- Freshened 2011 Toyota Corolla debuts at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.
- The 2011 Corolla hits showrooms in December.
- Pricing has not yet been announced.
TORRANCE, California — A mildly restyled — and more austere — 2011 Toyota Corolla debuts at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. The sport-themed and thirstier Corolla XRS model with the bigger engine is gone for the new model year.
The 2011 Corolla hits showrooms in December. Pricing has not yet been announced.
The 2011 Corolla gets new front and rear exterior styling, some interior updates, Toyota Care complimentary maintenance plan, standard Smart-Stop Technology and two new colors, said the automaker.
Just three trim levels are available: base, LE and S, along with just one engine choice, a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder. The 2010 Corolla was offered with the optional 158-hp 2.4-liter engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2011 model is paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota spokesman Sam Butto said, "XRS is no more," when contacted by Inside Line on Tuesday. "The XRS grade has been discontinued. In fact, we reduced the number of grades from five to three to better meet the demand of our customers."
He added that the decision to kill the XRS grade was "based on [customer] feedback." Buyers paid a penalty in fuel economy. The EPA said the Corolla with the larger 2.4-liter engine and five-speed automatic transmission returns 22 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway. The 1.8-liter engine linked to the five-speed automatic transmission in the 2010 Corolla returns 26 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway.
The Toyota Corolla underwent a complete redesign in 2009. The midcycle update for 2011 was "created with input from styling studios in Turin, Italy," said Toyota in a statement. The intent was a sportier profile, it said. The cabin gets a new seat color and pattern, along with a new steering wheel on the Corolla S. The 2011 Corolla S also has new 16-inch alloy wheels, multi-reflector halogen headlamps with black housing, color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers, sport side rocker panels, a unique S badge and rear mud guards; color-keyed rear spoiler, integrated foglamps, front sport seats and a chrome-tipped exhaust.
Inside Line says: The Corolla gets a new look and a pared-down lineup for the Age of Austerity. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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johncombs2185 says:
01:01 AM, 06/16/2011
Sounds like the Corolla 2011 is way better than that of others. It is suppose to be anyway. And perhaps it needed to add up in terms of styling. It doesn't only have to have more advancement in terms of performance now, but also in styling. And one more thing about it, Toyota Corolla parts are now way ahead and it should compliment the 2011.
2010ms3 says:
05:27 PM, 02/13/2011
Coming soon for 2012, a 3 speed automatic and 1.6L engine option making 100hp.
"Here at Toyota we take our customer comments very seriously. Why, just yesterday, I got an email from Doris, a retired elementary teacher, asking if we had fixed our sudden acceleration problem. In addition to our engine cut-off system, we're now providing our customers with even more additional safety. We've dropped the power down a tad and removed an unnecessary 4th gear from our automatics, you could practically jump in front of one of our cars and not get hurt, that's how safe they are now.
In addition to these safety upgrades, we have also restyled the interior and changed some options. We recognize that CD and MP3 technology is on its way out, so we have decided to outfit each corolla with the latest in tape-deck technology. Our customers have often complained that they were unable to enjoy their vast collection of tape music while they're driving sedately on a Sunday morning, they should be pleased to hear that this is no longer the case. Some customers have also expressed concern that the interior of their Corolla was too 'expensive-looking' and could attract thieves. So we have designed all-new interiors with less grain, less shine and more austerity. The 3-dial HVAC layout has been changed to a single button, for greater simplicity - when it is pressed, the car will become hot. When the button is not pressed, the car will become cold.
We are sure our customers will be ecstatic and continue to buy our products, clearly recognizing a good value and superior engineering in this segment of the market."
zs1 says:
08:35 PM, 01/24/2011
Though it was never exciting, the original version of the current model was at least consistent in its exterior styling which was clean and modern. The mid-cycle refresh just genericized the Corolla into complete oblivion. Toyota re-designers seem to have a fetish with changing the lights and adding brightwork - they did the same with the last model of the Sienna - problem is, the lights are usually the central focus of any original design and you can't just restyle them without breaking up the whole.
hondalvr4life says:
09:21 PM, 11/21/2010
@ n2guru
OR I could just buy a 2011 Honda Civic with has even better reliability and resale value than this POS Corolla. Not to mention its better put together and is actually fun to drive. What is with old people and boring ass cars? Why would you want to drive a car that puts you to sleep?
flwind says:
10:49 AM, 11/20/2010
I thought I was looking at the old Mazda 3 sedan when I looked at the thumbnail. Boring.....
6sptl says:
08:59 AM, 11/20/2010
Why does toyota continue to make the corolla? they gave up on it a long time a go. At this time its probably the worst compact sedan in the market. THey should just give it up
mrhiguy says:
01:38 PM, 11/19/2010
The new XRS trim was a Joke. It's a good thing they dropped it.
n2guru says:
09:59 AM, 11/19/2010
What are all you youngsters complaining about? Toyota is has the best resale and quality than everyone else out there. That smear campaign about Toyota quality was just a conspiracy to bring the #1 automaker in the world! Toyota is still the best than the rest! I love the new Corolla, it's comfortable and stylish like a classic suit in my wardrobe. So go drive the others and if you get stuck on the side of the road, guess who'll be pulling up in this nice Corolla to help you? Well, an upstanding citizen like myself, who happens to be a police volunteer. Happy cruising and cheers!
fushigi says:
06:07 AM, 11/19/2010
So compared to Elantra, Cruze, etc. it's down on fuel economy, down on engine power, down on warranty, down on styling, etc. I'm sure it will sell to the Toyota faithful but unless Toyota can compete on price, anyone doing an honest evaluation of the segment will run, not walk, away from their local Toyota dealer.
wikiwiki says:
08:50 PM, 11/18/2010
I'd take a Civic or Impreza over this any day of the week. Or the new Elantra or Forte.