Hey Scotty, I’m continuing my research on the new Toyota corollas. The 2.0L engine uses port & direct injection together, while LE trim doesn’t have direct injection. This may be a silly question, but I want to make a smart choice
Can the new 2020 or even 2021 Toyota Corolla with direct & port injection last just as long as the LE trim ? Or would I be better off just to get the LE trim and discard the idea of theSe model ?
Clarification: How long do you plan to keep the vehicle? How many miles would you hope the vehicle will last for?
I’d like to last for a long time. My job will require for me to drive throu the Canadian provinces as I’m helping building Westeel grain bins. My 99’ AWD rav4 will use more fuel and burns oil, yet engine seems to run fine and shifts with no problems. A Corolla will be great change considering the fuel I’d save on long trips.
It’s tough to answer this question because on the one hand having both port and direct injection adds more complexity than a port injection-only engine but at the same time Toyota has been doing that in their other engines for some time with hardly any issues. Also, while a port injection-only engine would be better for longevity, I would still take a port/direct (or dual) injection vehicle versus a direct-injection only vehicle so I don’t have to worry about carbon buildup on the back of the intake valves (and the associated maintenance required - catch cans and cleaning backs of valves every 60,000-100,000 miles). What I would be more focused on is the fact that the 2.0L engine is fairly new. The engine in question is the M20A-FKS which is part of the new Dynamic Force Engines under Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) and has only been out since 2018 so long term reliability is not known, but also not something I would lose sleep over especially since it is naturally aspirated, is not direct-injection only, doesn’t have turbos, doesn’t have cylinder deactivation, and used in lots of Toyota vehicles so any issues that crop up (at least short term) would be known and addressed in Toyota fashion. But long term - jury is out, but I have higher confidence in them than almost any other automaker.
In any event, if you plan to keep the vehicle for 300,000+ miles (for instance) a safer bet is going with the older 1.8L 2ZR-FAE engine you mentioned in the lower (base) trims. If you plan to keep for “only” 150,000-200,000 miles you should still be OK with the newer 2.0L Dynamic Force M20A engine.
Based on you wanting to keep for as long as possible, then I recommend the true and tried (and port injection only) 1.8L I4 engine in the L, LE, or XLE trims.
My mind is heading toward the LE trim now. I may be also used to my 99 rav4 reving up in slopes or hills especially on windy conditions.
That is actually an excellent question. The 1.8 engine in the LE will most likely outlast the 2.0 engine. This is because the 1.8 uses port injection only. Yes, using port injection and direct injection like the 2.0 engine is much better than solely using direct injection because you don't have the carbon buildup. However, it still increase pressure in the engine. The 2.0 engine would have fuel injected around 200 PSI where the 1.8 would have fuel injected around 50 PSI. Plus that 1.8 engine is an old engine so it has proven itself over the years.
Driving through the mountains and hills I’m sure wouldn’t have no problem with 1.8L for highway driving. It makes logical sense what your saying. I’ll also keep that in mind.
If you don't need the extra power, 1.8 is more "proven." That said, the 2.0 probably is a good engine as well but we just don't know what long-term problems it will bring.
If the 1.8 has no problem climbing hills around mountains in highway driving, I’d be happy with it.
I don't see why it wouldn't last. By having the port injection you don't have the issue of carbon build up on the valves that comes with GDI only. And since it also has direct injection you get the benefits of that technology. So you get the best of both worlds. We just got a 2021 Corolla SE. How long multi-port only will last over GDI & MPI at this point is too early to tell.
I really like that extra power but only thing holding me back is the extra pressure. 1.8 may be all I need for even climbing hills that you have crossing through mountains in highway driving. The old 99’ rav4 AWD seems to also work to hard to even climb slightly sloped hills, especially adding wind. I do love the look of the new Corolla as well. I’d be happy with it for sure, just figuring out these points. CVT even sounds great on the either models.
Even for Toyota, we don't care for any CVT. We got our SE with the 6spd manual.
If I ended up choosing LE Trim with CVT, could that be problematic ? I can’t drive manual transmission. That’s my weak point there.
Problematic...don't know. Their CVT with a 1st-gear to help take off from stop is still fairly new, so time will tell, just like with any new tech that comes out in a car.
We've been driving manuals for 40 yrs. just not a fan of CVT's but that's personal preference.