2001 Toyota Corolla Review
2001 Toyota Corolla Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Smooth ride, spunky motor, tight build quality, refined bits and pieces, optional side airbags.
Cons
- Cramped and uncomfortable interior, mushy suspension, non-descript styling, lousy stereo ergonomics.
What’s new
For the 2001 Toyota Corolla, the midgrade CE trim replaces entry-level VE, top-line LE replaces midgrade CE and a sporty new CE-based S model debuts. Front and rear lighting is restyled, and the fascia up front is tweaked and now includes a chrome-ringed grille. An internal trunk release has been added, along with a push-button fresh/recirculate control for the ventilation system. Two new colors replace an equal number of shades that are fading away.
Edmunds says
Reliable but bland, the 2001 Toyota Corolla is a conservative pick in the economy sedan class.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$142/mo for Corolla CE
Corolla CE
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Toyota's venerable Corolla has gone through many changes since it was first introduced in 1968. Over the course of its long life, the Corolla has appeared as a hatchback, coupe, wagon and sedan. The world has seen enough people fall in love with this car to make it the best-selling nameplate in the history of automobiles.
Now, while that's neat and all, we're sure that what's really important to you and your wallet is whether this modern Corolla still has what it takes to stomp out its competitors. In short, it doesn't.
Dating to 1998, the current Corolla faces stiff competition from the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Protege, and Nissan Sentra, all of which have been substantially redesigned or newly introduced since this particular Toyota was fresh out of the blocks. And they are all more satisfying cars.
To help fend them off until the next redesign, the Corolla comes equipped with a zippy, smooth-revving, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder aluminum engine that cranks out 125 horsepower, thanks to a variable valve timing and lift system that Toyota calls VVT-i. VVT-i employs continuously variable intake valve timing to provide greater engine performance, better fuel economy and reduced pollution over a wide rev range. When equipped with a manual transmission, this car pulls strongly. Automatic gearboxes are available too, including a technologically advanced (Not!) three-speed unit on base models.
Three trim levels are available on the slightly restyled 2001 Corolla. Base CE, better-equipped LE, and sporty S. The new S model includes "sporty" trim, fog lights, fake leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a tachometer with outside temperature display, among other things.
This year, Toyota is also freshening the exterior styling in a bid to draw buyers into showrooms. Changes include a revised front end with chrome-ringed grille, new headlights and taillights, and body-colored trim for LE and S models. Impulse Red and Indigo Ink replace Venetian Red Pearl and Twilight Blue Pearl on the color palette. Inside, a button has been added to control fresh/recirculated airflow, and in the trunk, and an internal release handle keeps kids from getting trapped.
Our biggest gripe with the Corolla is minimal legroom for both the driver and passengers, and the horribly uncomfortable seats. Center stack ergonomics also aren't up to standards in the class, and the soft suspension keels over in turns, making the tires howl in pain. But the ride is smooth, the cabin is quiet at speed, side airbags are an unusual option for the class, and the parts used in the car's construction exude quality.
Few competitors can match Toyota's run-forever reputation and high levels of build quality. But with lots of better cars competing for slices of the econo-sedan pie, Toyota has its work cut out for it in 2001. Especially since the Chevrolet Prizm, an identical twin of the Corolla, is sold with big, fat, juicy rebates at the Chevy dealer down the street.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Toyota Corolla.
5 star(52%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(12%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(3%)
106 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Ideal City Car
mrenz83, 05/19/2014
2001 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
I live in NYC, and find this vehicle to be the ideal city car.
The combination of excellent reliability, compact-size and great maneuverability make this car a winner.
Between the horrible pothole ridden roads,
stop and go traffic, excessive idling, and near-constant sudden breaking and my aggressive driving -- this car takes a beating,
However, in spite of the abuse, my Corolla … starts up every time - and continues to run stronger than ever.
I currently have 140k on the car, and even with the abuse it takes from city driving
fully expect it to last another 100k.
I average about 6k miles driver a year, so I anticipate driving this car for the next 10+ years.
5 out of 5 stars
Prius economy in a straight ICE
hugho, 02/17/2020
2001 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
We have had our 2001 sedan for 15 years. All components on the car are still working flawlessly which is amazing given where we live(6500 feet in Wyoming). All plastic, and electronic components, gaskets etc are as good as new. Seat is still comfortable. It has 295000 miles. The only repair has been to the engine which began burning oil at 220000 miles and finally threw a rod at 282K. I … rebuilt the engine IN THE CAR(!!) in my garage over a weekend for $650. The oil burning was due to partially plugged oil return holes in the pistons and valve guide/seals. With a reman head It now runs as new and still delivers 39-46 mpg with the 5 spd and it has surprising power and now burns zero oil. Frequent oil changes with synthetic oil; are essential. These are timing chain engines which saves a great deal of money. The 5 spd version is the jewel in the crown. Our best economy with the old engine was over 50 mpg on numerous occasions. Head gaskets rarely fail and these cars should not be scrapped as they are easy to fix inexpensively. The only con is the known oil burning issue which is a cheap and easy fix.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Reliable transportation
downsb, 05/30/2008
2001 Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
This car is a very reliable economy car. That being said, the 'economy' part should speak for itself in terms of interior room, comfort, etc. Short on inside space and features, but fairly easy to customize or add to. Small but fairly peppy 1.8L engine gets me an average of 34 mpg, and as high as 41. Excellent turning radius, and very good at maneuvering in heavy traffic, as well as … very good field of view. Perfect for a small commuter car. Excellent for students, as it's fairly inexpensive to repair in most cases (for a foreign vehicle). Only complaint is that it has a problem with oil consumption.
4.25 out of 5 stars
A couple of hundred miles without gas!
gsschro2, 05/29/2011
2001 Toyota Corolla CE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 3A)
My fiance noticed the low engine light on the car last week and had me check it. The car had less than a quart left when I changed the oil. She drove for a week before telling me so that is around 200-300 miles. Toyota quality is amazing. I cannot believe that the engine did not blow up! The rest of the car is boring but I like the car now for its toughness!
2001 Corolla Highlights
CE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $12,568 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $142/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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