2011 Toyota Corolla: First Look
- Competes with: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus
- Looks like: A prior-generation Mazda6
- Drivetrain: 138-hp, 1.8-liter four cylinder; five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
- Hits dealerships: December 2010
Toyota is facing a slew of new competitors in the compact-car segment. From the just-launched Chevrolet Cruze to the upcoming Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic and Ford Focus, the company’s top-selling Corolla faces challenges to its leadership from all sides. To keep the Corolla competitive, Toyota has updated the car’s exterior looks and added safety features, but it has oddly decided to delete the more powerful powertrain as well as streamline and remove trim offerings.
The current Corolla has been on the market for nearly three years. Since then Toyota has changed its brand’s trademark design cues, many which are now featured on the 2011 Corolla. The Corolla gets a new front bumper, grille, lower intake design, headlights, trunklid, rear bumper and taillamps. Overall, the look is more aggressive than its predecessor.
The S trim adds a front spoiler, rocker panels and a rear spoiler. This is the trim pictured in Toyota’s press materials.
Every 2011 Corolla comes with Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes electronic stability control and traction control. A brake-override system and tire pressure monitoring system were added to the safety suite this year. They weren’t available on the 2010 model.
The 2011 Corolla comes equipped only with a base 132-horsepower four-cylinder with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. We’ve confirmed with Toyota that the high-end 2.4-liter four-cylinder and five-speed automatic transmission are no longer available.
Toyota says fuel economy should come in at an estimated 28/35 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 26/34 mpg city/highway with the automatic. That would be an improvement of 2 mpgs city for the manual transmission and the same mileage for the existing 1.8-liter automatic model.
There aren’t many changes to the inside of the Corolla. The S trim gets a new flat-bottomed steering wheel. There are also new seat colors and patterns available.
The 2011 Corolla will be available in Standard, LE and S trims. The XLE and XRS trims are no more.
Every Corolla comes standard with 15-inch wheels, air conditioning with filtration, daytime running lights, power mirrors and 36 months/36,000 miles free basic maintenance. The LE trim adds power windows and locks, keyless entry, a six-speaker audio system with an MP3 jack, and heated side mirrors. The S trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport trim appearance, sport bucket seats, chrome exhaust, and six- and four-way adjustable front passenger seats.
A moonroof, USB port, satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity are optional. Leather upholstery is no longer an option for the 2011 model year. Toyota has yet to announce pricing on the new Corolla, which will go on sale within the next few weeks.
