2011 Toyota Corolla
2011 Toyota Corolla : While its soporific driving dynamics have never made it a favorite around here, the Toyota Corolla is a competent compact sedan that remains one of the bestselling cars in the country. This year, almost 228,000 Americans have bought either a Corolla or Corolla-derived Matrix hatch. For 2011, the Corolla sees changes which are mostly confined to a new front end and minor equipment additions. We got our first look at the L.A. auto show.
2011 Toyota Corolla : The car’s redesign comes just two model years after the current-generation model debuted for 2009. The 2011 wears a new front fascia, a body-color grille, and skinnier headlights, producing a look akin to—but not quite as pretty as—that of the first-generation Mazda 6. A new trunklid, rear bumper, and smaller lighting elements with chrome inserts clean up the look of the rear end. The designs of the 15-inch wheel covers and the Corolla S’s 16-inch wheels are new, and the side-view mirrors have been enlarged to aid those of us who actually bother to use them.
Scant interior updates consist of a new seat fabric, darker plastics for the dashboard and door panels, and a new steering-wheel design for S models. Toyota claims that new windshield glass, redesigned wipers and cowling, and thicker carpeting will keep more noise out of the cabin.
Three Flavors of Vanilla
The latest Corolla is available in just three trims with ascending equipment levels: Corolla, Corolla LE, and Corolla S. The uplevel XLE and sporty XRS (which had a 158-hp, 2.4-liter engine) models die a quiet death. Each of the remaining models features essentially the same kit as last year. The base model has air conditioning, an auxiliary audio input, and power mirrors, but does without power for the windows and door locks. Stepping up to the LE adds those features as well as cruise control, heated mirrors, keyless entry, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Optional on the LE is a Premium package bundling 16-inch alloy wheels, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, fog lights, and a power sunroof.
The range-topping S replaces the standard 15-inch steel wheels with 16-inch alloys wearing marginally wider tires, and adds a “sporty” body kit, a chrome exhaust tip, metallic interior accents, fog lights, and a “sport” instrument cluster. (It makes the car faster!) The only performance-oriented changes are the new wheels and rubber, so don’t expect the car’s dynamics to wake up.
One other addition: Because the country had a collective freak-out, all Corollas get a brake-override system that cuts the throttle when both the brake and accelerator pedals are depressed. ABS, stability and traction control, brake assist, and brake-force distribution all became standard for 2010.
Same Engine, Same Transmissions
Regardless of trim, the Corolla employs a carry-over 1.8-liter inline-four engine with 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed auto optional on base and S trims; the slushbox remains the only transmission for Corolla LE buyers. There’s a 2-mpg increase in city mileage with the five- speed transmission; its ratings are now 28 mpg city/35 highway. The automatic’s fuel-economy ratings remain 26/34 mpg. Although the change isn’t noticeable in those numbers, Toyota says the addition of underbody trays reduces aerodynamic drag.
The 2011 Toyota Corolla goes on sale this December. Even with the slight aesthetic changes, the Corolla wouldn’t be our first choice in the crowded econo-sedan market, but that doesn’t mean people won’t keep buying the things.
2011 Toyota Corolla : While its soporific driving dynamics have never made it a favorite around here, the Toyota Corolla is a competent compact sedan that remains one of the bestselling cars in the country. This year, almost 228,000 Americans have bought either a Corolla or Corolla-derived Matrix hatch. For 2011, the Corolla sees changes which are mostly confined to a new front end and minor equipment additions. We got our first look at the L.A. auto show.
2011 Toyota Corolla : The car’s redesign comes just two model years after the current-generation model debuted for 2009. The 2011 wears a new front fascia, a body-color grille, and skinnier headlights, producing a look akin to—but not quite as pretty as—that of the first-generation Mazda 6. A new trunklid, rear bumper, and smaller lighting elements with chrome inserts clean up the look of the rear end. The designs of the 15-inch wheel covers and the Corolla S’s 16-inch wheels are new, and the side-view mirrors have been enlarged to aid those of us who actually bother to use them.
Scant interior updates consist of a new seat fabric, darker plastics for the dashboard and door panels, and a new steering-wheel design for S models. Toyota claims that new windshield glass, redesigned wipers and cowling, and thicker carpeting will keep more noise out of the cabin.
Three Flavors of Vanilla
The latest Corolla is available in just three trims with ascending equipment levels: Corolla, Corolla LE, and Corolla S. The uplevel XLE and sporty XRS (which had a 158-hp, 2.4-liter engine) models die a quiet death. Each of the remaining models features essentially the same kit as last year. The base model has air conditioning, an auxiliary audio input, and power mirrors, but does without power for the windows and door locks. Stepping up to the LE adds those features as well as cruise control, heated mirrors, keyless entry, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. Optional on the LE is a Premium package bundling 16-inch alloy wheels, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, fog lights, and a power sunroof.
The range-topping S replaces the standard 15-inch steel wheels with 16-inch alloys wearing marginally wider tires, and adds a “sporty” body kit, a chrome exhaust tip, metallic interior accents, fog lights, and a “sport” instrument cluster. (It makes the car faster!) The only performance-oriented changes are the new wheels and rubber, so don’t expect the car’s dynamics to wake up.
One other addition: Because the country had a collective freak-out, all Corollas get a brake-override system that cuts the throttle when both the brake and accelerator pedals are depressed. ABS, stability and traction control, brake assist, and brake-force distribution all became standard for 2010.
Same Engine, Same Transmissions
Regardless of trim, the Corolla employs a carry-over 1.8-liter inline-four engine with 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed auto optional on base and S trims; the slushbox remains the only transmission for Corolla LE buyers. There’s a 2-mpg increase in city mileage with the five- speed transmission; its ratings are now 28 mpg city/35 highway. The automatic’s fuel-economy ratings remain 26/34 mpg. Although the change isn’t noticeable in those numbers, Toyota says the addition of underbody trays reduces aerodynamic drag.
The 2011 Toyota Corolla goes on sale this December. Even with the slight aesthetic changes, the Corolla wouldn’t be our first choice in the crowded econo-sedan market, but that doesn’t mean people won’t keep buying the things.
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