Car Auto Magazine

The base Corolla, as well as the LE, XLE, and S models, will come with an all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The new XRS trim level, however, borrows the 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, with 162 pound-feet of torque, from the Scion xB and tC. Manual and automatic transmissions contain five gears, with the automatic including a manual tap-up, tap-down feature, which is a first for a Corolla.

Overall, the 2009 Corolla will offer more standard and optional features, with newfound luxury items thrown in. Unfortunately, from what we’ve seen, the interior takes no quantum leap to upscale materials or design.

With six airbags and ABS standard, plus optional stability control, the Corolla has finally entered this century in regard to safety features.

Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date, which is estimated to be February or March of next year. How it will stack up dynamically next to segment favorites such as the Mazda 3 remains to be seen.