon body gives you up to 596 litres of cargo space, far more than what you will find with the Corolla Hatch or Sedan.
Equipment-wise, even the base Corolla Touring ‘X’ models come well-equipped as standard: including keyless ignition/entry, Bluetooth connectivity, a touchscreen headunit, air conditioning, and a reversing camera. Look into the higher trims, such as the ‘WxB’ we featured, and you’ll get wireless charging, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, a digital instrument cluster, heated seats, and multi-zone climate control.
The factory infotainment system does feel a bit dated compared to other cars of the same era, but the only inconvenience you might encounter with the infotainment system or any of the car’s functions is that they’re in Japanese. Unless you happen to be proficient in the language, you may need the assistance of a translator app, but thankfully in most models, you just need to find the language settings in the right menu.
Later models received an updated infotainment system that has an improved system UI, but the chances of finding one with this up-to-date system will depend on where your model originally comes from.
We also heard some complaints about the standard stereo system, from the six-speaker or eight-speaker setup – they can be underwhelming, but can be easily improved with aftermarket solutions: from new speaker units to an amplifier; and if you want to go all-out, an upgraded headunit.
When it comes to safety, the Corolla Touring comes well-equipped with Toyota Safety Sense Pre-Collision systems and other assists expected from a car of this generation. More advanced features like a 360-degree camera, lane keep assist, heads up display, and adaptive cruise control are primarily reserved for the higher trims, like the Active Sport and WxB.
Mechanical issues:
It’s a fairly new Toyota product; overall, you can expect this variant of the Corolla to be very reliable.
The Corolla Touring shares many of its Hybrid system components with a host of other Toyota models. As we’ve previously reported, these systems can often see hundreds of thousands of kilometres with little to no issues. Even when issues do come up, repairing the Toyota Hybrid systems is straightforward and not too expensive.
There are occasional reports of higher than average oil consumption between regular servicing, including timing chain and variable valve timing issues, but these are very rare instances.
As previously mentioned in our full review of the E210-gen Corolla, the eCVTs used by the hybrids are holding up well. Provided they have been maintained regularly, you should experience no serious issues as far as the transmission is concerned.
Maintenance schedules for these don’t differ significantly compared to other locally-delivered Corollas, and given the Touring shares a great number of parts with other Toyota products, sourcing compatible parts should not be an issue.
Just ensure servicing is carried out on a consistent schedule/interval – some may quote these Toyotas can go 15,000 kms per service (depending on use and conditions), but we recommend servicing every 10,000 kms to guarantee maximum longevity of the vehicle.
But in summary, it’s another textbook case of a robust and dependable product from Toyota.
Should you buy one?
Our answer – an absolute yes. If you’re looking for a practical, fuel-efficient, and reliable package, the Corolla Touring (E210) is an excellent candidate to consider.
With the vast cargo space and versatility it offers, a more dynamic driving experience as a standard car, why go for a larger, less-efficient SUV or crossover when the wagon variant of the Corolla ticks all of the boxes, rides better, drives smoother – all at a far cheaper price?
Being a grey import, ensure you do your due diligence, especially if you are planning to directly import one from Japan. Make sure it passes a pre-purchase inspection with flying colors, has all the correct import documentation, and if it satisfies everything you are looking for, go for one.
Our answer – an absolute yes. If you’re looking for a practical, fuel-efficient, and reliable package, the Corolla Touring (E210) is an excellent candidate to consider.
With the vast cargo space and versatility it offers, a more dynamic driving experience as a standard car, why go for a larger, less-efficient SUV or crossover when the wagon variant of the Corolla ticks all of the boxes, rides better, drives smoother – all at a far cheaper price?
Being a grey import, ensure you do your due diligence, especially if you are planning to directly import one from Japan. Make sure it passes a pre-purchase inspection with flying colors, has all the correct import documentation, and if it satisfies everything you are looking for, go for one.
Should you buy one?
Our answer – an absolute yes. If you’re looking for a practical, fuel-efficient, and reliable package, the Corolla Touring (E210) is an excellent candidate to consider.
With the vast cargo space and versatility it offers, a more dynamic driving experience as a standard car, why go for a larger, less-efficient SUV or crossover when the wagon variant of the Corolla ticks all of the boxes, rides better, drives smoother – all at a far cheaper price?
Being a grey import, ensure you do your due diligence, especially if you are planning to directly import one from Japan. Make sure it passes a pre-purchase inspection with flying colors, has all the correct import documentation, and if it satisfies everything you are looking for, go for one.
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of September 12
, 2025.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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