Corolla

All it shares with other cars is the road.

The Toyota Corolla small sedan is available in five trim levels: 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.

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Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

If you select the Corolla S, the LE’s equipment upgrades m toyota-corolla-wheel ove to the options list, but you gain 16-inch steel wheels, full underbody spoilers, foglights, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an extra pair of stereo speakers.

Essentially a luxury version of the LE, the new Corolla XLE also gets the 16-inch wheels and upgraded stereo while adding amenities like a sliding center armrest, wood-grain interior trim, electroluminescent gauges, keyless entry and variable intermittent wipers.

The top-of-the-line XRS, meanwhile, builds upon the S model’s equipment list.

Powertrains and Performance

With the exception of the XRS, all 2009 Toyota Corollas a toyota-corolla-engine re motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 132 hp and 128 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional. You can look forward to 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway EPA ratings with either transmission.

Selecting the Corolla XRS entitles you to a 2.4-liter engine good for 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is standard and a five-speed automatic is optional.

Safety

Every Toyota Corolla comes with antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Stability control is standard on the XRS and optional on other Corollas. Only the XRS has four-wheel disc brakes; other Corollas have rear drums.

Interior Design and Special Features

Cabin design is a strong point for the 2009 Toyota Cor toyota-corolla-interior1 olla. The driving position better accommodates drivers of different sizes than in past years, and the control layout is as ergonomic as they come.

Storage is more than ample up front, particularly with the addition of a double glovebox. Materials quality is high, and fit and finish is consistent with Toyota’s historically high standards.

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