Toyota Corolla S 2009

Toyota Corolla S 2009: Toyota's upgraded Corolla is a little bit like the healthy-fare section of a restaurant food selection: Theoretically, its high qualities need to attract lots of left-brained customers, but like the overcooked tilapia you're always stuck forking via, its general charm is missing out on something. If portable sedans attracted only on sensible perceptiveness, this Corolla could have risen to the top-- and also, certainly, with rising gas prices, it still might. Given that today's best little autos take care of to stimulate both sides of the mind, nonetheless, Toyota's newest entrance underwhelms.

The Corolla can be found in Standard, LE and XLE trim levels; most include an automatic transmission. Click on this link to see a contrast with the 2008 version. A sportier variation is supplied in S or XRS trims, while the upgraded Toyota Matrix as well as Pontiac Vibe work as hatchback offshoots. I drove a Corolla XLE.


Toyota Corolla S 2009


How it Steps

Most trim degrees, including the one I drove, have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. As I have actually normally located to be the norm among small cars, the Corolla's accelerator responds with a light touch, giving the engine an anxious sensation around community. Highway acceleration is much less energetic, where the Corolla's four-speed automatic comes to be something of an obligation, particularly if you're lugging passengers. Prompting the transmission to kick down from 4th to third takes a concerted prod on the gas, as well as increasing from 30 to 50 mph in some cases calls for 2nd gear-- and also quite a bit of engine noise-- to get up to speed. The Honda Civic, which we had in the Cars.com fleet the week prior to the Corolla, has a five-speed automatic, as well as its drivetrain feels decidedly more approximately the task of high-speed death.

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder powers the Corolla XRS. Below's how both engines contrast:

Though I didn't drive the Corolla XRS, I have actually driven that engine in the brand-new Matrix, and also it's an incredibly versatile powertrain. Its mileage charge is significant, though: In the Corolla it returns 22/29 mpg (city/highway) with a stick or 22/30 with an automated, compared with 27/35 mpg with the 1.8-liter engine and either transmission. The mileage numbers for the base engine are especially excellent:

Anti-skid brakes are common, though all trims however the XRS have low-tech drum brakes in back. The pedal in my examination vehicle appeared a bit mushy, specifically compared to the stopping action from four-wheel-disc cars like the Hyundai Elantra or uplevel Civics. Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder took the Corolla out in the rainfall, and also he discovered in one circumstances that ABS begun too soon and also resulted in a disturbing side stumble as the automobile pulled up.

Suspension hardware consists of an independent front and also semi-independent, torsion beam of light rear-- once more, inferior to competitors with four-wheel-independent suspensions. (Certain Matrixes have an independent rear suspension, but also the Corolla XRS sticks with the torsion beam of light; a Toyota spokesperson stated that's due to the fact that the Matrix is a naturally sportier car.) Freeway trip high quality serves, with minimal wind as well as roadway noise, however or else the Corolla conveys a careless driving experience. Hit a growth joint while rounding an offramp, as well as the wheels vibrate sidewards dramatically. The guiding wheel has a comfy on-center feeling, however it turns with a numb, remote feel, and tough edges generate plenty of body roll.

The Civic as well as Lancer, which both have four-wheel-independent suspensions, appear more precise in all 3 pertains to. The Corolla XRS could confirm sharper, also-- it has a quicker guiding ratio and also a suspension-stiffening strut-tower brace, so if you're looking for much better handling, it's possibly worth taking a look at. Keep in mind that the XRS has an unsatisfactory 36.3-foot turning circle, while other trims make it in 35.6 feet. The last figure is competitive with the Civic and also Sentra, though it loses to the Elantra (33.9 feet) as well as Lancer (32.8 ).

Exactly how it Looks

The Corolla's newest expression, which Toyota claims it created with the help of design studios in Italy, appears more hostile compared to that of the Japanese-market Corolla. Triangular fronts lights and an imprint in the grille for Toyota's logo make it just like the larger Camry, while the tail recalls the outbound Corolla's. It's an organized look that takes few dangers, and I question it will locate many followers or detractors.

Tires array from 15 to 17 inches in diameter. The Corolla S and also XRS include haze lights, bumper expansions and also a rear looter, elevating the styling mercury to someplace around that of the body-kitted Camry SE. You can determine whether that's a good thing.

The In

Generally, the Corolla's cabin appears affably neat-- the two-tone dashboard in my examination car had regular, otherwise outstanding, high quality, as well as everything from the center controls to the evaluates seemed customized for uncomplicated usability. The turn indicator as well as window buttons run with specifically fitted movements, as well as though many plastics are tough to the touch, general fit and also coating is reputable. Storage space locations abound, with two stacked handwear cover compartments, an adequate center console and even little pockets flanking the center controls.

I'm not sure simple cleanliness cuts it, nevertheless. The Civic's cabin boosts control accuracy to another world-- the Corolla's AIR CONDITIONER dials feel clumsy in contrast-- as well as the Elantra boasts soft-touch products and also high end services. The Lancer and also Focus opt for broke with interior styling. Caught in the crossfire, the Corolla appears average-- dumbed-down, even-- and that could not be a location Toyota could afford to be.

Front-seat clearance suffices, though my test automobile had no moonroof, which would remove regarding an inch of above space. The cloth seats were the topic of much debate at Cars.com: I discovered the furniture comfy and perfectly groomed, but editors Mike Hanley as well as David Thomas believed it was dated as well as low-grade. The motorist's seat changes won little support-- a height-adjustment jack is standard, however the seat has restricted back movement for taller chauffeurs.

Maybe that's a good thing; if the pole positions took a trip any kind of farther back, back legroom would certainly come to be untenable. As it stands, legroom as well as clearance in back are just appropriate for adults. Congratulations to Toyota for keeping the floor between the rear seats hump-free, which means a fifth passenger might actually have the ability to tolerate a brief journey in the facility seat there.

Trunk volume totals 12.3 cubic feet, which is at the reduced end of this section. Right here's how indoor volume compares:

Safety

The 2009 Corolla gained the highest possible rating, Excellent, in frontal crash examinations from the Insurance coverage Institute for Highway Security. IIHS has not yet examined the car for side-impacts. The Corolla's six conventional air bags include side-impact airbags for the pole positions and also side drape air bags for both rows. Energetic front head restraints as well as anti-skid brakes are additionally common; a variety of competitors make ABDOMINAL optional.

Traction control and also an electronic security system run as a $250 bundle on all trims however the XRS, where they're common. The option is well worth the rate, considered that numerous competitors get stability control for greater trim levels or do not offer it whatsoever. The outbound Corolla charged $650 for the function. Toyota says it's set up on just 14 percent of all '09 Corollas, though, so it might take some searching to locate one with it.

Features & Pricing

Without the destination charge, the Corolla begins at $15,250. Typical attributes include cooling, power mirrors and also a CD stereo with an auxiliary jack. Note that there's no iPod-specific connection like Heir, Toyota's brother or sister nameplate, supplies.

The Corolla LE includes power windows and locks, while the XLE gets phony wood trim, backlit determines as well as keyless access-- a $245 option on the LE that actually ought to be common. Both the LE and XLE include an automatic transmission. The S as well as XRS sport different outside add-ons, together with sportier seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls. Both designs revert to hand-operated door locks and also windows, however-- specifically unsatisfactory for the XRS, which costs greater than the better-equipped XLE. Power accessories, warmed natural leather seats, a moonroof and a navigation system are optional.

Tons an XRS to the handle, and the sticker label shows up simply shy of $25,000. All informed, the Corolla does not flaunt quite as much value for the cash as some of its competitors do. Have a look at how a conveniently furnished model compares:

Corolla out there

Gas gas mileage and safety and security qualifications lend the Corolla plenty of textbook charm, as well as if the cars and truck's 40-year background is any type of indicator, the most recent version needs to confirm as trustworthy as the sunup. Barring any high quality snafus-- a considerable unknown, considering the latest Camry V-6's performance history-- these factors could be enough to drive the Corolla's success.

As a compact auto that hits on all fronts, nonetheless, the Corolla disappoints. It's the sort of option born out of your inner sense of obligation-- a solid choice, maybe, for moms and dads looking for their teen motorist. The trouble for Toyota is that a lot of competitors have actually taken care of to package book perceptiveness with compelling styling and fun-to-drive charm. Evaluated versus these opponents, the Corolla comes off as an also-ran.