NEW TOYOTA COROLLA
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Car and Driver website visitor rankings:
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| Here's how our visitors have reviewed this vehicle. |
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Average Rating |
| Overall |
8.55 |
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| Vehicle Styling |
7.2 |
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| Braking |
8.39 |
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| Handling |
7.66 |
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| Fuel Economy |
9.21 |
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| Interior Comfort |
7.15 |
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| Acceleration |
7.61 |
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| Dependability |
9.25 |
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| Fit and Finish |
7.89 |
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| Transmission |
8.26 |
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| Ride |
7.86 |
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| Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best
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| To read other User Road Tests or to submit your own review click here |
(Read more of Car and Driver's review here)
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A solid economy sedan that many will purchase on the basis of name alone. Next to its peers, though, the Corolla costs too much and lacks personality.
Pros
Refined and roomy interior, excellent gas mileage and crash test scores, long list of safety features, spunky XRS model, illustrious reliability record.
Cons
Awkward driver-seat position, bland personality, gets pricey when even basic features are desired, sedan body style only.
What''s New for 2005
A sporty new XRS model debuts boasting a 170-horsepower engine and a sport-tuned suspension. Additionally, all Corollas receive a restyled front fascia and rear taillights. The LE model now has Lexus-like Optitron instrumentation, along with a cloth-trimmed center console and sun visors. Side curtain airbags, stability control and a JBL audio system are all new options.
Overview
Introduction:
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. You don''t earn a distinction like that without some measure of undeterred loyalty. But unlike more notable cult cars, such as the Volkswagen Beetle or the Ford Mustang, the Corolla didn''t inspire its massive following because of unique styling or lusty performance. Instead, it has used a more conservative, but no less desirable, combination of an affordable price, excellent fuel economy and superb engineering to convince millions upon millions of car buyers that the Corolla was the car for them. Based on our testing, the ninth-generation Corolla sedan is certainly a likable car. It''s thoughtfully designed with a user-friendly control layout and materials that seem nice enough to be used in a more expensive Camry. Although room in the front seat is merely average, the backseat is spacious enough to accommodate adults comfortably. Trunk capacity is rated at a generous 13.6 cubic feet. Crash test results have been favorable, and this year Toyota has added side curtain airbags and stability control to the options list to bolster its already strong reputation among safety-conscious buyers. Save for the new 170-horsepower XRS model, performance is about average among economy sedans. The car''s base four-cylinder engine provides adequate acceleration for everyday driving situations, and gas mileage numbers are in the 30s. Ride quality is satisfactory for commuters, and the Corolla handles well enough to get around corners with ease. But many of these things could be said about its competitors as well. Toyota hopes to change the dowdy image with the new XRS. Performance comes from a retuned version of the peaky 1.8-liter dual-overhead cam engine and six-speed manual transmission found in the Celica GT-S and Matrix XRS. In the Corolla, it produces 170 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. This engine is known for its peaky power delivery, but Toyota says that it has been retuned to provide more usable midrange power in the Corolla. A sport-tuned suspension with a strut tower brace and half-inch lower ride height promises tighter handling and a firmer ride in the XRS, and a revised steering system with a more rigid steering column and a specially developed steering rack should make it feel more alert in the turns. If you''re looking for nothing more than basic transportation, the Corolla -- particularly a loaded-up version -- seems a bit like overkill. There are a number of sedans that offer equivalent accommodations, features and performance for considerably less money. Do they have the same reputations for quality and reliability? Probably not, but with warranties extending as far as 100,000 miles, it hardly seems much of a risk. For those who are willing to spend a little extra for peace of mind, however, the Corolla makes perfect sense.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The five-passenger Corolla comes as a sedan only. Trim levels include the base CE, the better-equipped LE, the somewhat sporty S and the truly sporty XRS. Standard features in the CE include air conditioning, a CD player, power steering, power mirrors, an outside temperature gauge, 60/40-split-folding rear seats and 15-inch wheels. Go with the LE to gain fake-wood trim, Optitron gauges, a driver-seat height adjuster and remote keyless entry. The S model includes "sporty" trim such as body-color rocker panels and door handles, smoked headlights, foglights, special gauges and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The XRS adds a 170-horsepower engine, sport seats, four-wheel disc brakes, tire pressure monitors and cruise control. Options include upgraded audio systems, cruise control, leather seating and a sunroof.
Powertrains and Performance:
Power for CE, LE and S models comes in the form of a 130-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Thanks to a variable valve timing system (Toyota''s VVT-i), this engine provides decent acceleration. Transmission choices are either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The XRS features a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter with variable valve timing and lift (VVTL-i) mated to a six-speed manual transmission; an automatic is not available on this model.
Safety:
The Corolla comes with multistage front airbags that deploy at various levels, depending on impact. Full-length side curtain airbags and front side-impact airbags are optional, as are antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (standard on the XRS). Stability control is optional on models equipped with an automatic transmission and ABS. In the NHTSA''s crash tests, the Corolla earned five stars (the best score possible) for frontal impact protection and four stars for side-impact protection. In 40-mph frontal offset crash testing by the IIHS, it received a "Good" rating (the highest possible) and was named a "Best Pick" among small cars.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Every Corolla''s interior is furnished with high-quality materials and user-friendly controls that wouldn''t seem out of place in a more expensive car. Even with the car''s tall cabin design, room in the front seats is only average with a somewhat awkward seating position for the driver. Meanwhile, two adults can sit comfortably in the backseat without ducked heads or pulled-up legs. Trunk capacity measures a generous 13.6 cubic feet.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
We''ve found the Corolla''s performance acceptable, with a good off-the-line punch and decent passing power at speed. Like most four-cylinder cars, it gets a little noisy at higher engine rpm, but never loud enough to sound overly intrusive. During highway driving, the Corolla is a quiet cruiser, with very little ambient engine noise and even less wind noise. Though not as sporty as some competitors, this Toyota offers an appealing compromise between handling and comfort. It rides smoothly enough to be used as a commuter car, while maintaining its composure when occasionally pushed around the corners. For those seeking a little extra entertainment without giving up Corolla reliability, the 170-horse XRS model is a good bet.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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