Toyota Corolla
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FUEL ECONOMY:
28 / 37 MPG 8.4 / 6.36 L/100km
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BODY TYPE:
Sedan
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TECHNOLOGY:
Small Car
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BASE MSRP:
$14,200
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling passenger car for a number of reasons. The Corolla offers textbook Toyota reliability, a comfortable and well-conceived cabin, and fuel-efficiency that rivals many hybrids and sub-compacts. For 2009, the tenth generation model has been redesigned, but maintains the same characteristics that have produced 30 million sales and counting.
Standard Corolla models offer a 1.8-liter base engine that outputs an adequate 132 horsepower. This four-cylinder mates with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. Both setups yield impressive fuel economy to the tune of 27 in the city and 35 on the highway—without hybrid batteries, motors and computer systems.
An uplevel XRS model offers a larger 2.4-liter engine, but for the added power of 158 horses, drivers will have to give up quite a bit on the side of efficiency. Fuel economy drops to 22 city/30 highway. As most Corolla buyers are usually more concerned with affordability and low operating costs, rather than highway passing ability, the smaller engine is by far the most popular and practical choice.
As in the past, the Corolla offers a soft, compliant ride. Its emphasis is on road comfort, which makes it a fantastic daily driver or commuter car. It is also ideal for longer highway journeys. But don’t expect the Corolla to handle like a champ or zip you in and out of traffic the way a Mazda 3 or a Mitsubishi Lancer would. The Toyota Corolla might disappoint some younger drivers looking for a more responsive experience on the road.
Available in five models, the Corolla comes very well equipped. The quality of interior materials is high and the list of standard amenities is long. In addition, the 2009 model is slightly bigger car, inside and out. Both passenger room and cargo space have benefited from the expansion.
Standard safety features include six airbags: dual front, front side-impact, and side curtain airbags. ABS comes standard, while Electronic Stability Control is optional.
In the world of conventional motoring, the Toyota Corolla remains the most practical, logical choice. It delivers excellent fuel economy, a comfortable ride, ample size, and an overall refinement that is hard to find in the compact sedan category. The Honda Civic and Mazda 3 come close, but not quite). For its price, you would be hard-pressed to find a commuter car that offers so much upside with so few drawbacks.
