The production line for the Toyota Corolla began in 1966. Though the origin is kind of botanical, the word Corolla actually means “crown”.
The naming was quite accurate, soon the model became an industry leader. In 1974, Corolla for the first time held the position of the best-selling car, in terms of annual sales.
In 1997, it replaced the Volkswagen Beetle as the top-selling car in the industry. An estimated 40 million Corollas have been sold so far since its introduction.
Among the versions of Corollas, there are reasons enough to believe that the Toyota RunX is better than the Allex. Let’s see what we find from the epic Toyota RunX vs Allex comparison.
Contents
- What To Know About The Toyota RunX?
- Basic Knowledge of The Toyota Allex
- Toyota RunX vs Allex: Why You Should Choose RunX?
- FAQs on Toyota RunX vs Allex
- Does the RunX have better resale value in export markets than the Allex?
- Does the RunX offer more aftermarket customization options than the Allex?
- Which is easier to insure in performance trims: RunX or Allex?
- Which is better for long-term parts availability outside Japan: RunX or Allex?
- Do insurance companies perceive the RunX as sportier, and how does that affect premiums?
- Were there any optional safety features offered in the RunX that were not standard in the Allex?
- Which model tends to hold value better when exported to motorsport-heavy countries?
- Final Words
What To Know About The Toyota RunX?
As Toyota decided to expand its reach to the hatchback market, too, the manufacturer brought some changes to the design. Primarily it tweaked the design only a little. Thus, it added an upward-swinging door on the back.
This effectively gave birth to the Corolla FX hatchback. The name for this new version was assigned as Toyota RunX. And, it earned huge popularity in Japan as a domestic car.
There are some outstanding features when talking about this car:
- Stylish design: The RunX has a sleek and modern design. The sporty appearance is accentuated by its sharp lines and curvy body.
- Spacious interior: Despite its compact size, the RunX offers a spacious cabin with ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats can also be folded down to create more cargo space when needed.
- Reliable engine: The RunX is powered by a range of engines, including 1.5-liter, 1.8-liter, and 2.0-liter petrol engines.
- Safety features: The RunX comes equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and multiple airbags.
Basic Knowledge of The Toyota Allex
Besides the all-new Runx, Toyota came up with another car with the same design, Toyota Alex.
Toyota Allex is a compact vehicle that was launched between 2001 to 2006, similar to RunX in many ways. The line was developed to be sold in Japan only.
As a sporty version of Corolla, they primarily named it “Sprinter”. It created a positive buzz in the market and made it more competitive.
Inspired by such a response, Toyota actively collaborated with General Motors to construct a car for the US market.
Together, they implemented some alterations and modifications and named the new car as Toyota Allex. As in Japan, American buyers also received the car with much anticipation.
And soon it became one of the biggest selling cars there:
- Reliability: Toyota’s engines and components are known for their durability and longevity.
- Interior space: The Allex offers a spacious cabin with ample legroom and headroom.
Toyota RunX vs Allex: Why You Should Choose RunX?
Traction control
Although both the Toyota RunX and Toyota Allex are front-wheel drive cars, and as such, their traction control capabilities are similar, the RunX offers better traction control over the Allex.
However, some newer versions of the RunX may have additional features such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) or Traction Control (TRC) that are not available on all Allex models.
Slip differential
Some models of the Toyota RunX have a better limited-slip differential compared to some versions of the Toyota Allex.
What is the slip differential? A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that helps to improve traction and handling by distributing power evenly between the wheels.
This can be particularly helpful in situations where one wheel may lose traction, such as when driving on slippery or uneven surfaces.
However, this feature is only available in some versions of the RunX because it depends on the specific model and year.
The aerodynamics
The aerodynamics in Toyota RunX is superior to not only that of the Allex but to many other cars.
Sunnroof option
The RunX also has an optional sunroof, which makes riding the car more fun.
Headlight and Front Fog Lamp
The Xenon headlight and front fog lamp are other remarkable features of the RunX, which the Allex lacks.
Having Xenon headlights and front fog lamps can be helpful in improving visibility and safety while driving, particularly in low-light or adverse weather conditions.
However, not all versions of the RunX may come equipped with these features, and they may be optional or standard depending on the specific model and year.
FAQs on Toyota RunX vs Allex
Does the RunX have better resale value in export markets than the Allex?
Yes. In many African and Caribbean markets, the RunX is more recognized and sought after, which can translate to a stronger resale price compared to the Allex.
Does the RunX offer more aftermarket customization options than the Allex?
Yes. Because of its sport hatch reputation, the RunX has a larger enthusiast base, meaning more body kits, tuning parts, and wheel fitment guides are readily available.
Which is easier to insure in performance trims: RunX or Allex?
In some regions, the RunX’s performance variants might carry slightly higher premiums, but standard trims are often equally priced with the Allex.
Which is better for long-term parts availability outside Japan: RunX or Allex?
Mechanically, both share many parts, but the RunX’s stronger export presence makes it easier to source exterior and interior components in certain markets.
Yes. The sporty reputation can sometimes mean slightly higher insurance rates for performance trims, though it’s rarely a deal-breaker for most buyers.
Were there any optional safety features offered in the RunX that were not standard in the Allex?
Yes. Depending on market, the RunX could be optioned with extra airbags, traction control, or upgraded ABS systems not always available in the Allex.
Which model tends to hold value better when exported to motorsport-heavy countries?
The RunX (performance trims) is more desirable for rally and autocross setups, boosting its export value in motorsport-heavy regions.
Final Words
It’s important to check the features of the specific RunX to determine whether it has Xenon headlights and front fog lamps.
The Toyota RunX vs Allex comparision clearly shows that Toyota RunX has some advantages over the Allex, but that doesn’t mean that the latter is good for nothing. It has its own characteristics. But when compared to the RunX, it’s not the best.
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