After a one-year delay, the 2009 Toyota Corolla has finally debuted. The Toyota has a chic drooping snout behind a wide grille. A neat feature is the Toyota logo suspended from the leading edge of the hood; it is matched by an indent in the lower edge of the grille surround.
The 2009 Toyota Corolla is redesigned with more available power, more standard safety features, and fresh styling. This compact sedan is 2.5 inches wider than the 2003-2008 versions, but other exterior and interior dimensions are little changed. Corolla offers five trim levels for 2009 vs. three for 2008.
The 2009 Corolla has five trim levels: standard, LE and XLE, and the sporty accented S and the high performance XRS. The XRS model has a 158-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Manual transmission is standard. The optional automatic transmission is a 5-speed on the XRS and a 4-speed on other Corollas. The XRS includes 17-inch wheels and 4-wheel disc brakes vs. other models’ 15- or 16-inch wheels and rear drum brakes.
Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. A navigation system is a first-time Corolla feature, and it’s optional on all but Base and LE models. Leather upholstery is an option exclusive to S and XRS.
There is a choice of two new engines with three different transmissions. An all-new 1.8-liter 16-valve four doesn’t skimp on technology with variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides. The result is an impressive-for-its-size 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a four-speed automatic optional. The automatic has hill sensing technology which, based on throttle position, vehicle speed and acceleration, determines whether the car is going up or downhill and selects gear ratios accordingly, including shifting down on downhills for moderate engine braking.
The other engine is Toyota’s 2.4-liter four, though completely redesigned for use in the Corolla. It’s rated at 158 horses, but it’s the gain in torque that makes the bigger engine worthwhile. At 162 lb-ft, the extra grunt improves acceleration and around-town drivability. It too comes with a 5-speed manual as standard equipment but the optional automatic is a five rather than four-speed.
