Toyota Corolla Review

2009 Toyota Corolla XLE Sedan Shown

Now in its tenth generation, the compact Toyota Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in automotive history. And with good reason: This is the quintessential economy car. It's small, inexpensive, fuel-efficient and reliable. Put gas in it, give it the occasional oil change and it will provide dependable transportation well past the 100,000-mile mark. That's why more than 200,000 Americans, from high schoolers to retirees, buy Corollas every year.

Since its 1968 introduction in the U.S., the Toyota Corolla has come in a variety of body styles, including sedan, coupe, hatchback and wagon. The current car, which is available only in sedan form, is larger, heavier and more expensive than early models, but still provides all the usual benefits of Corolla ownership, along with a substantially more refined driving experience. Several competitors in the economy sedan class offer sportier dynamics and a wider range of features, but arguably none can top the Corolla when it comes to overall quality.

Current Toyota Corolla

The tenth-generation Toyota Corolla debuted for the 2009 model year. It's not longer or taller than the previous-generation Corolla, but it is a little wider, which creates additional hip- and shoulder room. A telescoping steering wheel is a welcome addition for taller drivers, as are accoutrements like an auxiliary audio input, keyless startup and a navigation system. Updated styling gives the Corolla a "baby Camry" look from certain angles.

Available trim levels are base, LE, S, XLE and XRS. Base models are reasonably well-equipped but lack power accessories, which the LE model adds. The S model has only the base model's convenience features as standard but gains various sporty touches. The XLE is the most luxurious Corolla, while the XRS is less luxurious but features a larger engine and a sport-tuned suspension.

Fuel economy has always been a Corolla hallmark. To this end, all Corollas but the XRS model employ an updated version of Toyota's venerable 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which is renowned for its efficiency. This 132-horsepower power plant manages to make the current Corolla a hair faster than its predecessor while still returning comparable gas mileage. The XRS employs a 158-hp, 2.4-liter inline-4, which makes the car reasonably quick, with a predictable penalty at the pump. The current XRS actually has less hp than the previous-generation XRS, though it does generate substantially more torque.

Like its predecessors, the Toyota Corolla mostly aims to please the average consumer. Ride quality is smooth and quiet, while the car's handling is adequate but uninspired. This trend continues in the cabin, where there's nothing flashy about the design. Materials quality is good for this class, however, and the control layout is as simple and organized as they come. There's ample room in the backseat, and the awkward driving position of past models has been largely rectified by the telescoping steering column.

Past Toyota Corolla Models

The ninth-generation Toyota Corolla was produced from 2003-'08 and came in CE, S, LE and XRS trim levels. The CE was a basic economy car but came with essentials like air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat and a CD player. The Corolla S offered a few more conveniences, while adding a lower body kit, rear spoiler and smoked headlamps for a faux sport sedan look. The LE did away with the sporty add-ons in favor of a more upscale feel -- it was the one to get if you wanted faux wood interior trim. Finally, there was the XRS, the only truly sporty member of the Toyota Corolla family. In addition to all the cosmetic touches from the S model, the XRS had a more powerful engine, a firmer suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and alloy wheels.

For power, the CE, S and LE had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder rated for 126 hp. This doesn't sound like a lot, but the ninth-generation Corolla got around well for a car in this class, providing solid highway acceleration. The XRS, which was only produced for 2004 and '05, had a higher-revving 1.8-liter four good for 164 hp. Acceleration was definitely quicker, but many consumers would probably find the engine's peaky power delivery annoying in everyday traffic. Additionally, the XRS was only available with a manual transmission, whereas other Corollas could be equipped with a manual or automatic.

Changes to the ninth-generation Corolla were limited but possibly significant for used-car shoppers. Notably, side curtain airbags, stability control and a JBL audio system were all newly available for the '05 model year. In reviews at the time, we noted that this Corolla offered a smooth and quiet ride but uninspiring handling. There was nothing flashy about the cabin's design, but materials quality was very high for this class of car. There was ample room in the backseat, but the driving position was awkward.

If you're shopping for a used Toyota Corolla, chances are your search will turn up plenty of eighth-generation models, sold from 1998-2002. Besides being a good choice from a reliability and fuel-economy standpoint, this Corolla is an excellent used-car buy if safety is a priority -- it was the first low-priced compact sedan to offer side airbags as an option back in 1998. All Corollas from this era were sedans, and all had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Acceleration was solid, though we'd advise you to avoid base models equipped with the archaic three-speed automatic transmission (either VE or CE, depending on the model year). Ride comfort and materials quality were also strengths; a cramped backseat was the major negative.

The seventh generation covers the years 1993-'97. Similar in size and personality to its successor, this Corolla was powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine. Horsepower output was anywhere from 100 to 115, depending on the model year and emissions equipment. Dual front airbags were standard in all years, except 1993. A wagon version was available from 1993-'96.

Sixth-generation Corollas sold from 1988-'92 were much smaller and boxier, although the lineup was considerably more varied. In addition to the plain-Jane sedan, there was a sporty GTS coupe with a high-revving four-cylinder rated for as much as 130 hp (an impressive number at the time). An all-wheel-drive "All-Trac" wagon was also available.

One thing to keep in mind if you're shopping for a Toyota Corolla sedan from most of these generations is that GM sold an identical model called the Prizm under the Chevrolet and Geo brands. Depreciation was always higher on this car, meaning that you can buy a used one for less than you'd pay for the Toyota version.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.