The Toyota Allion is a compact four-door sedan that Toyota built and sold almost exclusively in Japan. It was the sharper-styled twin of the Toyota Premio, and the pair replaced the long-running Corona and Carina lines when they went on sale in December 2001. A car described as a “2020 Toyota Allion” is the second-generation T260 model, which entered production in 2007 and remained on sale until March 2021.
What the Allion and Premio Were
Toyota designed the Allion for the Japanese domestic market, and it was never sold new in North America or Europe. It filled the gap between the Corolla and the larger Camry. The Premio wore a more formal front end and was sold through Toyopet dealerships, while the Allion carried slightly sportier styling and was aimed at younger buyers. The name is commonly said to come from the phrase “all-in-one.” Both cars shared their platform and engines with the export-market Toyota Avensis, which was also built on Toyota’s MC platform, so much of the engineering was familiar even though the Allion nameplate itself stayed at home.
Because Japanese tax rules reward compact exterior dimensions, the Allion stayed within the country’s compact size class. It measured 4,565 mm (179.7 in) in length and 1,695 mm (66.7 in) in width, with a 2,700 mm (106.3 in) wheelbase. Height was 1,475 mm (58.1 in) to 1,485 mm (58.5 in), depending on the drivetrain, and curb weight ranged from roughly 1,200 kg to 1,330 kg (2,646 to 2,932 lb). Passenger space was a priority: the design brief called for a roomy cabin in a body that still slipped under Japanese tax thresholds.
The First Generation (T240)
The original Allion went on sale on 25 December 2001 and was offered with three engine sizes: 1.5-, 1.8- and 2.0-liter. The larger 2.0-liter model used a continuously variable transmission, while the smaller engines were paired with a four-speed automatic. Toyota gave the car a minor update in December 2004 that changed the bumpers and tail lights and switched the lighting to LEDs. That first generation ran until June 2007, when the T260 replaced it.
The Second Generation (T260)
The T260 generation was introduced on 4 June 2007. Although its exterior footprint barely changed, Toyota gave it a larger interior and a higher level of standard equipment. Two facelifts followed. The first, in April 2010, brought more aggressive headlights and twin LED tail lights. The second, in 2016, refreshed the front and rear styling again. Because the 2020 model year sat near the end of that long run, it was a carryover of the 2016 facelift rather than a newly designed car.
Exterior and Interior
The Allion was a conventional three-box sedan with a mildly wedged profile, a chrome-trimmed grille, and LED lighting for the headlights and tail lights on later models. It was never a styling statement; its appeal lay in straightforward proportions, a low belt line, and modest overhangs that made it easy to place in tight Japanese streets. The low hood and upright cabin gave the driver a good view forward, which mattered more to its buyers than outright flair.
The cabin was trimmed in cloth on most grades, with a simple dashboard layout and a floor console between the front seats. Equipment on higher trims included a navigation system, Toyota’s G-BOOK connected service as an option, smart entry and push-button start, and a rear-view color monitor. The rear bench seated three, and the trunk was sized for family use rather than sport. Electric windows, air conditioning, and a multifunction steering wheel were common across the range.
Engines and Drivetrain
Throughout its second generation, the Allion offered naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines, all driving through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive was standard, and all-wheel drive was available on the 1.8-liter cars for buyers in snowy regions.
| Engine | Displacement | Output | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NZ-FE | 1.5 L | 81 kW (109 PS) | FWD |
| 2ZR-FE | 1.8 L | 100 kW (136 PS) / 92 kW AWD | FWD / AWD |
| 2ZR-FAE | 1.8 L | 105 kW (141 PS) / 96 kW AWD | FWD / AWD |
| 3ZR-FAE | 2.0 L | 112-116 kW | FWD |
The 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE was fitted from 2007 to 2010 and was replaced by the valvematic 2ZR-FAE for the rest of production. The 2.0-liter 3ZR-FAE was the most powerful option. All versions ran on regular gasoline from a 60-liter (15.9 US gal) tank. Toyota quoted roughly 18 km per liter (about 42 mpg US) for the 1.5-liter CVT models and about 17 km per liter (40 mpg US) for the 1.8-liter cars, figures helped by the lightweight body and the wide ratio spread of the CVT.
The End of the Line
On 1 December 2020, Toyota announced that the Premio and Allion would be discontinued from March 2021. Their retirement ended the Corona lineage that had begun with the first Toyota Corona in 1957. Their role in the Japanese lineup was taken over by the E210 Corolla sedan, which had been introduced in Japan in 2018 and matched the older cars on price and size.
The Separate Chinese Allion
The Allion name did not disappear entirely. From 2021, the Chinese joint venture FAW Toyota has sold a different car called the Allion, a long-wheelbase sedan based on the E210 Corolla. Despite the shared name, it is mechanically unrelated to the Japanese Allion, so buyers should not confuse the two when searching for parts or specifications.
What Buyers Can Buy Today
There is no new Allion on the market in Japan, and there never was an exported one. Buyers who want a used example will find them through Japanese domestic-market importers, where the 1.5- and 1.8-liter cars are most common. Anyone shopping for an equivalent new Toyota sedan today should look at the Corolla sedan, or compare it with cars in the 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review class. Enthusiasts who want the Allion’s more affordable compact feel can also consider the 2019 Toyota Corolla S Price And Review as a domestic reference point.
