2010 Toyota Corolla Review and Prices

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA REVIEW AND PRICES

by Chuck Giametta

Table of Contents
2010 Toyota Corolla Review and Prices
2011 Toyota Corolla Review and Prices
2010 Toyota Buying Guide
2010 Compact Car Buying Guide
2009 Toyota Corolla Quote

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA: PRO and CON

Pros:

• Take-it-to-the-bank reputation for reliability and resale value

• Fuel economy – the least-efficient version is rated at 29 miles per gallon on the highway  

• A no-surprises formula of just-enough power, benign road manners, and a comfortable interior

Cons:

• Subpar handling, slow steering. The sporty XRS model is better, but not by much  

• Stingy rear seat head room

• Basic conveniences like power windows and locks and remote keyless entry are not standard on all models   

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA BUYING ADVICE

• The 2010 Toyota Corolla is the best car for you if you want a small sedan that’s really a transportation appliance.

• The Corolla LE model -- the second rung on Corolla’s five-model ladder -- presents the smartest blend of features and price. Indeed, it’s the best-selling version of this popular compact sedan.

• The top-of the line XRS is positioned as the fun-to-drive Corolla, but it can’t hold a candle to the Honda Civic Si or Volkswagen Jetta GLI. And neither the “sporty” Corolla S model nor the “upscale” Corolla XLE lives up to its billing in terms of content or value.

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA CHANGES

• Styling: Corolla was all new for the 2009 model year, so its looks don’t change for 2010. In fact, except for being about two inches wider, today’s model isn’t much different in size or appearance from the 2003-2008 generation. With the next full redesign due for model-year 2014, this means the 2010 Corolla won’t look dated as the years pass. It also means Corolla doesn’t look as modern as some rivals, such as the Honda Civic or Mazda 3.

• Mechanical: Corolla’s powertrains are unchanged for 2010, with the XRS retaining a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and other Corollas a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four. Both engines are available with a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.8-liter is saddled with a four-speed automatic in a day when most rivals offer a more-efficient five-speed. Corolla isn’t available as a gas-electric hybrid, like the Civic; Toyota’s compact hybrid is the Prius. All Corollas have front-wheel drive. You can get all-wheel drive in the 2010 Toyota Matrix, essentially a compact wagon version of the Corolla.  

• Features: Vehicle Stability Control and traction control have been made standard on every 2010 Toyota Corolla. Also known as an antiskid system, stability control is designed to prevent sideways slides. Traction control aids grip away from stops and is useful on wet surfaces. These significant safety features had been standard only on the Corolla XRS and were a $250 option on the other models.

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA PRICES

• Prices for the 2010 Toyota Corolla start at $16,070 for the base model with manual transmission, $16,1870 with automatic (all prices listed in this report include Toyota’s mandatory $720 destination fee).  Base price for the 2010 Corolla LE model is $17,470; it comes only with automatic transmission and includes power windows and locks.

• S versions start at $17,140 with manual transmission, $17,970 with automatic. Included among S-model standard features are fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, but not power windows. The 2010 Corolla XLE starts at $18,370 and comes with automatic transmission and power windows, the leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and variable-intermittent wipers.

• The top-line XRS model builds on the XLE with the 2.4-liter engine, plus antilock four-wheel disc brakes, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Its base price is $19,580 with manual transmission and $20,770 with a five-speed automatic.

• Leather upholstery is optional on the S model ($1,550) and on the LRS ($1,490), and a power sunroof is an $890 option available on all but the base Corolla. The XLE and XRS are the only versions available with a navigation system ($1,300). Bluetooth phone connectivity is available on S, XLE, and XRS models as part of a $1,060 JBL-brand audio upgrade. An MP3-compatable audio jack is offered but not a USB link for iPods and the like.      

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA TEST DRIVE

From behind the wheel:

• It’s not fair to say the Corolla is for people who don’t like to drive, but it does suit people who don’t drive to have fun. There’s nothing wrong with that, which is why this is consistently among the best-selling cars in America.

• Acceleration with the 1.8-liter engine is adequate, but highway-speed response is leisurely, so plan your passes accordingly. You’ll feel the extra power of the XRS’s larger engine, though only when equipped with manual transmission does the XRS begin to approximate the sporty character Toyota aims for; even then, the shifter’s long throws undermine any performance-car feel.

• With good response to steering inputs and reasonable grip and balance in corners, the XRS delivers handling that should be the starting point for all Corollas. Alas, the other models are let down by soft suspension settings and modest tires. They tend to drift through sharp turns and seem to postpone for a moment orders from the steering wheel to change direction. Corolla’s tight turning radius is an ally in close quarters, and great brake-pedal feel is a pleasant surprise.

Dashboard and controls:

• Simplicity is a virtue. Corolla’s gauges are arrayed without pretension and have distinct numbers and needles. Column stalks for windshield wipers, turn signals, and cruise control can be activated merely without removing a hand from the steering wheel, which is itself a straightforward three-spoke affair.

• Audio and climate controls are large and marked so their function holds no mystery. They reside in a central dashboard column that’s not canted toward the driver, sending the message that the front seat of a Corolla is equally the passenger’s domain.

• Simplicity is relative when it comes to navigation systems, though Corolla’s requires only a few run-throughs to master. That’s due to intuitive design and also because this navigation system is less complicated than most; there’s no voice-recognition feature, for example.      

Room, comfort, and utility:

• Corolla’s steering wheel tilts and telescopes, and combines with the height-adjustable driver’s seat for set-and-forget positioning. Front-seat occupants won’t feel cramped, though drivers with long legs might wish for more rearward seat travel. Most drivers will desire more lumbar bolstering – there’s no adjustment. While front-seat padding is pleasantly dense, only the seatbacks on the S and XRS models are shaped to provide much lateral support in fast corners.

• There’s plenty of room for rear-passengers’ feet and legs as long as the front seats aren’t too far rearward. But if you’re taller than 5-8 or so, your noggin will brush the headliner. And a firmer rear seat cushion would improve comfort on long trips.

• Critics seem to have their knives sharpened when it comes to the quality of materials and workmanship in the Corolla’s interior. Yes, there are lots of unpadded plastic panels, and a few ring hollow to the touch. But the surfaces you come in contact with regularly don’t feel exceptionally low-budget, and every knob and button moves with satisfying smoothness. Interestingly, it’s South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia that have raised the bar on quality of cabin materials, especially for lower-priced cars. Toyota is among the competitors who look to be cutting corners by comparison. But Corolla’s fit and finish is in line with its prices, and certainly not poor enough to be a deal breaker.       

• Most competitors have larger trunks, and intrusive lid hinges cut into Corolla’s cargo volume. But a standard 60/40 split rear seatback folds to expand capacity. Inside, a small center console is augmented by a generously sized double-tiered glove box. Each door has a map pocket, but the shape favors 20-ounce bottles.      

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA FUEL ECONOMY

• EPA fuel economy ratings for the Corolla XRS are 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway with manual transmission, 22/30 with that model’s five-speed automatic transmission. All other Corollas rate 26/34 mpg with both manual and automatic transmission.

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA SAFETY AND RELIABILITY

• Government crash-test ratings award a maximum of five stars for passenger protection. Corolla, like most compact cars, earned four stars for protection in a frontal impact. It got the maximum five stars for front-passenger protection in a side impact and four of five for rear side impact.

• Toyota is ranked among the top five brands in overall quality in ratings compiled by J.D. Power and Associates, the leading automotive consumer survey firm. The Corolla is rated among the best cars in overall quality and better than most in overall dependability.  

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA RELEASE DATE

• The 2010 Corolla goes on sale in late February 2009.

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA COMPETITION

• 2010 Honda Civic: This is Corolla’s arch rival for sales volume and it’s superior for lively design and performance. Civic comes as a four-door sedan and two-door coupe, and also offers a hybrid sedan. The current Civic generation dates from the 2006 model year and Civic’s next full redesign is slated for model-year 2011.

• 2010 Mazda 3: The Gen Y choice for image and driving fun is all-new for 2010 with substantive changes to styling, engine power, and cabin décor. The Mazda 3 available in as a four-door sedan and a cool four-door hatchback.

• 2010 Hyundai Elantra: From the South Korean automaker comes a conservative little car that’s a surprising threat to the Corolla. Packaging, performance, and build quality are virtually a match, and the Elantra delivers even more features for less money and a longer warranty. It’s available as a sedan or wagon. Elantra was all-new for model-year 2007 but won’t be fully redesigned again until model-year 2013 or so.