2009 Toyota Corolla Trims and Specs

The 2009 Toyota Corolla Base is the least expensive and least equipped trim of this economy compact sedan, but that's why it remains affordable. Powered by a 1.8-liter, DOHC I4 engine, it delivers 132-hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque and can be matched with a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. Fuel economy ranks high, at 27/35 mpg. 15-inch wheels are standard. New for 2009 are standard ABS brakes and a tire monitor. Dual front and side curtain airbags for both rows and active head restraints are also standard. Traction and stability control can be added.

Rear seats split-fold 60/40 and open onto a 12.3 cubic foot trunk. There are also storage pockets in the doors, flip-down rear armrest, and in an overhead console. Air conditioning, tilt steering, a CD/MP3 player, temperature gauge, and 6-way manual driver's seat are all standard. Satellite radio can be added, and an LE package is optional, upgrading the 2009 Corolla Base with cruise control, a 6-CD changer, and power windows, locks, and mirrors.

Sporty in name and appearance only, the 2009 Toyota Corolla S gets much of the same body kit as the XRS, but not the same engine. It shares the 1.8-liter, 132-hp DOHC I4 with the more standard trims. However, the S gets a 5-speed automatic in addition to the 5-speed manual transmission. Torque is around 128 ft-lbs and fuel economy measures 27/35 mpg. The 2009 Corolla S also rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and adds sporting elements such as front and rear underside spoilers, rocker moldings, foglights, black headlamp housing, chrome exhaust tip, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Sport seats keep front passengers snug, though significant understeer and front-wheel drive doesn't really let you enjoy taking the curves.

Dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows are standard, along with ABS brakes. Traction and stability control cost extra. A tire monitor is newly standard this year. Air conditioning, a 6-speaker CD/MP3 system that's satellite-ready, tilt and telescopic steering, remote entry, and a full power setup are all part of the 2009 Corolla S package. In addition to optional cruise control, navigation system, sunroof, and an upgraded JBL sound system, you can get leather upholstery for the S. As with all trims, rear seats split-fold onto a 12.3 cubic foot trunk.

A new 1.8-liter DOHC I4 engine in the 2009 Toyota Corolla LE delivers 132-hp and 128 ft-lbs of torque. There are two transmission choices -- a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The new mid-level trim designation for the best-selling compact of all time adds power windows, locks, and mirrors and body-colored exterior mirrors to the equipment package, along with a CD/MP3 player with satellite radio. Other standard features include tilt and telescopic steering, air conditioning, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats.

The 15-inch steel wheels can be replaced with optional 16-inch alloy ones on the 2009 Corolla LE, and traction and stability control are also available. Already standard are ABS brakes, a tire monitor, and dual front and side curtain airbags for both rows. The trunk is spacious for a compact, holding 12.3 cubic feet. Remote entry is an additional option available to the 2009 Corolla LE, along with cruise control, heated mirrors, and a 6-CD changer.

As luxurious as it gets for this compact economy sedan, the 2009 Toyota Corolla XLE steps up from the LE by adding standard wood trim and electroluminescent gauges, variable intermittent wipers, and a center console with a sliding lid. Remote entry joins the list of power features (windows, locks, and mirrors), and wheel size grows to 16 inches. Other standard equipment includes a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, air conditioning, and a CD/MP3 player with audio input jack.

Under the hood of the front-wheel drive 2009 Corolla XLE sits a 1.8-liter, 132-hp DOHC I4 that gets 128 ft-lbs of torque and is paired with either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. ABS brakes join the safety features this year, which also include dual front airbags, side curtain airbags for both rows, active head restraints, and a tire monitor. Though rear legroom is tight, front headroom is generous, and the trunk holds 12.3 cubic feet of cargo. Rear seats split-fold 60/40. More options come with the 2009 Corolla XLE, such as an eight-speaker JBL sound system (but not if you get the navigation system). Also available are traction and stability control, a sunroof, and alloy wheels.

A more powerful engine drives the 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS, the performance-oriented version of the front-wheel drive compact sedan. Not quite the road-burner, the 2009 Corolla XRS features a 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC I4 that puts out 158-hp and 162 ft-lbs of torque. It comes standard with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed sequential shift automatic. The extra power decreases fuel economy to around 22/30 mpg. Front and rear underbody spoilers are joined by a rear decklid spoiler, and scuff plates are added when you get the XRS. Rocker moldings, chrome exhaust, and black headlamp housing are also standard.

The 2009 Corolla XRS adds larger 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, electroluminescent gauges, chrome accents, and a leather-topped shifter join the leather-wrapped steering wheel and sport seats. Another upgrade in the XRS is standard cruise control. It is also the only trim that comes with traction and stability control and 4-wheel disc brakes. Other safety features include 4-wheel ABS brakes, dual front and side curtain airbags for both rows, active head restraints, a tire monitor, and foglights. Air conditioning, full power features, variable intermittent wipers, a CD/MP3 player and satellite radio, remote entry, and tilt and telescopic steering are also standard.

Extras include leather seats, heated mirrors, a sunroof, a touchscreen navigation system, and upgraded JBL sound system (though the latter two cannot be had together).