On the safety front, ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist are standard across the lineup. However, the XRS is the only one to include four-wheel disc brakes; the others have to make do with classic, rear drum brakes. Likewise, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is basic stuff with the XRS model yet not even optional with all the other Corollas. Offering this potentially life-saving feature as part of the standard equipment would really make the Corolla a complete car in its class.
Functional interior
Inside, the layout has been carefully executed to offer even more functionality, a modern audio unit with MP3/WMA and satellite radio compatibility, an auxiliary input jack and numerous compartments, including door-integrated storage bins with specially-molded bottle receptacles. At the bottom of these bins is a drain hole to allow spills to flow out of the car. Clever, isn't it?
The dashboard is pleasantly styled and the center stack gracefully flows downward. The overall design is clean, purposeful and attractive. The controls are where you expect them to be; manipulating them is really easy and intuitive. The lone exception might be the engine start button -- a trendy, retro-inspired function -- which requires some getting used to. Much to my satisfaction, I found out that there were two glove boxes.
On the road
The introduction of the 2009 Corolla to Canadian auto journalists was made in October under full secrecy. What I mean is we were only allowed to do a few laps on a closed track next to TMMC. Toyota even forbade us to report our driving impressions... until today.
Let's start with the CE, LE and S models. The 1.8L engine/5-speed manual combo delivers decent performances. The powerplant is quiet and flexible, the shifts are smooth and the braking maneuvers, adequate. In tight cornering, though, the 15-inch tires of the base CE model let you know of their displeasure by grinding and screeching. As expected, the 16-inch tires of the LE and S models, not to mention the 17-inch units of the XRS, offered better road-holding and braking capacities. Speaking of braking, the rear disc brakes of the Corolla XRS are vividly felt through the brake pedal and the resulting decelerations are markedly quicker. Also, I noticed that the models equipped with 15-inch tires were a bit more affected by crosswinds.
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| The interior has been updated, too. |
Functional interior
Inside, the layout has been carefully executed to offer even more functionality, a modern audio unit with MP3/WMA and satellite radio compatibility, an auxiliary input jack and numerous compartments, including door-integrated storage bins with specially-molded bottle receptacles. At the bottom of these bins is a drain hole to allow spills to flow out of the car. Clever, isn't it?
The dashboard is pleasantly styled and the center stack gracefully flows downward. The overall design is clean, purposeful and attractive. The controls are where you expect them to be; manipulating them is really easy and intuitive. The lone exception might be the engine start button -- a trendy, retro-inspired function -- which requires some getting used to. Much to my satisfaction, I found out that there were two glove boxes.
On the road
The introduction of the 2009 Corolla to Canadian auto journalists was made in October under full secrecy. What I mean is we were only allowed to do a few laps on a closed track next to TMMC. Toyota even forbade us to report our driving impressions... until today.
Let's start with the CE, LE and S models. The 1.8L engine/5-speed manual combo delivers decent performances. The powerplant is quiet and flexible, the shifts are smooth and the braking maneuvers, adequate. In tight cornering, though, the 15-inch tires of the base CE model let you know of their displeasure by grinding and screeching. As expected, the 16-inch tires of the LE and S models, not to mention the 17-inch units of the XRS, offered better road-holding and braking capacities. Speaking of braking, the rear disc brakes of the Corolla XRS are vividly felt through the brake pedal and the resulting decelerations are markedly quicker. Also, I noticed that the models equipped with 15-inch tires were a bit more affected by crosswinds.
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| Once again, the Corolla should prove to be one of the most popular compacts out there. |