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2009 Toyota Corolla Performance Review

March 31, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Steering feel is largely absent
Autoblog

Offers pleasantly predictable, pushy front-wheel-drive handling
Car and Driver

XRS has more than adequate power with the manual
ConsumerGuide

For 2009, the Toyota Corolla features two engine options, as well as several different transmissions that deliver acceptable driving performance and solid fuel economy.

Powering every version of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, with the exception of the XRS, is Toyota's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which Car and Driver points out "has 132 horsepower, up from 126" on last year's Corolla. Edmunds finds that this powerplant "delivers respectable acceleration in normal traffic situations." All four lower-end models of the Corolla Toyota offer one of two transmissions, which Motor Trend lists as either a "four-speed automatic" or a "five-speed manual."

The 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS, which Car and Driver says boasts "the Scion xB's 158-hp, 2.4-liter four cylinder engine," is offered in either the five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Kelley Blue Book writes that on every 2009 Toyota Corolla except the XRS, "performance is adequate with the five-speed manual, less so with the automatic." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com appreciated the Toyota Corolla XRS's additional power, which ConsumerGuide says is "more than adequate...with the manual transmission."

For the 2009 Toyota Corolla, Edmunds claims that the EPA estimates fuel economy for the 1.8-liter engine to be "27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway" regardless of the transmission. The 2.4-liter engine suffers a drop in efficiency, posting EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Driving impressions of the Toyota Corolla varied depending on the type of driving involved. Edmunds notes that the Corolla Toyota "excels as a commuter car" with its "comfortable, controlled ride." More spirited driving yields disappointing results, with ConsumerGuide describing the XRS as unlikely to "excite enthusiast drivers," while "other models suffer copious noseplow in fast corners and react sluggishly to rapid turns of the wheel." Earning positive reviews were the brakes on the Toyota Corolla, which Kelley Blue Book feels are "strong and fade-free," although handling is "not up to some of the best of the competition."

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota Corolla won't ever be confused with a sports sedan, and to get more exciting performance from the XRS, you have to sacrifice significant fuel economy numbers.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Steering feel is largely absentAutoblogOffers pleasantly predictable, pushy front-wheel-drive handlingCar and DriverXRS has more than adequate power with the manualConsumerGuide For 2009, the Toyota Corolla features two engine options, as well as several different transmissions that deliver acceptable driving performance and solid fuel economy. Powering every version of the 2009 Toyota Corolla, with the exception of the XRS, is Toyota's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which Car and Driver points out "has 132 horsepower, up from 126" on last year's Corolla. Edmunds finds that this powerplant "delivers respectable acceleration in normal traffic situations." All four lower-end models of the Corolla Toyota offer one of two transmissions, which Motor Trend lists as either a "four-speed automatic" or a "five-speed manual." The 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS, which Car and Driver says boasts "the Scion xB's 158-hp, 2.4-liter four cylinder engine," is offered in either the five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Kelley Blue Book writes that on every 2009 Toyota Corolla except the XRS, "performance is adequate with the five-speed manual, less so with the automatic." Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com appreciated the Toyota Corolla XRS's additional power, which ConsumerGuide says is "more than adequate...with the manual transmission." For the 2009 Toyota Corolla, Edmunds claims that the EPA estimates fuel economy for the 1.8-liter engine to be "27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway" regardless of the transmission. The 2.4-liter engine suffers a drop in efficiency, posting EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Driving impressions of the Toyota Corolla varied depending on the type of driving involved. Edmunds notes that the Corolla Toyota "excels as a commuter car" with its "comfortable, controlled ride." More spirited driving yields disappointing results, with ConsumerGuide describing the XRS as unlikely to "excite enthusiast drivers," while "other models suffer copious noseplow in fast corners and react sluggishly to rapid turns of the wheel." Earning positive reviews were the brakes on the Toyota Corolla, which Kelley Blue Book feels are "strong and fade-free," although handling is "not up to some of the best of the competition." ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota Corolla won't ever be confused with a sports sedan, and to get more exciting performance from the XRS, you have to sacrifice significant fuel economy numbers. 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Autoblog: "One of the handsomest pieces of sheetmetal in Toyota's U.S. lineup" Edmunds: "Attractive and ergonomic interior design" Kelley Blue Book: "A lower, wider, sportier look to compete with Honda's Civic" The Toyota Corolla has ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Honda Civic emerged in 2006 from a redesign with a spacey interior and less backseat room, but with a better sense of style and road feel than the new Corolla. The Hyundai Elantra's a big bargain compared to the Toyota, as is Hyundai's larger Sonata compared to the $22,000 Corolla XRS. The Nissan Sentra has jazzier style and a better backseat, while the Mazda3 is the zippiest of all, and it can be tweaked out in turbocharged Mazdaspeed3 form.

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See the Toyota Corolla in Other Years:

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

Comments (12 total)

  1. By Ayman #1, Posted: 6/25/2008

    Mr

    complete exterior and interior photos and specs

  2. By lerone #2, Posted: 12/27/2008

    gregg

    wana buy ah corolla cause day look real good

  3. By William Hudgens #4, Posted: 2/2/2009

    MIS Operations

    I love the car but not the "Digital Clock" in the dashboard. Now my kids can't see the clock. In the brochure shows the Clock as a separate device and not included with the multi information display.

  4. By Gumero Austin #5, Posted: 2/11/2009

    Long Distance Driver

    Electronic Power steering dangers -
    On a few cars they didn't calibrate the new steering. Some will notice that it will not track straight. It will seem to pull to the left or right. But this should be a recall but I am just one person.

  5. By Lisa Davis #6, Posted: 2/15/2009

    Wheel is all over the road

    I am having a little issue. It's like driving a shopping cart. My steering drifts all over the road. I almost ran into sign.

  6. By steve Ford #7, Posted: 2/25/2009

    Power Steering is Dangerous

    Driving many hours day the car is pulsing from right to left. My neighbor has one the same year and it drives just fine. The Toyota Dealer says it's just a common complaint but it's normal.

  7. By Eric W #8, Posted: 3/6/2009

    Corolla for Life

    What Happened the the new Corolla? I just bought the new 2009 and the steering is something awful. Someone is going to get HURT! It takes the wheel and sometimes wont give it back.

  8. By James #10, Posted: 3/30/2009

    Steering is near perfect

    I've had my 09 XRS for about 7 or 8 months now and I've never had any problem with steering. I can let go of the wheel for a good 8 seconds at 120kph with little to no drift in either direction. I drive it every day.
    This steering problem that some people are having definitely doesn't happen on all of them.

  9. By howard allen #11, Posted: 5/28/2009

    steering is very dangerous

    steering is a constant correction over correction etc and is extremely dangerous.the dash gages are difficult to read in most daylight conditions.clock and temperature gages should have dedicated spaces.as it is you have to take you eyes off the road to long to read all the info.gas/temp gages to small

  10. By pucho #12, Posted: 6/29/2009

    Steering problem
    my car swings left and right; don't feel safe!
    dealer said it's like any other luxury car. are they funny?

  11. By Don Thomason #13, Posted: 7/19/2009

    My wife and I have 2 2009 Corollas (His and Hers). They are both the same and both are getting 49 mpg plus at 60 mph on Cruise Control on the freeway on trips. The steering takes some getting used to but is no means dangerous. We are completely satisfied with ours--I have 10,000 miles on mine and she has 7000 miles on hers. Don Thomason, waucondaone@q.com

  12. By Tom Miller #14, Posted: 8/3/2009

    My first Toyota since having a Corona (what the Camry was called man moons ago). The best thing about it seems to be the engine. It very efficient, but still peppy when you need it. My only complaint would is that all trims should have disk brakes all around. Home on, how much more could that be these days.

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