Corolla's cool but could be better equipped

Mark Rechtin
Automotive News
December 24, 2007 - 12:01 am ET

DURHAM, N.C. - Toyota needed an extra year to redesign the Corolla because
too many engineers were tied up on other projects. The long wait for the new
Corolla raised expectations. But while some of the changes are impressive,
the effect of cost cutting is apparent in several key places.

The redesigned 2009 Corolla goes on sale in February, and it's no ordinary
debut. This is, after all, the No. 3 selling car in the land when paired
with its five-door variant, the Matrix.

The Corolla/Matrix, now in their sixth year on the market, outsell the Ford
Focus, Chevrolet Cobalt and all their variants combined.

In 2006, Corolla/Matrix sales rose 13.5 percent to 387,388. Through November
of this year, sales are running 4.2 percent behind 2006. Loyalty is strong.
One out of every three buyers replaces a Corolla with another one.

The basics: The wheelbase and length are about the same as the old Corolla,
but U.S. product planners managed to get 2.4 inches more width for the new
edition. That's a big deal, since Japan typically has the final say. In the
past, home market width regulations have constricted the car's girth.

Designing a much wider Corolla for a foreign market means Toyota no longer
is building a world car with slight regional variations. A different width
means different assembly procedures for the North American version.
Notable features: U.S. buyers will have a choice of two engines: a 1.8-liter
with a four-speed automatic for better fuel economy and a 2.4-liter with a
five-speed automatic for more performance. A five-speed stick shift will
still be available with both engines.

The base Corolla features 15-inch wheels, a trip computer, air conditioning,
a purse hook, intermittent wipers, daytime running lights, remote keyless
locks, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, upper and lower glove boxes and a
four-speaker CD audio system with iPod jack.

All versions have six airbags, antilock brakes, brake assist, traction
control and a vehicle stability control system that can be deactivated.

More power, space

                   2009 Corolla    2008 Corolla
Wheelbase   102.4 in.           102.4 in.
Length          178.7 in.           178.3 in.
Width           69.3 in.             66.9 in.
Height          57.7 in.             58.3 in.
Base engine  1.8-liter I-4      1.8-liter I-4
Horsepower 132@6k rpm   126@6k rpm
Torque lb-ft.128@4.4k rpm 122@4.2k rpm
Opt. engine   2.4l 158 hp      n/a
Curb weight  2,723 lbs.        2,530 lbs.
Base price    TBA                $15,065*
On sale        February          Now
*Includes shipping

What Toyota says: "This required a complete departure from the traditional
and convervative influence of the Japan domestic market, the previously
sacred ground, to a style that was youthful and sporty and far more
European," Shinichi Yasui, Corolla's chief engineer, said at the media
introduction here. "We focused on specific top-class aspects from each
region from the beginning."

Compromises and shortcomings: The standard rear drum brakes, base four-speed
automatic transmission and Stone Age rear suspension are all cost-cutting
casualties when compared to the better-equipped Honda Civic and Mazda3. To
get uprated parts on the Corolla, a shopper must get the top trim level. The
car gained nearly 200 pounds in the redesign.

The market: Toyota hopes the new Corolla and Matrix will sell about 360,000
units next year as sales ramp up, with the Corolla taking about 80 percent
of the total. The company expects to reach 380,000 to 390,000 in 2009 and
beyond.

Nearly 25 percent of Corolla buyers are over 60 years old. With the 2009's
styling, Toyota aims to capture more youth buyers.

The skinny: That new styling indeed may attract younger buyers, but the 2009
Corolla still is more conservative than the Civic and Mazda3. And young
buyers compare specification charts. They'll see where the Corolla comes up
short. It seems Toyota's value and performance camps were at war in creating
this car.