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Toyota Corolla Axio

NZE161Stock varies — page stays live

The E160 generation marked a decrease in overall length to improve maneuverability. The NZE161 model retains the robust 1.5L 1NZ-FE powerplant.

Engine
1NZ-FE VVT-i
Displacement
1,496 cc
Drive
2WD (FF)
Gearbox
CVT / 5MT
Fuel
Petrol
Body
Sedan
Toyota Corolla Axio NZE161Toyota Corolla Axio — representative 11th Gen (E160) image

Dimensions & shipping volume

Length
4,360 mm
Width
1,695 mm
Height
1,460 mm
Weight
1,050 kg
Shipping volume
10.79 M³

Manufacture year vs. registration year

Japanese paperwork shows the first registration date, but African customs count age from the month of manufacture. Verify with the chassis serial before purchase:

Serial prefixProduction periodSeries
NZE161-7000000XXXXXXMay 2012 – Mar 2015Pre-facelift
NZE161-7100000XXXXXXMar 2015 – Oct 2017First Facelift (Toyota Safety Sense introduction)
NZE161-7200000XXXXXXOct 2017 – Oct 2020Second Facelift / EX Grade transition

Import eligibility by country

Age limits are counted from the month of manufacture, not first registration. This NZE161 was produced 2012–2020; the statuses below are checked against Jul 2026.

KenyaCheck unit age
Only units manufactured Jul 2018 or later qualify (8-year limit).
UgandaEligible
Within the 15-year limit from manufacture.
TanzaniaEligible
No age ban; vehicles over 10 years pay additional excise duty.
ZambiaEligible
No age limit; surtax applies to vehicles older than 5 years.
MalawiEligible
No age limit; duty calculated on cc and age band.

Common questions about the NZE161

Why is the E160 Axio smaller than the E140?
Toyota reduced the front and rear overhangs by 50mm to maximize maneuverability in narrow streets while keeping the same cabin space.
Is the NZE161 still produced today?
Standard consumer production ended, but selected 1.5L grades (often under NRE161/EX naming) survived as fleet-only models.