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Toyota Corolla Runx

ZZE123Stock varies — page stays live

The sport flagship of the Runx line, the ZZE123 features the high-performance, Yamaha-co-developed 2ZZ-GE engine with variable valve timing and lift (VVTL-i), revving past 8,000 RPM. This model is often badged as the 'Z Aero Tourer'.

Engine
2ZZ-GE VVTL-i
Displacement
1,795 cc
Drive
2WD (FF)
Gearbox
6MT / 4AT
Fuel
Petrol
Body
Hatchback
Toyota Corolla Runx ZZE123Toyota Corolla Runx — representative 9th Gen (E120) image

Chassis variants of the Corolla Runx

NZE1211NZ-FE VVT-i1,496 ccFF4AT / 5MTNZE1241NZ-FE VVT-i1,496 cc4WD4ATZZE1221ZZ-FE VVT-i1,794 ccFF4AT
ZZE1232ZZ-GE VVTL-i1,795 ccFF6MT / 4AT
ZZE1241ZZ-FE VVT-i1,794 cc4WD4AT

Dimensions & shipping volume

Length
4,175 mm
Width
1,695 mm
Height
1,460 mm
Weight
1,170 kg
Shipping volume
10.33 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
ZZE123-0XXXXXXJan 2001 – Apr 2004Pre-facelift Z / Z Aero Tourer
ZZE123-3XXXXXXApr 2004 – Sep 2006Facelift Z / Z Aero Tourer

Import eligibility by country

Age limits are counted from the month of manufacture, not first registration. This ZZE123 was produced 2001–2006; the statuses below are checked against Jul 2026.

KenyaNot eligible
8-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.
UgandaNot eligible
15-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.
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 ZZE123

What is the difference between VVT-i and the VVTL-i in the ZZE123?
VVTL-i adds variable valve lift to the timing adjustability. At around 6,000 RPM, the system switches to a high-lift cam lobe, radically increasing power output up to its 8,200 RPM redline.
Does this model share its engine with other sports cars?
Yes, the high-revving 2ZZ-GE engine is the same unit famously utilized in the Lotus Elise, Lotus Exige, and the Toyota Celica T-Sport.