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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Toyota Corolla

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota Corolla

Overview

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2009 Toyota Corolla Review

By KBB.com Editors

The original Toyota Corolla, a small rear-drive subcompact, arrived in the United States in the late 1960s; by the 1970s the second-generation version was the best-selling import in the country and new Corollas have followed every four or five years since. This stylish tenth-generation Corolla arrives for 2009 as slightly longer, lower and wider and with significant engineering improvements. The Corolla has grown over time, both in size and in features, with each generation being better than the one that went before, and the 2009 model certainly maintains that standard. But it's in a market segment with some very tough, excellent competition, from Japan, Korea and the United States, and smart buyers have lots of choices for their automotive dollars. As with many Toyota products, expected strengths of the Corolla should be long-term reliability, great fuel economy, a pleasant ownership experience and excellent resale value.

You'll Like This Car If...

If your vehicular preference is for a modest but fuel-efficient and (presumably) reliable compact sedan from a trusted Japanese brand, this may be an excellent choice.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you want efficiency and practicality combined with a touch more style and driving excitement, you may prefer a somewhat livelier competitor such as Honda's Civic, Nissan's Sentra, Chevrolet's Cobalt or Ford's new Focus. There are also less expensive compacts available, especially from Korean makers Hyundai and Kia.

What's New for 2009

This new Corolla sedan, available in five "grades" from base to sporty and the more powerful XRS, is a better-looking car than the plain-Jane previous generation. It's also quieter and slightly roomier, achieves better fuel economy with its standard 1.8-liter engine and offers better performance and handling in 2.4-liter XRS trim.

Driving the Corolla

Driving Impressions We found the lesser Corolla models to be perfectly acceptable if not outstanding. Their performance is adequate with the five-speed manual, less so with the automatic. Their brakes are strong...

and fade-free, their ride is good and their handling better than previous Corollas but not up to some of the best of the competition. We would prefer more feel than is transmitted through the electric power steering, and a higher level of interior materials. The top-of-the-line XRS has much more in the way of sporty looks, handling dynamics and get-up-and-go performance. With larger tires and wheels, structural enhancements and more tightly-tuned steering, it gets around corners more smartly without much sacrifice in ride and will accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in just less than nine seconds. It's sprightly, but not as quick as some of the higher-performing small cars, such as the Honda Civic Si or Chevrolet Cobalt SS.

Favorite Features

Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel
This much-appreciated standard feature, rare in this class, helps drivers of all sizes find a comfortable position.

XRS Model
This better-looking, better-performing handling-oriented sport model is the highest-priced and least fuel-efficient Corolla but provides a substantial boost in driving enjoyment over the other four, including the semi-sporty S.

2009 Toyota Corolla Details

Interior

The inside objectives were perceived roominess and improved comfort. The added width provides more shoulder and hip room in front, and leg room is increased a half-inch in front and nearly an inch in back, though front head room is down a half-inch due to the lower roofline. Much emphasis was put on seat comfort for occupants of almost any height, and the steering column tilts and telescopes to optimize driver comfort. The instrument panel offers speedometer, tachometer, fuel and coolant-temperature gauges and an optional multi-information display that offers a clock, outside temperature, fuel economy, range, average speed and elapsed time.

Exterior

The Corolla exterior designers' objectives were a lower, wider, sportier look to compete with Honda's Civic and others in this increasingly popular class, plus increased interior room and improved aerodynamic smoothness for enhanced fuel efficiency and interior quietness. Those objectives were met with a lower roofline with sleeker windshield and rear glass and careful attention to detail, especially at the corners. A trio of character lines run along the door handles to the rear fenders, from the hood to the front pillars and from the front bumpers to the front fender flares, while a low front air intake adds visual width below the Toyota signature mesh grille.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base Corolla comes with 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, power steering, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD (XM satellite-ready) radio, outside temperature gauge, a driver's-seat height adjuster and driver and passenger front, seat-mounted side and side-curtain airbags. The LE adds power windows, locks and color-keyed mirrors; the XLE 16-inch tires and wheels, variable intermittent wipers, a sliding center console with card holder, remote keyless entry and wood-grain trim; and the S has fog lamps, front and rear spoilers, sport seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Only the XRS gets the 2.4-liter engine, rear disc brakes and standard cruise control.

Optional Equipment

The base Corolla's option list offers just cruise control, stability control, a six-disc CD changer and an All-Weather Guard Package (heavy-duty heater, rear heating duct and heated outside mirrors), while the LE adds available remote keyless entry (RKE) and larger tires on 16-inch alloy wheels. XLE buyers can specify JBL audio and navigation, and the S offers an available Power Package (power windows, locks and remote keyless entry) and leather-trimmed seats and shifter. The well-equipped XRS is available with the All-Weather and Power Packages, JBL audio, navigation and leather. All Corollas except the base model are available with the optional moonroof.

Under the Hood

Four of the five 2009 Corolla models offer only the base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine; it's great for reliability and economy, but, as would be expected, only so-so for performance. Driving through a choice of either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, it delivers an excellent 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined EPA-rated miles per gallon. The larger, more powerful 2.4-liter four, with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic, is available in only the sportiest, top-of-the-line Corolla XRS.

1.8-liter in-line 4
132 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
128 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/35

2.4-liter four-cylinder
158 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 (manual), 22/30 (automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Toyota Corolla vehicles for sale near you.

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2009 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 394 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

9.1/10

Performance

8.5/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.7/10

I have to say "I LOVE THIS CAR"! I bought this car

By buda (FL) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fun to drive, great on gas still stylish, roomy"

Cons: "did not get a sun roof"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have to say "I LOVE THIS CAR"! I bought this car a year ago with 19,000 miles on it and have been extremely satisfied with everything about this car. I have a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty on it but do not plan on ever having to use it. the car handles well is great on gas (34 mpg) on the open road can't complain about the mpg in city either. I traded an 07 Toyota 4 runner and don't miss the gas hog a bit! Now instead of putting $100 in the gas tank and driving 2 weeks I put $37 and drive 2 weeks. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to save money."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Not a bad car for around town.

By ArmyRetired (MO) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Looks nice, drives good and takes curves well."

Cons: "No comfort for long distance driving. NO ASHTRAYS"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"The car looks as good as it was new. Comfort from long distance driving is very hard on a persons back. Gas mileage (30 mpg) stinks for as small of a car that it is. I have owned others with much better mileage. It is a nice looking car, but it isn't all the Toyota Dealers lead on that it is."

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Great Car - Great Value

By FirsttimeToyota (VA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 300

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Price - Reliability and Total Package"

Cons: "Comfort of the seats, and storage in the interior."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I spent 6 months comparing this car to the Civic, Mazda3, Elantra and Fusion. This car was at the bottom for KBB.Com's expert reviews compared to those cars. After my review, i found that this car was a much better car with the total package as compared to the other cars."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Not the BEST choice

By Young (CA) on Wednesday, May 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Reliability, comfort, easy to drive, gas mileage"

Cons: "styling, steering, resale value, noises."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I made a review prior to this and it came out positive. After having this car for about 19 weeks, I'm starting to feel doubtful about my purchase. The car does make some noises from the center console because it is assembled by many small plastic materials which squeaks while driving through rigged roads. The car's steering does feel a little loose compared to my old civic but it does the job and react fairly accordingly. When I start the car, the transmission would get stuck at 'Parking' sometimes and I would have to press the brakes again so I can shift it. The gas mileage is great but it can do better. Even mid-sized cars have double the horsepower and almost the same gas mileage which is frankly embarrassing when comparing the corolla's Horsepower and gas mileage. The exterior looks aren't breathtaking and the headlights seem too skinny when looking it directly in front, facing the grille compared to the '09 and '10 versions which had sportier headlights. The body shape kinda looks boxy and suffice to say, "old" but I think it's just an ordinary pedestrian look that I see on so many Toyotas. As for resale value, the corolla does not have hold its value as well as some of the other cars in the segment. When I compare prices with the 2011 model, I noticed that the 2011 elantra, mazda 3, and even the civic all had better residual value because the corolla is notoriously the most popular car sold to rental fleet like Hertz and not as appealing as before. The car hasn't given me any problems since I took it off the lot. I also find the electronics easy to use and convenient like the bluetooth, touchscreen, and hands free radio control. In all honesty, I don't think I made the best choice when I purchased my 2013 corolla LE in January. Adding $700 on the budget to buy a civic lx would have been much more worth it solely due to its better resale value and curb appeal. I think the corolla isn't a bad choice though. It's just not the best choice as it used to be. I would recommend because the car is reliable as stainless steal and you buy it because you need to get from A to B without trouble. Not to mention its low cost of ownership. Other than that, I think there are a few cars that could do better."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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just purchased it. love all of it. Value?

By Mill (FL) on Saturday, May 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "don't know if price was good. Need to know."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Just purchased it. Was at the dealership about 3 hours concerning price. Think I got a good price Just need to know if I overpaid or not. Thanks."

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The best fit and finish of any car I've owned.

By Richard (NV) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Well built, quiet, fit and finish gets a 10."

Cons: "The console is a bit bulky."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I really like this car. It's the quietest car I've owned; better that the three Ford Taurus's we previously owned; and it isn't bugged by nuisance problems, such as buttons falling off, or door panels coming loose. It is comfortable, well equipped and I get a lot better gas mileage than the reviews. I have a light foot and I squeeze every mile out of every drop of gas that I can. It's kind of a challenge to do it. I am currently getting 35 MPG around town and up to 42 MPG on a trip. The MPG readout helps keep me on track and I enjoy seeing those BIG numbers show on the readout. I haven't been on an extended road trip but I think I could pull 480 miles out a tank of gas if I really worked at it."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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See all 394 reviews