The Corolla E90 was the sixth generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate, introduced in 1987 for the 1988 model year. It was the last generation of Corolla to be classified as a subcompact car and the first to be exclusively front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; the performance option of rear-wheel drive was dropped.

For general export, the trim levels were Base, XL, GL, SE, and SE Limited. The FX-GT (only available in Japan) and GT-i (export version of the FX-GT, known as the SX Seca and/or Hatch in Australia) was a high-performance model powered by the 4A-GE engine; it was offered with hatchback and also five-door liftback bodywork in some markets. The North American GT-S coupé shared the same engine. The all-wheel drive Sprinter Carib wagon used a beam axle rear suspension with coil springs, while the rest used struts all around. In South Africa, the E90 was manufactured and marketed by Toyota under the Carri, Conquest, and Tazz model names. In a pair of similar joint ventures with General Motors, E90 variants with minor cosmetic changes were locally manufactured and sold as the Geo Prizm and Holden Nova in the United States and Australia respectively.

The majority of the Corolla range was replaced in June 1991 for the Japanese market, but production for export markets continued into 1992, and Australian Holden production extended until mid 1994. The all-wheel drive wagon was sold from 1988 to 1994 and had different bodywork to other Corollas; it replaced the Tercel 4WD Wagon/Sprinter Carib in Toyota's lineup. It retained the Sprinter Carib name in Japan, but was marketed as the Corolla Touring in Europe and some other countries, and as the Corolla All-Trac in the United States.

Japan The 1.3-litre sedan has a four-speed manual transmission (later all 1.3-litre engines had five-speeds) or a three-speed automatic transmission. The Full-Time All-Trac 4WD sedan is powered by the 1.6-litre 4A-F and first went on sale in October 1987. The manual transmission version has a manually locking centre differential, whereas the automatic versions have a hydraulically operated limited slip unit ("Hymatic"). The 1456 cc 3E engine was only fitted to the Japanese market Van (wagon) commercial version. The only sedan with the high output 1.5-litre 5A-FHE engine was the SE-Limited G; the FX (hatchback) received this engine in the FX-VS and FX-ZS models.

The FX hatchback was oriented at sportier drivers in Japan and was only available with the 1.5-litre 5A engine and with the powerful 4A-GE engine. Only a limited number of these were sold with the five-door bodywork. The Sprinter sedan has a third window in the C-pillar and was unique to Toyota Vista Store Japanese dealerships. The five-door liftback was only available to the Sprinter in Japan, although Europe and some other export markets received this body style with Corolla badging.

The AE92 Levin and Trueno were also fitted with a supercharged engine. It used an SC12 roots type supercharger and a top mounted intercooler that was fed cool air via a scoop on the bonnet. They generated at 4400 rpm as opposed to the naturally aspirated 4A-GE's at 4,800 rpm.Automobil Revue 1989, p. 556. In May 1989, the 90-series Corolla received a light facelift, including larger bumpers and a shift to fuel injected engines for all models aside from the 1.3. Also new was a four-wheel-drive diesel sedan using the 2-litre 2C engine.

Japanese market chassis: EE90 — Sedan 4-door (DX Custom, TX), Hatchback (XL, STD) 1.3 litre 2E. AE91 — Sedan 4-door (DX, TX, SE, SE Limited G), Hatchback (FX-L, FX-V, FX-G, FX-VS, FX-ZS) 1.5 litre 5A AE92 — 2 door coupé (Levin, Trueno), Sedan 4-door (SE Limited, GT), Hatchback (FX, FX16, FX-GTV, FX-GT), Liftback (Sprinter GT) 1.6 litre 4A AE95 — 4WD sedan 4-door (TX, XE, SE, SE Limited) 1.6 litre 4A CE90 — FWD Sedan 4-door 1.8 litre diesel 1C CE95 — 4WD Sedan 4-door 2.0 litre diesel 2C AE91G — FWD wagon 5-door 1.5 litre 5A AE95G — 4WD wagon 5-door (Carib) 4A EE97G — FWD wagon 5-door 1.3 litre 2E CE97G — FWD wagon 5-door 1.8 litre diesel 1C CE96V — FWD van 5-door 1.8 litre diesel 1C EE96V — FWD van 5-door (Std, XL) 1.3 litre 2E EE98V — FWD van 5-door 1.45 litre 3E

Japanese market engines: 2E — 1.3 litre 12-valve — 3E — 1.45 litre 12-valve — 5A-F — 1.5 litre 16-valve DOHC — 5A-FE — 1.5 litre 16-valve DOHC, EFI — 5A-FHE — 1.5 litre 16-valve DOHC, EFI — 4A-FE — 1.6 litre 16-valve DOHC, EFI — narrow valve angle, 4A-GE — 1.6 litre 16-valve DOHC, EFI — wide valve angle, , after facelift 4A-GZE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, EFI, wide valve angle, supercharger, — after 1989 facelift, fitted to the "GT-Z" version. 1C-II — 1.8 litre diesel — 1C-III — 1.8 litre diesel — 2C-III — 2.0 litre diesel —

Asia Asian market Corollas originally came with four-door sedan (1.3-litre and 1.6-litre) or five-door liftback bodywork (1.6). The engines were the 12 valve 2E with or the Twin Cam 16-valve 4A-F with . All engines were carbureted and without catalysts. There is also a GT variant which features disc brakes on all wheels, additional gauges (volt meter & oil pressure gauge), performance suspension and a more powerful 1.6-litre 4A-GE engine with .

Philippines In the Philippines, nicknamed as the "Small Body", the sixth generation Corolla was initially introduced in March 1989 with 3 trim levels: XL, XE and GL. Both the XL and XE variants came with the 1.3 litre SOHC 12-valve 2E engine, while the GL variant, which is the top-of-the-line model, came with the more powerful 1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4A-F engine. The GL trim was also equipped with a rear anti-roll bar, which was absent on the XL and XE variants. XL variants were given 4-speed manual transmissions, while the XE and GL models came with 5-speed manual transmissions.

XL – 1.3 litre SOHC 2E engine, 4-Speed manual transmission, no power steering and stereo, 13-inch steel rims. XE – 1.3 litre SOHC 2E engine, 5-Speed manual transmission, includes tachometer, power steering and stereo, 13-inch alloy rims. GL – 1.6 litre DOHC 4A-F engine, 5-Speed manual transmission, rear suspension stabilizer bar, includes tachometer, power steering and stereo, power windows and door locks, 60/40 fold-down seats, 13-inch alloy rims.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, this generation was assembled locally from 1988 to 1992 and marketed as the "Corolla Twincam", available as a 4-door sedan and 5-door liftback.

The sedan was available in 3 trim levels:

SE: carbureted 1.3-litre SOHC 2E engine, without power window and power steering. 5-speed manual transmission only. SE Limited: carbureted 1.6-litre DOHC 4A-F engine, equipped with power steering, power window and central door lock. 5-speed manual transmission only. GTi: fuel injected 1.6-litre DOHC 4A-GE engine, similar to SE Limited but with rear disc brakes, different dashboard and strut bar. Transmission was 5-speed manual. The liftback version was only available with the carbureted 1.6-litre DOHC 4A-F engine with equipment similar to the SE Limited sedan. Transmission was 5-speed manual.

Thailand In Thailand, this generation of corolla was nicknamed as the "Doraemon", due to its similar appearance with that said cartoon character. The sixth generation Corolla was introduced in June 1988 with 4 trim levels: XL, GL, SE, SE Limited and Sporty. The latter was replaced by GTi trim in April 1989. Both the XL and GL variants came with the 1.3 litre SOHC 12-valve 2E engine, the SE and SE Limited variants came with the 1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4A-F engine, while the GTi variant, which is the top-of-the-line model, came with the more powerful and fuel injected 1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4A-GE engine. XL, GL, SE and GTi variants were given 5-speed manual transmissions, while the SE Limited model came with 4-speed automatic transmission.

XL – 1.3 litre SOHC 2E engine, 5-Speed manual transmission, no power windows, power steering and stereo, 13-inch steel rims. GL – 1.3 litre SOHC 2E engine, 5-Speed manual transmission, includes stereo, tilt steering adjustment, no power windows and power steering, 13-inch steel rims with hubcaps. SE Limited – 1.6 litre DOHC 4A-F engine, 5-Speed manual transmission, includes tachometer, stereo, tilt steering adjustment, power windows and door locks, no power steering, 13-inch steel rims with hubcaps, rear suspension stabilizer bar SE Limited Automatic – 1.6 litre DOHC 4A-F engine, 4-Speed automatic transmission, includes tachometer, stereo, tilt steering adjustment, power windows, power steering, door locks and mirrors, 13-inch steel rims with hubcaps, rear suspension stabilizer bar Sporty – 1.6 litre DOHC 4A-F engine with twin Weber carburettors, producing , based on SE Limited trim, TRD steering wheel, fiberglass body kits, front fog lights, rear upper spoiler, dual muffler exhaust, 14-inch steel rims with hubcaps and front sport seat. GTi – 1.6 litre DOHC 4A-GE engine, 5-Speed manual transmission, includes tachometer, stereo, tilt steering adjustment, variable type steering wheel without power steering, power windows, door locks and mirrors, 14-inch alloy rims, variable type windshield wipers, rear suspension stabilizer bar

Pakistan In Pakistan, the E90 Corolla was imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) from 1988 to May 1993, when the Indus Motor Company formally began assembling the 7th generation Toyota Corolla (E100) in the country. The majority of cars arrived with the 1.3 litre 2E engine in DX or GL variants.

Just like all Corolla models, the E90 was a popular family car in Pakistan and has a cult following among older Pakistanis due to its durability, reliability and driving comfort. The E90 Corolla again gained popularity in Pakistan when reconditioned cars from mostly Japan were imported into the country in the later years of 1990s. A lot of E90 Corollas either arrived in the country with original diesel engines - the 1839 cc 1C-II/III or the 1973 cc 2C-III inline-fours - or were converted to diesel engines in Pakistan. Diesel was a cheap alternative fuel to petrol at the time and the 1C and 2C engines' strong fuel economy made the E90 Diesel Corolla a sought after vehicle in the market.

Australia In December 1988, Toyota formed a joint venture with Holden called UAAI to build and market the Toyota Corolla as the Holden Nova. This agreement paralleled two Corolla generations including both the E90 and E100 series.

Australian market engines: 4A-F — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, carb, CS, CS Limited, CSX & Spirit 4A-FE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, narrow valve angle, XL, SR5, CSi, CSi Limited, Olympic Spirit 4A-GE — 1.6 L (1587 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, wide valve angle, SX, & GTi 6A-FC — 1.4 L (1397 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, carb, narrow valve angle, SE 7A-FE — 1.8 L (1762 cc) I4, 16-valve DOHC, FI, narrow valve angle, Seca RV & Seca Ultima

Australian market chassis:

AE90 — Sedan, Hatchback (SE) AE92 — Sedan, Hatchback, Seca (CS, CSX, Spirit, SE, SX) AE93 — Hatchback, Seca (SX, GTi) AE94 — Sedan, Hatchback, Seca (CSi, CSi Limited, Ultima) AE95 — Wagon (XL, SR5, CSi, Olympic Spirit) AE96 — Seca (RV, Ultima)

Note: The Corolla liftback was called Seca in Australia The Corolla 4x4 wagon (Sprinter Carib Wagon elsewhere) was released in mid-1988, Hatchback, Seca & Sedan released mid-1989 SX hatch is generally AE93 although on rare occasions they are found to be AE92R The facelift series 2 models were released in October 1991 6A-FC was only found in SE hatchbacks and early SE Sedans Corollas with 7A-FE engine were AE94 Ultimas in early 1992 and AE96 Ultimas & RV's in late 92 onwards

Europe