Holden Nova
| Company type | Car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | August 1989 |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Successor | Holden Astra |
| Headquarters | Dandenong, later Altona , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Parent | Toyota Australia |
The Holden Nova was a compact car manufactured by Toyota Australia from August 1989 until 1996, serving as a rebadged variant of the Toyota Corolla. Created as part of the Button car plan initiative aimed at consolidating the Australian automotive sector, it was sold under the Holden marque with only subtle design modifications compared to the Corolla. The Nova came in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback configurations.
Production initially took place at Toyota's Dandenong facility before shifting to the Altona plant in 1994.
Although it maintained a presence in the market, the Nova consistently lagged behind the Toyota Corolla in sales within Australia and was ultimately phased out in 1996, succeeded by the Holden Astra.
First generation (LE, LF; 1989–1994)
The LE and LF models, derived from the Corolla E90, were available from August 1989 through September 1994. The LE series included Toyota's 1.4-litre engine (exclusive to the hatchback) and a 1.6-litre engine offered across SL (hatchback only), SLX, and SLE variants. Launched in October 1991, the LF Nova introduced an upgraded 1.6-litre fuel-injected engine delivering increased power. The SLE hatchback was replaced by a GS trim, while the SLE designation remained for the sedan version. By October 1992, a fuel-injected 1.8-litre engine option was added for the GS hatchback. From 1993 onward, both the 1.4-litre engine and SLE trims were discontinued.
Second generation (LG; 1994–1996)
Produced from 1994 to 1996, the LG Nova featured a simplified range consisting of two trims: the SLX with a 1.6-litre engine and the GS equipped with a 1.8-litre engine. Both sedan and five-door hatchback body styles were offered, with all engines utilizing fuel injection technology to enhance performance and fuel economy.