Toyota Corolla S 2010

Toyota Corolla S 2010: Alongside the bigger Camry, the Corolla is one of the most essential vehicle in Toyota's lineup, yet its redesign in 2015 left the majority of us below at Cars.com level. The outside is past conservative, the interior doesn't contrast well to opponents from Honda and also Mazda, as well as its base engine is anemic.

Enter the more effective XRS trim level. The last generation of the XRS was a fun-to-drive fave of mine. Some of that joy is felt below, yet with a $18,860 beginning rate-- my test auto's sticker floated near $23,000, which really did not consist of navigation-- it does not come close to the experience of driving a performance-oriented design like the Honda Civic Si or Mazda3 s, and it hardly handles to hold its own against its competitors' non-performance base designs.

The examination automobile was a 2009, but the 2010-- currently for sale-- showcases no significant modifications. Many pricing is likewise unchanged.


Toyota Corolla S 2010


Efficiency

The greatest upgrade to this more costly trim comes with the engine. The base Corolla's 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder is changed with a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, as well as the bigger engine can be teamed with a smoother five-speed transmission instead of the base model's somewhat-outdated four-speed. A five-speed handbook is common for both engines. The brand-new engine equates to a far more pleasurable driving experience compared to the rest of the Corolla schedule, however that resembles saying a Huge Mac is more remarkable compared to a 59-cent hamburger. It must be.

What customers must take into consideration is how the XRS compares to the competitors. I would certainly rate it far behind the 197-hp Honda Civic Si in terms of thrills, and also behind the upgraded 167-hp Mazda3 s in regards to all-around efficiency. I 'd likewise claim the base Mazda3 car, with its smaller sized 148-hp engine, gets on the same level with the XRS. Even a base Civic as well as its hallmark high-revving, 140-hp engine would certainly prosper against the costlier XRS.

The XRS' braking is also much boosted over the typical Corolla, yet once more, that's due to the fact that the baseline is so poor.

Mileage obviously takes a hit as a result of the upgraded power. The XRS obtains 22/30 mpg city/highway, compared to an extremely frugal 26/35 mpg for the base version with the manual transmission. The Civic Si obtains 21/29 mpg but has almost 40 hp greater than the XRS.

Exterior

An emphasize of the XRS trim is its look. The somewhat monotonous appearance of the common Corolla is tarted up below with even more aggressive body moldings, bigger wheels-- 17-inchers change common 15-inch wheels-- and also a rear spoiler. My red test cars and truck did indeed look sharp, and also a little much less like the economic climate box it is than does the base Corolla.

Interior

My XRS tester had an optional Natural leather Package. The seats themselves were quite comfortable, wrapped in rather high-quality black leather. However that's where the highlights end. One of the Corolla's large frustrations is its boring, rather roughshod inside. While Toyota has actually always been one of the leaders in regards to indoor top quality despite the section, the Corolla's plastics feel and look affordable, as well as the controls are awkward. Simply put, absolutely nothing satisfied.

The XRS doesn't obtain an altered interior, although my examination cars and truck's all-black indoor hid some of the imperfections I saw in other Corollas. Top quality isn't really on the same level with the Civic, and the new Mazda3 has both beat in regards to interior decoration, with its stroking lines as well as innovative areas for screens and also controls.

The Corolla's rear seat is additionally limited. Even though back legroom as well as clearance numbers are close to the competitors, hip room in back is significantly less than in the Civic or Mazda3. I didn't have a problem placing a convertible child seat in the Civic or the last-generation Mazda3, yet in the Corolla my 15-month-old boy's feet were hanging between the bucket seats, pretty near to the front occupants.

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 variety of a la carte alternatives, which theoretically allows you choose the ones you desire. Many suppliers, however, only order cars that have the plans with one of the most popular choices. My test cars and truck's warmed leather seats were $1,490, a Power Package was $635 as well as the transmission was $1,190, bringing the total with location charge to $22,925.

Corolla XRS in the Market
With its substantial price, it's clear that the XRS drops well behind in the affordable small segment. I would contrast it closely with Nissan's SE-R, but also that vehicle features more handling prowess.

Nonetheless, the XRS was never ever developed to be the very best 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 exceptional interiors that can be had for the very same loan-- like a Civic, Subaru Impreza or Mazda3-- the Corolla promptly ends up being an afterthought.

None of this appears to have actually deterred car purchasers, however. The Corolla stays the most prominent portable cars and truck in the country and also is continually one of the very popular lorries of any type of kind.