It has been six years since Toyota last redesigned the Corolla, and the world has changed a lot, with ever more cars entering the compact category. But if you were looking for a radical departure in styling and driving dynamics from the new Corolla, you'll be disappointed. The new Corolla remains a sensible-shoes sedan that does most everything well but nothing extraordinarily. There's a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine on board as standard equipment, available with either a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. An XRS sport version comes with a 158 horsepower, 2.4-liter four, which is available with a five-speed automatic. Prices start at less than $16,000. EPA ratings are 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway for the 1.8-liter engine. The 2.4-liter is rated at 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway.
