CD Article: 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS

[trucknut]

OK... I have one of the new 09 XRS 5spd standards... for those that think they are not sporty enough I invite you to go for a rip through one of the many winding country roads here, the thing handles like its on rails!!! For those that say it is underpowered.. um, yah... it will get going VERY quickly, and with all that torque you can pull in just about any gear from very slow speeds, I have yet to be left wanting for more power, stop looking at the specs and actually take one for a drive, it feels like a lot more the 158 hp! As far as the looks go, well the crowds that gather around almost everytime I park it can't be wrong, this thing turns heads! And when it comes to the interior, seats are comfy, everything looks nice (except for the clock position and power mirror controls, WTF! Toyota!!). I do agree it could use a 6th gear, revs at 2800rpm @ 100 km/h, and a sportier sounding muffler wouldn't hurt either as its whisper quiet. Anyone shopping for a sport compact don't sell the XRS short, and don't forget about Toyota's rock solid reliability as well!!

[IceAndFire]

I'll second that trucknut.  I have a 09 XRS auto and even I was starting to get down on reading the reviews till I took the car out for a proper drive and yeah its like its riding on rails.  Cornering is no problem, I can't feel any body roll, the suspension is tight and hugs the road, and when you put your foot down it goes with no complaints.  I'm sure there are better vehicles for sporty handling but given the price and the competition its absolutely solid. I actually enjoy the whisper quietness of the muffler as it doesn't attract the wrong kind of attention.  It gets from point A to point B and it does it with some fun and allot of confidence.  Had a bunch of people looking at my car on the weekend and couldn't believe it was a Corolla.  A few even volunteered that seeing my car made them interested in having a serious look at one.  This is in the younger demographic where Toyota is trying to get some attention.  They've got it

The clock I agree is the biggest annoyance (Toyota decided that the clock would essentially be driver only and it comes up in the display under the tach).

[johngenx]

Having now logged about 4000km on our 2009 CE, I can't comment on the XRS suspension, but I can on the CE's set-up...

1. The cornering is very flat with excellent body control.  I have pushed the car to the limits of adhesion a few times just for the heck of it, and the body roll control is very good.

2. There is a slight amount of bump-steer thanks to the slight miss of the bound-rebound equation and the beam axle in the rear.  Only noticable if you're really pushing the car on a washboard road, but it is there.  I am spoiled by the superb five-link MB rear suspension.  But, more than 2x the price...

3. The tires on the CE are the main culprit when it comes to the lack of character.  Compared to others in the category, the 195/65-15's are skinny and higher profile, and the low speed rating has mushy sidewalls.  The suspension on the CE is not bad, but you can really feel the tires squirm when you begin pushing the car.  However, given the car's mission/demographic, the tire choice is appropriate.  The size has MANY tires to choose from, and I think that keeping the same size and going to an H-rated tire would be a better compromise of ride quality, economy and handling for myself.

4. The FWD platform understeers, like most.  The car could do with a bit less front sway-bar (or more rear), but were I a Toyota designer, I would have gone with the way it is now, thanks to the average Corolla driver's ability level.

As an aside, the longer brake pedal (break peddle?  ) travel is GREAT for hustling this car along, as you can modulate the brakes precisely during trail-braking so well that the car's transition is superb.  The loss of the grabby binders is a major help to the overall driving exprience of this car compared to the 08.