Toyota Corolla 2009 for Sale

Toyota Corolla 2009 For Sale: Toyota's upgraded Corolla is a bit like the healthy-fare section of a restaurant food selection: On paper, its high qualities should draw plenty of left-brained purchasers, yet like the overcooked tilapia you're always stuck forking with, its total allure is missing something. If portable cars drew only on sensible sensibilities, this Corolla can have risen to the top-- and, indeed, with climbing gas costs, it still might. Considered that today's best little cars handle to ignite both sides of the brain, nevertheless, Toyota's latest entrance underwhelms.

The Corolla is available in Criterion, LE and XLE trim levels; most include an automatic transmission. Go here to see a comparison with the 2008 model. A sportier variation is offered in S or XRS trims, while the redesigned Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe function as hatchback spin-offs. I drove a Corolla XLE.


Toyota Corolla 2009 For Sale


Exactly how it Steps

The majority of trim levels, including the one I drove, have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. As I have actually typically located to be the standard among portable autos, the Corolla's accelerator responds with a light touch, giving the engine an eager sensation around community. Freeway velocity is less energised, where the Corolla's four-speed automated comes to be something of an obligation, specifically if you're lugging passengers. Prompting the transmission to kick below 4th to 3rd takes a collective prod on the gas, as well as speeding up from 30 to 50 mph sometimes requires 2nd equipment-- and also quite a bit of engine sound-- 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, and also its drivetrain feels decidedly more up to the job of high-speed passing away.

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder powers the Corolla XRS. Right here's how both engines compare:

Though I really did not drive the Corolla XRS, I have actually driven that engine in the new Matrix, and also it's an extremely flexible powertrain. Its mileage fine is significant, though: In the Corolla it returns 22/29 mpg (city/highway) with a stick or 22/30 with an automatic, compared with 27/35 mpg with the 1.8-liter engine as well as either transmission. The gas mileage numbers for the base engine are specifically excellent:

Anti-skid brakes are common, though all trims however the XRS have low-tech drum brakes in back. The pedal in my test cars and truck appeared a bit mushy, specifically compared to the stopping action from four-wheel-disc cars and trucks like the Hyundai Elantra or uplevel Civics. Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder took the Corolla out in the rain, as well as he located in one circumstances that ABS kicked in too soon and also resulted in an unsettling lateral stumble as the vehicle came to a stop.

Suspension hardware includes an independent front and semi-independent, torsion beam of light back-- once again, inferior to rivals with four-wheel-independent suspensions. (Certain Matrixes have an independent back suspension, however also the Corolla XRS sticks to the torsion beam; a Toyota spokesman said that's due to the fact that the Matrix is an inherently sportier automobile.) Highway ride top quality is acceptable, with limited wind as well as road noise, but or else the Corolla imparts a sloppy driving experience. Hit an expansion joint while rounding an offramp, and the wheels vibrate laterally significantly. The guiding wheel has a comfy on-center feel, however it turns with a numb, distant feeling, and also hard edges elicit plenty of body roll.

The Civic and Lancer, which both have four-wheel-independent suspensions, seem more exact in all 3 regards. The Corolla XRS might show sharper, too-- it has a quicker steering ratio and a suspension-stiffening strut-tower brace, so if you're seeking better handling, it's most likely worth checking out. Keep in mind that the XRS has a frustrating 36.3-foot turning circle, while other trims make it in 35.6 feet. The last figure is competitive with the Civic and Sentra, though it sheds to the Elantra (33.9 feet) and also Lancer (32.8 ).

Exactly how it Looks

The Corolla's most current expression, which Toyota states it established with the help of style studios in Italy, seems more aggressive than that of the Japanese-market Corolla. Triangular headlights and an impression in the grille for Toyota's logo design make it much like the bigger Camry, while the tail remembers the outward bound Corolla's. It's an orderly appearance that takes couple of dangers, as well as I doubt it will find lots of followers or critics.

Tires range from 15 to 17 inches in size. The Corolla S and also XRS add haze lights, bumper extensions and also a back spoiler, elevating the styling mercury to someplace around that of the body-kitted Camry SE. You can determine whether that's a good idea.

The In

Generally, the Corolla's cabin seems affably clean-- the two-tone dashboard in my examination car had constant, if not superior, top quality, and also everything from the facility manages to the evaluates appeared customized for simple usability. The turn indicator and also home window switches run with exactly fitted movements, as well as though most plastics are tough to the touch, general fit and also surface is reputable. Storage areas abound, with two stacked glove areas, an ample facility console or even tiny pockets flanking the facility controls.

I'm unsure plain cleanliness suffices, however. The Civic's cabin raises control accuracy to one more realm-- the Corolla's AIR CONDITIONER dials feel clumsy in contrast-- and also the Elantra flaunts soft-touch products and also upscale facilities. The Lancer and also Emphasis go for broke with indoor designing. Caught in the crossfire, the Corolla appears average-- dumbed-down, also-- and that could not be a place Toyota could manage to be.

Front-seat headroom is adequate, though my examination cars and truck had no moonroof, which would certainly remove concerning an inch of above area. The cloth seats were the subject of much argument at Cars.com: I discovered the furniture comfy as well as well brushed, yet editors Mike Hanley and David Thomas thought it was dated as well as low-grade. The driver's seat changes won little support-- a height-adjustment jack is standard, however the seat has limited rear movement for taller chauffeurs.

Probably that's an advantage; if the pole positions took a trip any kind of further back, back legroom would end up being untenable. As it stands, legroom and also headroom in back are simply sufficient for grownups. Congratulations to Toyota for keeping the floor between the back seats hump-free, which indicates a fifth passenger could in fact be able to endure a brief trip in the facility seat there.

Trunk volume completes 12.3 cubic feet, which is at the low end of this sector. Right here's how indoor volume compares:

Safety

The 2009 Corolla gained the highest rating, Good, in frontal collision tests from the Insurance coverage Institute for Highway Safety. IIHS has actually not yet examined the cars and truck for side-impacts. The Corolla's 6 typical airbags consist of side-impact airbags for the front seats and also side curtain air bags for both rows. Active front head restrictions and also antilock brakes are likewise conventional; a number of rivals make ABS optional.

Traction control and an electronic security system run as a $250 package on all trims yet the XRS, where they're common. The option is well worth the rate, given that many rivals reserve stability control for higher trim levels or do not supply it in any way. The outbound Corolla charged $650 for the function. Toyota states it's installed on just 14 percent of all '09 Corollas, however, so it might take some browsing to find one with it.

Features & Pricing

Without the destination charge, the Corolla starts at $15,250. Basic attributes include cooling, power mirrors as well as a CD stereo with a complementary jack. Keep in mind that there's no iPod-specific connection like Successor, Toyota's brother or sister nameplate, offers.

The Corolla LE includes power windows and also locks, while the XLE gets fake wood trim, backlit evaluates and keyless entry-- a $245 alternative on the LE that actually ought to be basic. Both the LE as well as XLE consist of an automatic transmission. The S as well as XRS sport various outside attachments, in addition to sportier seats and also a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls. Both models revert to hands-on door locks as well as home windows, though-- especially unsatisfactory for the XRS, which sets you back greater than the better-equipped XLE. Power accessories, warmed leather seats, a moonroof and also a navigation system are optional.

Load an XRS to the handle, and the sticker label comes up simply reluctant of $25,000. All told, the Corolla doesn't flaunt fairly as much worth for the money as several of its competitors do. Take a look at exactly how an easily outfitted design contrasts:

Corolla in the marketplace

Gas mileage as well as safety and security qualifications lend the Corolla plenty of textbook appeal, as well as if the car's 40-year background is any type of indication, the most recent variation needs to show as reliable as the sunrise. Disallowing any type of top quality snafus-- a substantial unknown, thinking about the latest Camry V-6's record-- these elements could be sufficient to drive the Corolla's success.

As a portable cars and truck that appeals all fronts, nevertheless, the Corolla dissatisfies. It's the type of choice born out of your inner sense of duty-- a solid choice, maybe, for parents buying their teen motorist. The issue for Toyota is that a great deal of rivals have actually managed to package book sensibilities with engaging designing and also fun-to-drive appeal. Judged against these opponents, the Corolla comes off as an also-ran.