2009 Toyota Corolla test drive

Now in its 10th iteration, the Toyota Corolla has become an icon on American roads, a symbol of simplicity and practicality. While other compact sedans have sought to recreate themselves, the new Corolla treads in the footsteps of its predecessors. Did Toyota make the right move by giving us more of the same? Read on. Base price $15,910, price as tested $21,659, EPA fuel economy estimates 22-27 city, 30-35 highway.

First Glance: The same, and therefore different
When it comes to the latest crop of compact cars, every automaker is striving to be different, just like everyone else. Look at the futuristic Honda Civic, the cubist Nissan Sentra, the flashy Ford Focus or the racy Mitsubishi Lancer. It seems the only way to really be different is to stay the same -- and that's what Toyota has done with the all-new 2009 Corolla.

Take a brief glance at the old Corolla and the new Corolla and you'll have a hard time telling them apart. A longer comparison makes the differences clear -- the new Corolla has an emphasized wedge motif with stronger, straighter creases and new headlights, taillights and grille. But the basic shape stays the same -- if you'll forgive the totally worn out car review cliché, it's evolution, not revolution.

Frankly, I don't think that's such a bad thing. When it comes to car styling, American buyers are a conservative lot. You don't buy a Corolla to impress your neighbors. You buy a Corolla because it's frugal and sensible. You buy a Corolla because it fits your needs, not because you want to make a statement. (Unless the statement you’re trying to make is that you're the type of person that doesn't need to make a statement. In that case, the Corolla makes exactly the statement you want. Er, don't want.)

The new Corolla is available in Standard, LE, XLE, S and XRS models. S and XRS get a racy body kit and red badges, but while the XRS backs up its looks with a bigger engine and sport-tuned suspension, the S is sporty in dress only, sharing its mechanicals with other Corollas.

In the Driver's Seat: Strong on quality and safety
Inside, the Corolla boasts a simple, functional layout and high-quality materials. Air conditioning controls are of the simple three-dial variety, while my test car's stereo (link goes to photo) was integrated with the optional navigation system, which meant fairly straightforward operation via the system's touch screen. The nav system has a memo function that allows you to set daily alerts -- very handy, as are the dual gloveboxes.

The front seats were fairly comfortable, though I could have done with a bit more thigh support. I'm 5'6", so I imagine that while those shorter than me will find the seat just fine, taller folks might find it a bit too small. But the seat's height adjuster is a boon for all. One of my complaints about the outgoing Corolla was that the driving position put me either too close to the pedals or too far from the steering wheel. The new Corolla's steering wheel tilts (adjusts up-and-down) and telescopes (in-and-out), so that problem has been solved.

In terms of safety, the Corolla's undergone some major improvements: Antilock brakes, front-seat-mounted torso airbags and two-row side curtain airbags are standard, and while electronic stability control (which Toyota calls VSC) is optional on all models save the XRS, it's a bargain at $250.

The Corolla has a rather roomy back seat, but the trunk is just OK at 12.3 cubic feet. The back seat splits and folds -- as it should be in a compact sedan -- but the seat doesn't fold flat and the center seatbelt can't be detached, so it's always in the way.

On the Road: Good power, great economy, but unexciting to drive
All Corollas save the XRS are powered by a 132 horsepower 1.8 liter engine. Standard and S models are available with a 5-speed stick, but the LE and XLE (the latter being the model I tested) come exclusively with a 4-speed automatic. I found this powertrain to be a bit sluggish in the Scion xA and Toyota Matrix hatchbacks, but I thought it was perfectly adequate for the Corolla sedan. Some may chide the old-tech automatic for having only 4 speeds -- the Honda Civic uses a 5-speed automatic while the Sentra and Lancer use a continuously-variable transmission -- but the 4-speed did its job beautifully, downshifting promptly whenever more power was needed. As for fuel economy, um, I sort of recorded the numbers incorrectly, so I can't give you an exact figure. (One of the problems of working alone is that when you screw up, there's no one to pin the blame on.) I appeared to average a little over 30 MPG, a very impressive figure.

The Corolla rides comfortably, though handling isn't its strong suit; the Corolla's chassis is tuned for handling that's predictable but not particularly enjoyable. My tester had the aforementioned optional electronic stability control system, though I found that when I hit wet spots on some of the About.com Top Secret Curvy Test Road's twistier sections, the system had trouble keeping the car pointed in the right direction. That may have had more to do with me pushing the car too hard than any problem with the Corolla's electronics, but any driver could find him- or herself in a similar situation if they have to make a panic swerve in rainy weather.

Journey's End: Corolla's a good thing, even if it's not my thing
What I like best about the new Corolla is that it offers Camry-grade trim in a smaller, more fuel-efficient package. Most compact sedans are aimed at young (read: cash-strapped) buyers, but the Corolla is geared toward people who are buying a small car because that's what they want, not because that's all they can afford. I would have liked to see Toyota carry this theme even further by offering leather seats in the luxury-oriented XLE model, as Honda does with the Civic EX-L and Ford does with the Focus SE/SES. (Toyota does offer leather in the sporty Corolla XRS.)

That said, the Corolla ain't exactly spendy: $16k gets you a Corolla Standard with air conditioning and a CD/MP3 player. But if you want power windows and locks, you'll either have to upgrade to an $18k Corolla LE (which doesn't offer a manual transmission) or a $19k Corolla S (and get that tacked-on body kit). Seems like a silly compromise. The Nissan Sentra starts around $500 higher with power windows/locks and air conditioning, while the Civic starts almost $1,000 cheaper but lacks A/C. My test car, an automatic XLE with all the trimmings, stickered for well under $22k.

Would I buy a Corolla? No -- not because it's a bad car, but because it's just not my cup of tea. (I prefer the Nissan Sentra.) But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Corolla -- it's comfortable, smartly trimmed, adequately powerful and commendably fuel-efficient. The 2009 Corolla may not suit everyone's tastes, but it is a brilliant car from stem to stern. -- Aaron Gold

What I liked about the Toyota Corolla:

• Conservative styling
• Excellent fuel economy
• Camry-grade accommodations in a smaller package
  

What I didn't like:

• Conservative styling
• Smallish trunk
• Not particularly engaging to drive
  

Who should buy the Toyota Corolla:
Anyone looking for economical, comfortable and reliable transportation

Who should not buy the Toyota Corolla:
Those who view driving as more than just getting from point A to point B

Details and specs:

• Body style: 4-door sedan
• Seating capacity: 5
• Trim levels: Standard, S, LE, XLE, XRS
• Price range (including options): $15,910 - $25,075
• Test car model/price: Corolla XLE, $21,659
• Base engine: 1.8 liter four-cylinder, 132 hp @ 6000 RPM, 128 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM
• Optional engine: 2.4 liter four-cylinder, 158 hp @ 6000 RPM, 162 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
• Premium fuel required? No
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic
• Driveline: Front engine, front-wheel-drive
• EPA fuel economy estimates: 27 MPG city/35 MPG highway (1.8 manual/automatic), 22/30 (2.4 manual/automatic)
• Where built: United States, Canada, Japan
• Standard safety equipment: Front airbags, front-seat-mounted side (torso) airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, antilock brakes
• Optional safety equipment: Electronic stability control
• Major standard features: Air conditioning, CD/MP3 player, power steering, power mirrors
• Major options: Power windows/locks, remote keyless entry, GPS-linked navigation system, cruise control, 6-disc CD changer
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain, 5 years/unlimited mileage outer body rust-through
• Roadside assistance/free maintenance: None
  

Best rivals:

• Honda Civic
• Ford Focus
• Nissan Sentra