The 2008 Toyota Corolla is powered by a 1.8-liter inline-4 gasoline engine from Toyota’s 2ZR-FE family, equipped with Dual VVT-i, delivering about 132 horsepower.
Engine type and specifications
The following details summarize the engine configuration widely found in the 2008 Corolla sold in North American markets.
- Engine displacement: 1.8 liters (1798 cc)
- Engine family/code: 2ZR-FE
- Configuration: inline-4, double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC)
- Valvetrain: Dual VVT-i (variable valve timing on both camshafts in most versions)
- Power output: approximately 132 horsepower (98 kW)
- Torque: about 125 lb-ft (170 Nm)
- Fuel system: sequential multi-point fuel injection
- Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, depending on trim and market
Across markets, the 2ZR-FE-based 1.8L engine in the 2008 Corolla was engineered for efficiency and smooth operation, with Toyota emphasizing longevity and predictable performance rather than high-end metrics.
Market notes and legacy
In the United States and many other regions, the 2008 Corolla’s 1.8-liter engine remained the standard powerplant across most trims. Some international variants and later model years saw refinements or slightly different tuning, but the core 1.8L four-cylinder with Dual VVT-i kept pace with the model’s reputation for reliability and economical daily driving.
Summary
The 2008 Toyota Corolla relies on a 1.8-liter inline-4 engine from the 2ZR-FE family with Dual VVT-i, delivering roughly 132 hp and a torque figure around 125 lb-ft. Paired with either a manual or automatic transmission, this setup underscored the Corolla’s enduring emphasis on practicality, efficiency, and long-term reliability in the compact-car class.


