2009 Toyota Corolla vs. Its Competition

2009 Toyota Corolla
Martin Padgett Martin Padgett Editorial Director

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.

2009 Toyota Corolla 2009 Toyota Corolla
Browse Used Listings		2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS2008 Hyundai Elantra
Browse Used Listings		2008 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport *Ltd Avail*2008 Mazda MAZDA3
Browse Used Listings		2008 Nissan Sentra 4-door Sedan Man SE-R Spec V Open Doors2008 Nissan Sentra
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
7.8
The 2009 Toyota Corolla has a split personality: the utilitarian base car and the slightly edgy, expensive Corolla XRS.
7.6
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra doesn’t have a lot of personality, but it’s the undeniable practical choice.
7.8
The 2008 Mazda 3 is easily one of the best compact cars for sale in the United States.
7.8
The 2008 Nissan Sentra is worth a drive, but its CVT may turn off some buyers.
MSRP From   
$15,350$13,970$13,895$16,140
Gas Mileage   
22 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy24 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy21 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy
Engine   
Gas I4Gas I4Gas I4Gas I4
EPA Class   
CompactMid-SizeCompactCompact
Style Name   
4-Door Sedan Manual (SE)4-Door Sedan Manual GLS4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport *Ltd Avail*4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0
Drivetrain   
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity   
5555
Passenger Doors   
N/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style   
4 Door Sedan4 Door Sedan4 Door Sedan4 Door Sedan
Transmission   
Manual w/ODManual w/ODManual w/ODCVT
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2009 Toyota Corolla vs. 2008 Hyundai Elantra2009 Toyota Corolla vs. 2008 Mazda MAZDA32009 Toyota Corolla vs. 2008 Nissan Sentra