Toyota debuts all-new Corolla subcompact sedan

May 2, 2008

By Connie Keane Motor Matters

There's a reason why the Corolla has been around for nearly 40 years.

It has always evolved to meet current demand trends. Comfort, safety and affordability are benchmarks that Toyota has hit with the all-new 2009 Corolla.

I test-drove the 2009 Toyota Corolla recently and the first thing I did was look at the sticker for the price and the EPA rating for the fuel economy. This is the way people are thinking: "How much does it cost ... how much mileage does it get?" I used to be asked, "What's the horsepower?" Not so much anymore.

The all-new 2009 Corolla has a base price of $15,250, and with a variety of trim levels available, the base starting price tops at $19,950. The five grades Toyota offers on the 2009 Corolla are Standard, LE, XLE, the sport-oriented S and the performance-driven XRS.

I tested the S version with a starting price of $17,150. Optional equipment of electronic stability control and traction control; an all-weather guard package of a heavy-duty heater, anti-chip color-keyed sideview mirrors; plus a Satellite capable, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 upgraded sound system, brought the as-tested price to $18,410. That is a very good price for small car with extras.

Do you have to pay extra for safety?

This is what the 2009 Corolla S buyer gets as standard equipment in that department: nearly everything. The safety protection system includes dual front airbags, head curtain airbags, side-impact airbags, whiplash protection active head restraints, and anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist.

Powering the Corolla is the 16-valve, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The small engine will develop 132 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque. Toyota's performance-focused Corolla XRS has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that offers 158 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is rated to return fuel achievements of 22/29 mpg with the five-speed manual transmission.

For it's all-new 2009 model, Toyota designers say they gave the Corolla an all-new body with a leaner, more muscular shape compared to the model it replaces. Without proper lighting design is an illusion. That's why color is so important.

In recent months I've come to have a greater appreciation for exterior car color. Paint technology has been advancing with metallic and pearlescents, creating an ever-expanding universe of color possibilities. There is no excuse for a small car to look bland when color can erase the mistake of mediocre styling.

My tester looked dull and unshapely in Blue Streak Metallic paint. I would not choose this color an already undramatic car. I'd go with the lighter Classic Silver Metallic.

Corolla's interior is roomy with enhanced driver-focused comfort. In fact, engineers measured the driving positions of tall individuals when designing the new shape of the seats and repositioned the steering column so that all drivers could find comfortable command positions.