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Toyota designers focused much attention on reducing wind noise, a top demand for customers in all segments today. The A-pillar is specially profiled for this purpose. The windshield is made from acoustic glass and the window frame structure is designed to reduce vibration of side glass. The new windshield molding, wiper blade covers and shape of the cowl air intake louvers are all designed to minimize noise. Windshield washer nozzles are partially shielded by the rear edge of the hood, instead of atop the hood or cowling. Inside, the carpeting is designed to better absorb noise.

Interior Design

The Corolla maintains similar headroom, legroom and shoulder room of the previous-generation model, but is redesigned to provide improved comfort, usability and storage. The driving position and front seats are tailored to a wider range of driver heights. A standard tilt and telescope steering wheel in all models makes it easy for taller drivers to find a comfortable position.

The doubled-browed instrument panel bezel contains the tachometer, speedometer, engine-coolant temperature gauge and fuel-level gauge. The speedometer contains a digital odometer/trip meter and shift indicator. Toyota's Optitron gauges, which are illuminated with bright white light and red needles, are featured on Corolla XLE and XRS. Gauges in the other models have red needles illuminated with amber light.

In addition to the basic three-spoke wheel, there are two available steering wheel types - a three-spoke leather-trimmed wheel with audio switches, and that same wheel with both audio and cruise control switches. Bluetooth and voice-recognition switches are also available. The air-conditioning system features a pollen filter.

A multi-information display, featured on XRS and XLE models, presents a variety of information, including current fuel mileage; clock; outside temperature gauge; average fuel mileage and fuel consumption gauges; current driving range; average speed; and elapsed time.

The rear bench seat offers space and comfort for three adults. Careful attention to exhaust system routing provides a nearly flat rear floor, enhancing comfort for the middle passenger.

A variety of useable, easy-to-reach storage spaces provide convenience and usability inside the Corolla. These include center console side pockets; a storage box above the usual glove box; front and rear door pockets that can safely hold 20-ounce bottles; a console box with a large-capacity main tray and a smaller accessory tray; an overhead console useful for storage of sunglasses or garage-door openers; and a rear-seat center armrest with an integral drink holder.

Three interior color schemes are available: Ash, Dark Charcoal and Bisque. The Bisque is paired with Ash Brown trim. Seat fabric varies by model grade. A leather-trim interior is available on the S and XRS grades.

Performance and Efficiency

The 2010 Corolla is offered with a choice of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, a 1.8-liter that was new for 2009 and a 2.4-liter that was re-engineered for the new-generation Corolla.

The Corolla XRS exclusively features the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 158 hp at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. A balance shaft suppresses vibration, and oil jets help piston cooling. The exhaust system is engineered for reduced backpressure and improved performance.

The 2.4-liter engine transmits power through the five-speed manual transmission and is available with a five-speed automatic. Like the four-speed automatic paired with the 1.8-liter engine, the five-speed uses a torque converter with flex lockup for increased fuel efficiency, as well as uphill/downhill shift control. The five-speed automatic can be manually shifted by moving the shift lever to the left from its "D" position into the "S" position, then pushing forward for upshifts and back for downshifts. An indicator inside the combination gauge shows the gear selected.

Handling and Ride

The Corolla is built around a stiff body structure that relies on high tensile-strength steel, gussets and crossmembers for its strength, rigidity and lightweight construction. Front suspension is by compact, rigid L-arm-type MacPherson strut with a stabilizer bar. The Corolla XRS is equipped with a front sport strut tower brace, as well. The Corolla's torsion beam rear suspension employs a coil-over-shock arrangement that allows efficient packaging along with secure handling and outstanding ride comfort.

Brakes consist of 10.8-inch vented discs up front for all models, with 10.2-inch solid rear discs on XRS. An electric power-assist steering system uses a compact motor, speed reducer and torque sensor built into the steering column. The system varies the amount of assistance according to engine rpm and vehicle speed. The result is appropriate weight and responsiveness at higher speeds, and light effort at low speeds. Electric power steering reduces parasitic losses to the engine, thereby aiding fuel economy. It is also environmentally efficient, because it does not require hydraulic oil. Additionally, a direct tire pressure monitor system comes standard on every Corolla grade.

Safety

The Corolla is engineered to absorb and disperse impact energy throughout the entire body structure. Strengthened door beltline reinforcements help share the impact load, which in side impacts is also directed to the underbody. The 2010 Corolla design addresses the issue of collisions between compact and full-size cars

As part of the Toyota Star Safety System, VSC automatically adjusts engine output and the vehicles braking force at individual wheels to help control any discrepancy between where the driver is steering and where the vehicle is heading.

All Corolla models are equipped with standard advanced frontal airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, plus front and rear curtain side airbags. The roll-sensing side curtain airbags can detect a potential rollover and signal the VSC system to help reduce a lateral skid. Seatbelt pretensioners cinch the seat belt at the time of a frontal collision, and the dual-stage force limiter helps limit the seat belt force applied to the chest of the passenger. Front seats integrate active headrests. If the vehicle is struck from the rear with sufficient force, a cable-actuated mechanism in the active headrest moves the headrest upward and forward to help limit the movement of the occupant's head.

Comfort and Convenience

The 2010 Corolla upholds a 40-plus year heritage for providing outstanding value in standard equipment. The Corolla grade features P195/65 R15 tires; a heavy duty rear window defogger; satellite radio-capable AM/FM/CD audio with four speakers; air conditioning with air filter; driver and front passenger airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags; intermittent windshield wipers; two 12-volt power outlets; daytime running lights; black manual folding power mirrors; tilt and telescopic steering wheel; 60/40 split folding rear seats; and much more.

The Corolla LE grade adds power windows with driver-side one-touch-down power door locks and color-keyed manual-folding power mirrors. In addition to features on the LE grade, the XLE grade adds P205/55 R16 tires with full wheel covers; variable intermittent wipers; remote keyless entry; Optitron gauges; center console with sliding armrests; wood grain trim; and driver and passenger rear-seat pockets.

The sporty Corolla S grade builds on the Standard grade, adding 205/55 R16 tires with full wheel covers; color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers; fog lamps; front sport seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; black headlamp housing; chrome exhaust tip; and AM/FM/CD satellite capable audio with six speakers.

At the top of the 2010 Corolla line, the 2.4-powered XRS grade features a rear deck spoiler; alloy wheels with 215/45 R17 tires; sport strut tower brace; XRS scuff plate; leather-trimmed shift lever and knob; cruise control; and interior chrome accent.

Options

Options available on the Corolla grade include cruise control; AM/FM/six-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability; satellite radio (subscription required) and six speakers; and an All Weather Guard package. The LE grade also offers 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry and a tilt and slide moonroof.

In the XLE, the customer can add a tilt and slide moonroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/55 R16 tires; plus a JBL audio system with AM/FM/six-disc CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability, XM satellite radio capability and eight speakers. All audio systems have an auxiliary audio jack and Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL), which adjusts volume levels according to vehicle speed. An available navigation system for the XLE features a large, easily visible screen.

Options for the S grade include an available Power Package, Sport Package, and leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel and shift knob. The XRS can be equipped with the S option packages, as well as the JBL Audio with XM satellite radio and navigation system.

Toyota Corolla XRS: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications