Does the 1990 Toyota Corolla need premium gas?
It depends on the trim. Some versions take premium and some take regular — check your exact engine/transmission below.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | REGULAR | 26 | $2,400 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 25 | $2,500 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 24 | $2,600 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, AWD | REGULAR | 23 | $2,700 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, AWD | REGULAR | 22 | $2,850 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | PREMIUM | 25 | $3,100 |
The EPA records the fuel each version was tested on. Whether premium is strictly required or just recommended is an owner's-manual detail the EPA dataset doesn't include — so we don't guess it.
6 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.