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2008 Toyota Corolla Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com’s car experts studied road tests of the 2008 Toyota Corolla to write this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s resident experts also drove the 2008 Toyota Corolla to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Poised handling
  • Well-built, inside and out
  • Rides well
  • Good crash performance

Dislikes:

  • Low power
  • Engine gets coarse at high revs
  • Side-impact crash results

Buying Tips:


The 2009 Toyota Corolla is already appearing on dealer lots—if you find a 2008 Toyota Corolla you like, you may be able to strike a better deal on it, with the new edition already rolling out nationwide. If you need more cargo space, the Toyota Corolla Matrix is a five-door wagon based on the same running gear.

Now that the Japanese automaker has added the Yaris to its lineup, the 2008 Toyota Corolla is the second least expensive car in its lineup (not counting the Scion cars). The 2008 Corolla is the last of its kind—Toyota is redesigning the car for the 2009 model year—and in its final year, the Corolla looks pretty much as it’s looked since it emerged in 2003. It’s modern, sober, and substantial, but hardly exciting or youthful. That feeling of sophistication carries to the interior, which is cleanly styled, easy to use, and surprisingly roomy.

A standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine makes 126 horsepower in the 2008 Toyota Corolla. It gets a bit rough at higher revs and isn't quiet about its work, but it does deliver 28/37 mpg with the five-speed manual, and 26/35 mpg with a four-speed automatic. The MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension couldn't be more ordinary in specification, but it's poised, composed, and driver-blunder-resistant. The handling limits are rather low, but the Corollas run smoothly and quietly. Throw in decent front disc/rear drum brakes (anti-lock brakes are optional on the S and LE) and excellent rack-and-pinion steering, and this is as close to a luxury car ride and experience as any small economy sedan has ever. Standard on all cars is a 60/40 folding rear seat and a CD player; all sorts of power options are available, and some versions even have “wood” trim that doesn’t look too bad.

Front-seat side and curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are available as options for all model grades. The 2008 Toyota Corolla gets five star ratings in front crash protection from the NHTSA, along with four stars for side impact when outfitted with side airbags.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Toyota Corolla, also consider:

Reason Why:

The compact sedan class includes some top-drawer competition. The class leader is the Honda Civic; in sedan form, it has very modern styling with a unique two-level dash that’s controversial, but its handling is good, as is fuel economy. A hybrid version is available. The Mazda3 has the best handling in the class, but it’s a little tight on rear-seat room. The Ford Focus has an ungainly new style, but fuel economy is good and the 2008 version has a wealth of new features, including Ford’s SYNC entertainment controller.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Toyota Corolla may be aging, but it’s aging well—though its engine can sound a little raspy.

TheCarConnection.com’s car experts studied road tests of the 2008 Toyota Corolla to write this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s resident experts also drove the 2008 Toyota Corolla to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Poised handlingWell-built, inside and outRides wellGood crash performanceDislikes:Low powerEngine gets coarse at high revsSide-impact crash resultsBuying Tips: The 2009 Toyota Corolla is already appearing on dealer lots—if you find a 2008 Toyota Corolla you like, you may be able to strike a better deal on it, with the new edition already rolling out nationwide. If you need more cargo space, the Toyota Corolla Matrix is a five-door wagon based on the same running gear. Now that the Japanese automaker has added the Yaris to its lineup, the 2008 Toyota Corolla is the second least expensive car in its lineup (not counting the Scion cars). The 2008 Corolla is the last of its kind—Toyota is redesigning the car for the 2009 model year—and in its final year, the Corolla looks pretty much as it’s looked since it emerged in 2003. It’s modern, sober, and substantial, but hardly exciting or youthful. That feeling of sophistication carries to the interior, which is cleanly styled, easy to use, and surprisingly roomy. A standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine makes 126 horsepower in the 2008 Toyota Corolla. It gets a bit rough at higher revs and isn't quiet about its work, but it does deliver 28/37 mpg with the five-speed manual, and 26/35 mpg with a four-speed automatic. The MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension couldn't be more ordinary in specification, but it's poised, composed, and driver-blunder-resistant. The handling limits are rather low, but the Corollas run smoothly and quietly. Throw in decent front disc/rear drum brakes (anti-lock brakes are optional on the S and LE) and excellent rack-and-pinion steering, and this is as close to a luxury car ride and experience as any small economy sedan has ever. Standard on all cars is a 60/40 folding rear seat and a CD player; all sorts of power options are available, and some versions even have “wood” trim that doesn’t look too bad. Front-seat side and curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are available as options for all model grades. The 2008 Toyota Corolla gets five star ratings in front crash protection from the NHTSA, along with four stars for side impact when outfitted with side airbags. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Toyota Corolla, also consider:Honda CivicMazda3Ford FocusReason Why:The compact sedan class includes some top-drawer competition. The class leader is the Honda Civic; in sedan form, it has very modern styling with a unique two-level dash that’s controversial, but its handling is good, as is fuel economy. A hybrid version is available. The Mazda3 has the best handling in the class, but it’s a little tight on rear-seat room. The Ford Focus has an ungainly new style, but fuel economy is good and the 2008 version has a wealth of new features, including Ford’s SYNC entertainment controller. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Toyota Corolla may be aging, but it’s aging well—though its engine can sound a little raspy. TheCarConnection.com’s car experts studied road tests of the 2008 Toyota Corolla to write this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s resident experts also drove the 2008 Toyota Corolla to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, ...

Other Choices:

The compact sedan class includes some top-drawer competition. The class leader is the Honda Civic; in sedan form, it has very modern styling with a unique two-level dash that’s controversial, but its handling is good, as is fuel economy. A hybrid version is available. The Mazda3 has the best handling in the class, but it’s a little tight on rear-seat room. The Ford Focus has an ungainly new style, but fuel economy is good and the 2008 version has a wealth of new features, including Ford’s SYNC entertainment controller.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Toyota Corolla

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Toyota Corolla

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Toyota Corolla near you

See the Toyota Corolla in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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