CTC Review: 2009 Toyota Corolla S

[Blueprint]

...but the exterior?  Worst.  Stock.  Bodykit.  Ever.

I think the previous gen XRS took that crown.

Ditto.  Bodykit looks better on the XRS with the larger wheels; haven't seen an "S" yet on the streets, but lots of CEs, LEs and a few XRS'.

[Cam A]

"Everything fits together well, everything looks nice enough but nothing stands out and makes you think: “Wow that’s cool — I want one of these!”"
Is that how you buy a car?  I think that most that purchase a Corolla make their decision on less emotional factors.

[wing]

^ That is how MANY people buy a car.

A co-worker recently purchased a Mazda3 after seeing a picture of the dash, he wouldn't even testdrive anything else.

[2hondas1BMW]

I like S bodykit on the 'Rolla,it does show some difference than the regular sedan.

+ 1. The Corolla S looks 100x better than the LE, CE models, IMO.

I know countless people who own Corollas, of the previous generation, and the one before that. They all love them...but none of them are car enthusiasts. The main reasons they like them: Reliability and superb gas mileage. 

[conwelpic]

Toyota has a tough job with the Corolla.  They are desperate to get younger customers, but they are also very aware that they own the 45+ compact car market, and that is pure gravy for them.  What to do?  Appeal to a young fickle crowd and possibly alienate your existing customer base?

"It's easier to sell to someone you already sold to, than aquire a new customer."  Smart, but also hurts growth.

A few years back, they fiqured the XRS would do the job, but it wasn't a pleasant car to drive.  This time they got smart and put the 2.4L torquey engine in the XRS, solving the "I need an eight speed trans!" issue and broadening the appeal of the XRS.  The S model might steal a few Civic customers, but you get the economy of the 1.8L.

Me, I don't see the appeal of the XRS.  At $24K-ish and sacrificing fuel economy, I'll get a 170hp Impreza with AWD and vastly superior chassis dynamics.  The Corolla is about economical driving.

according to your profile you own a 2009 Toyota Corolla, so which model did you get?  And why, it almost sounds from your comment that you wasn't too thrilled with a Corolla? 

[johngenx]

according to your profile you own a 2009 Toyota Corolla, so which model did you get?  And why, it almost sounds from your comment that you wasn't too thrilled with a Corolla? 

We have a CE-C Package AT and it's NOT a "thrilling" car.  Nope, it's just a plain old economy car that is incredible value.  $20K all in (taxes, etc) and gets under 8L/100km in the city and in the low 5's on the highway.  It serves it's purpose well.

[Thinking Out Loud]

We have a CE-C Package AT and it's NOT a "thrilling" car.  Nope, it's just a plain old economy car that is incredible value.  $20K all in (taxes, etc) and gets under 8L/100km in the city and in the low 5's on the highway.  It serves it's purpose well.

Just as Toyota designed it be.   

[carcrazed]

I personally think the Corolla S looks quite nice on the outside with the skirt package.
Inside, however, is typically boring.

Really?  I think the interior is nice, but the exterior?  Worst.  Stock.  Bodykit.  Ever.

Initially, I thought the interior looked nice, but that was compared to that of the prev. gen Corolla's.
Compared to the Civics and Mazda3s, I personally think it's too 'plain' as wing said.

But then again, I guess Toyota had to appeal to the older buyers with its CE/LE exterior + plain interior to sell.

[Minou]

James, while the Corolla is in your hands, carry a spare gallon of gas and drive the thing 'till you run out of gas.  Then fill it up at CD's charge and let everyone know exactly how much petrol the Corolla's supposedly 50 liter tank holds.

[gasmizer]

  I don't buy an economy car to go around corners fast. And I don't buy one to rev at 3000rmp between shifts at $1.34 a litre. I buy one that is reliable,good on gas and good resale value.Go buy a Porsche if you want to throw your car into a corner.  Personally I think the new Corolla looks to much like the old model.

[wing]

Some people do, some people don't.

Most people buying Mazda3's are buying them for the fun to drive factor.  You don't need a porsche to have some fun.  I meet people at the track with everything from Hyundai Accents to Porsche GT3's.  You can have fun in an accent as well, just because you can't afford a Porsche doesn't mean you can't have fun with your car.

And if you don't Rev to 3000rpm please get off the road, it will take you FOREVER to get out of my way.

[Cortina]

When accelerating briskly and shifting at 3,500rpm, the car dips very low and out of the power band causing the car to go from peppy to… well, slow, after the shift.

Is that for maxmuim fuel economy?

The honda is really lazy until you put your foot into.

Also have they improved the plastic, are they now on par with the Civics?

Most people buying Mazda3's are buying them for the fun to drive factor. 

I think the Mazda 3 is starting to look a bit old and dated now. It is getting a bit long in the Tooth.

[Thinking Out Loud]

I think the Mazda 3 is starting to look a bit old and dated now. It is getting a bit long in the Tooth.

Any word on when the next 3 is coming? 

[initial_D]

  I don't buy an economy car to go around corners fast. And I don't buy one to rev at 3000rmp between shifts at $1.34 a litre. I buy one that is reliable,good on gas and good resale value.Go buy a Porsche if you want to throw your car into a corner.  Personally I think the new Corolla looks to much like the old model.

My dad is that way, too. He is 76 this year.

[Honda Owner]

Hondas, especially the Fit, are cars for people who really like to drive. A Fit lives above 3500 rpm. If you are looking for low end torque, the Corolla is a better buy for you.

[carcrazed]

With V6s, it's not too bad to rev below 2500, but with 4 bangers like Corolla, Civic, and Mazda3s, I feel like I have to rev them up to at least 3200rpm to get decent torque out of them; and yes, I have drove all three.

The Fit, however, gets too buzzy at any speed, IMO.

[Honda Owner]

The Fit is certainly not for everybody. It is kind of a go kart experience. However, for urban driving, it is hard to beat the combination of, safety, power, economy and versatility.

In 100% urban traffic, I got 7.4 L /100km on my last tank and I was certainly not going easy on it.

[safristi]

."and i certainly wasn't going east on it"...Quote.....   just as well ya weren't going West eh!!! ...ok maybe to Stanley PARK it.........

[Johnny]

James, it appears from some of the interior photos that the colour of the dash & door panels are mis-matched. Or is it just the lighting?

[cruzzer]

Hasn't the Corolla has mostly been about reliability, economy and conservative performance since it began? While some seem to feel they should buy a sports car in order to have some fun driving, I don't have that kind of money. Honda products (Civic, Fit and Acura EL) have had a better blend of economy, reliability and a decent 'fun' factor. The Mazda3 has in recent years done a better job of the fun, but doesn't compete as well in fuel economy.