JDM Differences

Could someone please list for me the differences between the cars sold on the Japanese market and the Australian market

Welcome to the club.

There are plenty of minor and major differences, but too many accessories to count so I won't go into them too much. You can find out about most of the accessories from these links:

http://www.ae101ownersclub.org/t29-93-97-corolla-optional-extras-oem-features

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/130-corolla-7th-generation-1993-1997/367892-corolla-optional-extras-oem-features.html


I'll list a few interior differences.

All Japanese models had a digital clock next to the central air vents, whereas all Australian models had a false air vent.

All JDM Automatics had a red PWR/MANU switch on the gear shift just above the PRNDL. The Australian model does not have this switch, however the outline for the placement of the switch is still visible.

All JDM models had a small glovebox-like compartment on the panel under the steering wheel and key barrel. The Australian models did not have this as it was not allowed under Australian safety standards (or so I've heard).

The centre console in the Japanese model is slightly shorter than the Australian equivalent, and however it has 3 switch holes, where the Australian one only has one switch hole and a non-removable coin slot.


There's also a couple of exterior differences such as the colour-coded door handles and mudguards on most JDM models, and different front bumpers on JDM facelift AE101s and AE101FXs (plug fog lights on this one), not to mention the different tail lights on JDM sedans. And then there's the grilles; plenty and plenty of grilles. They weren't exactly a choice, however they certainly are key differences in comparing both models.

Hopefully this thread could become a section for posting notable differences between the models.

elements616 wrote:

I'll list a few interior differences.
All Japanese models had a digital clock next to the central air vents, whereas all Australian models had a false air vent.

All Australian-MADE models have the fake vent. The Japanese-made AE102 Sprinter liftbacks sold here in 1995 had the clock

Quote :

All JDM Automatics had a red PWR/MANU switch on the gear shift just above the PRNDL. The Australian model does not have this switch, however the outline for the placement of the switch is still visible.

This will be because Australia used the old hydraulically-controlled A240L transmission, not the electronic A24xE (which America also had, but I don't think they had the PWR/MANU switches)

Quote :

There's also a couple of exterior differences such as the colour-coded door handles and mudguards on most JDM models, and different front bumpers on JDM facelift AE101s and AE101FXs (plug fog lights on this one), not to mention the different tail lights on JDM sedans. And then there's the grilles; plenty and plenty of grilles. They weren't exactly a choice, however they certainly are key differences in comparing both models.

Add side-repeaters to that list too - Jap modes don't have them as they have indicators where our parkers are, and parkers built in to the main headlights.

I don't believe Japan ever had the 7AFE either.

Fortunately almost everything is cross-swappable between Jap and Aus models, with the key difference being that if it has wires you'll probably need to modify them yourself as the wiring is different and Aus-models didn't have the wiring pre-installed for options that never came out here.

I was wondering specifically about the coloured door surrounds and whether that was different between the two

OliverWong wrote:

I was wondering specifically about the coloured door surrounds and whether that was different between the two

On Australian models the CSi and Conquest got body-coloured window frames, CSX and RV/Ultima got black window frames. I think the rub strips and door handles were slightly different, with CSi/Conquest/RV getting black and CSX/Ultima getting body-coloured, but that also might be different pre/post facelift