Toyota Corolla S 2010

Toyota Corolla S 2010: Beside the larger Camry, the Corolla is the most vital cars and truck in Toyota's schedule, but its redesign in 2015 left a lot of us right here at Cars.com level. The outside is past traditional, the interior does not contrast well to competitors from Honda as well as Mazda, and also its base engine is anemic.

Get in the a lot more powerful XRS trim degree. The last generation of the XRS was a fun-to-drive favorite of mine. A few of that joy is felt right here, yet with a $18,860 starting rate-- my examination car's sticker hovered near $23,000, which really did not include navigation-- it doesn't come close to the experience of driving a performance-oriented version like the Honda Civic Si or Mazda3 s, and it hardly handles to hold its very own against its rivals' non-performance base versions.

The test vehicle was a 2009, however the 2010-- already for sale-- showcases no significant changes. The majority of rates is also unchanged.


Toyota Corolla S 2010


Performance

The biggest upgrade to this more pricey trim comes with the engine. The base Corolla's 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder is replaced with a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and the larger engine can be teamed with a smoother five-speed automatic transmission rather than the base version's somewhat-outdated four-speed. A five-speed handbook is basic for both engines. The new engine means a a lot more satisfying driving experience compared with the remainder of the Corolla schedule, yet that resembles stating a Big Mac is a lot more outstanding compared to a 59-cent hamburger. It needs to be.

What shoppers should take into consideration is exactly how the XRS stacks up against the competitors. I 'd rate it far behind the 197-hp Honda Civic Si in regards to thrills, and behind the revamped 167-hp Mazda3 s in regards to all-around performance. I would certainly also state the base Mazda3 sedan, with its smaller 148-hp engine, gets on the same level with the XRS. Also a base Civic as well as its hallmark high-revving, 140-hp engine would certainly fare well against the more expensive XRS.

The XRS' braking is likewise much improved over the common Corolla, but once again, that's since the standard is so poor.

Gas mileage certainly takes a hit due to the upgraded power. The XRS obtains 22/30 mpg city/highway, compared with an exceptionally prudent 26/35 mpg for the base design with the manual transmission. The Civic Si obtains 21/29 mpg but has virtually 40 hp greater than the XRS.

Outside

A highlight of the XRS trim is its appearance. The somewhat boring appearance of the typical Corolla is tarted up here with more aggressive body moldings, bigger wheels-- 17-inchers change typical 15-inch wheels-- as well as a rear spoiler. My red test automobile did certainly festinate, as well as a little less like the economic situation box it is than does the base Corolla.

Interior

My XRS tester had an optional Leather Plan. The seats themselves were quite comfortable, covered in fairly top quality black natural leather. However that's where the highlights end. Among the Corolla's large frustrations is its boring, somewhat roughshod interior. While Toyota has actually constantly been among the leaders in regards to interior quality despite the section, the Corolla's plastics look and feel low-cost, as well as the controls are uncomfortable. Basically, nothing amazed.

The XRS does not get a transformed inside, although my examination auto's all-black indoor hid some of the flaws I observed in other Corollas. Top quality isn't really on par with the Civic, as well as the new Mazda3 has both beat in terms of interior decoration, with its stroking lines and also cutting-edge places for screens and also controls.

The Corolla's backseat is also limited. Although rear legroom and also clearance numbers are close to the competition, hip space in back is significantly less than in the Civic or Mazda3. I didn't have a trouble putting a convertible child seat in the Civic or the last-generation Mazda3, yet in the Corolla my 15-month-old son's feet were hanging in between the container seats, quite near to the front residents.

At 12.3 cubic feet, the trunk is greater than appropriate; it's larger than the Honda's as well as Mazda's.

Attributes

Toyota uses a number of a la carte options, which theoretically lets you choose the ones you desire. The majority of dealerships, though, only order vehicles that have the plans with the most popular options. My examination vehicle's warmed natural leather seats were $1,490, a Power Bundle was $635 and the automatic transmission was $1,190, bringing the overall with location charge to $22,925.

Corolla XRS in the Market
With its substantial price tag, it's clear that the XRS falls well behind in the competitive small section. I would compare it carefully with Nissan's SE-R, however also that automobile includes extra taking care of prowess.

Nonetheless, the XRS was never ever developed to be the most effective efficiency compact; it's just a step up from the base Corolla. In that it does well, but when you think of all the fun-to-drive compacts with superior insides that can be had for the exact same money-- like a Civic, Subaru Impreza or Mazda3-- the Corolla swiftly becomes an afterthought.

None of this seems to have hindered cars and truck purchasers, however. The Corolla continues to be one of the most prominent small automobile in the country as well as is consistently among the best-selling cars of any type.