2011 Toyota Corolla Review and Prices

Styling: Any styling changes to the 2011 Toyota Corolla would be relatively minor, running to a subtly revamped grille, reshaped front fascia, and perhaps new taillamp lenses. This five-passenger four-door’s basic shape and conservative proportions would be unaltered from those introduced when this tenth-generation Corolla bowed as a 2009 model. The 2011 Corolla will remain blandness in the service of broad appeal. That’s no mean achievement, actually. Corolla is consistently among America’s top-selling cars. Neither is Toyota apt to alter the five-model lineup that helps make it so successful. The best value should continue to be the 2011 Toyota Corolla LE. It’s one step up from the base model and accounts for more than half of Corolla sales. The base 2011 Corolla will save you a few bucks at the sacrifice of a few amenities. The “sporty” 2011 Corolla S shapes up as a sensible advance over the LE. But the “luxury” 2011 Corolla XLE is unlikely to attract large numbers of upscale shoppers. And even with more power for 2011, the top-of-the-line “performance” XRS won’t tempt MazdaSpeed 3 or Volkswagen Jetta GLI buyers.

Mechanical: All 2011 Toyota Corollas will come with updates to software and hardware associated with Toyota’s response to the sudden-acceleration recalls. Beyond that, the only mechanical change of note would be a new engine for the 2011 Corolla XRS. All Corollas have four-cylinder engines. The 2011 Toyota Corolla XRS is positioned to replace a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter with a 2.5-liter likely rated at 169 horsepower. Other 2011 Corollas should continue with a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four. Both engines will again be available with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. The automatic in 2011 XRS models is likely to remains a class-competitive five-speed, but the automatic used in other Corollas probably will again be a less-efficient -- and less-expensive -- four-speed. Toyota could decide the added mileage benefits of a five-speed automatic might be worth considering for all 2011 Corollas. It won’t, however, offer a hybrid Corolla during this design generation. Toyota relies on Prius and the Camry Hybrid to fly its green-car flag. If you want a station-wagon version of the Corolla, though, walk across the showroom to the 2011 Toyota Matrix. It’s a Corolla underneath its high-roof, four-door wagon body, and it’s available with all-wheel drive. The 2011 Toyota Corolla will retain front-wheel drive, which places the weight of the engine over the drive wheels for good wet-surface traction and concentrates powertrain components in the front for efficient packaging.

Features: Every 2011 Toyota Corolla will continue with a credible array of standard safety features, including torso-protecting front-side airbags and head-protecting side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes and antiskid and traction control are also on duty. Air conditioning, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, and split-folding rear seatback are included even on the base model. Toyota reserves such niceties as power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, cruise control, and power sunroof for upper-line models, either as standard features or options. The 2011 Corolla S and XRS should again be eligible for optional leather upholstery, while the 2011 Corolla XLE and XRS are likely to continue as the only models available with a navigation system. Toyota might rethink some of this equipment availability if it thinks that’ll increase 2011 Corolla sales. All Corollas are available with an auxiliary audio jack, but the addition of a USB port for iPods and the is long overdue and one way Toyota ought to enhance the 2011 Corolla.