2001 Toyota Corolla Toyota Corolla 2001 Toyota Corolla S Sedan Sedan FWD Fremont, CA/Ontario, Canada Mid-grade CE trim replaces entry-level VE, top-line LE replaces mid-grade CE, and a sporty new CE-based S model debuts. Front and rear lighting is restyled, and the fascia up front is tweaked and now includes a chrome-ringed grille. An internal trunk release has been added, along with a push-button fresh/recirculate control for the ventilation system. Two new colors replace an equal number of shades that are fading away. Smooth ride, spunky motor, tight build quality, refined bits and pieces, optional side airbags. Cramped and uncomfortable interior, mushy suspension, non-descript styling, lousy stereo ergonomics. Toyota's venerable Corolla has gone through many changes since it was first introduced in 1968. Over the course of its long life, the Corolla has appeared as a hatchback, coupe, wagon and sedan. The world has seen enough people fall in love with this car to make it the best-selling nameplate in the history of automobiles. Now, while that's neat and all, we're sure that what's really important to you and your wallet is whether this modern Corolla still has what it takes to stomp out its competitors. In short, it doesn't. Dating to 1998, the current Corolla faces stiff competition from the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Protege, and Nissan Sentra, all of which have been substantially redesigned or newly introduced since this particular Toyota was fresh out of the blocks. And they are all more satisfying cars. To help fend them off until the next redesign, the Corolla comes equipped with a zippy, smooth-revving, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder aluminum engine that cranks out 125 horsepower, thanks to a variable valve timing and lift system that Toyota calls VVT-i. VVT-i employs continuously variable intake valve timing to provide greater engine performance, better fuel economy and reduced pollution over a wide rev range. When equipped with a manual transmission, this car pulls strongly. Automatic gearboxes are available too, including a technologically advanced (Not!) three-speed unit on base models. Three trim levels are available on the slightly restyled 2001 Corolla. Base CE, better-equipped LE, and sporty S. The new S model includes "sporty" trim, fog lights, fake leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a tachometer with outside temperature display, among other things. This year, Toyota is also freshening the exterior styling in a bid to draw buyers into showrooms. Changes include a revised front end with chrome-ringed grille, new headlights and taillights, and body-colored trim for LE and S models. Impulse Red and Indigo Ink replace Venetian Red Pearl and Twilight Blue Pearl on the color palette. Inside, a button has been added to control fresh/recirculated airflow, and in the trunk, and an internal release handle keeps kids from getting trapped. Our biggest gripe with the Corolla is minimal legroom for both the driver and passengers, and the horribly uncomfortable seats. Center stack ergonomics also aren't up to standards in the class, and the soft suspension keels over in turns, making the tires howl in pain. But the ride is smooth, the cabin is quiet at speed, side airbags are an unusual option for the class, and the parts used in the car's construction exude quality. Few competitors can match Toyota's run-forever reputation and high levels of build quality. But with lots of better cars competing for slices of the econo-sedan pie, Toyota has its work cut out for it in 2001. Especially since the Chevrolet Prizm, an identical twin of the Corolla, is sold with big, fat, juicy rebates at the Chevy dealer down the street. Dodge Neon Ford Focus Honda Civic Nissan Sentra 336,000 560,000 5Unlimited NA NA NA 4 1.8 liters Inline 125 hp @ 5800 rpm 125 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm 174 in. 66.7 in. 54.5 in. 2405 lbs. 97 in. 39.3 in. 36.9 in. 52.8 in. 52.2 in. 50.5 in. 51.2 in. 42.5 in. 33.2 in. 12.1 cu.ft. Optional Standard Not Available Optional Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Good Rating = Good Average Average Not Tested Not Tested 13.2 gal. 32 mpg / 41 mpg 30 mpg / 39 mpg 422 mi. / 541 mi. 396 mi. / 515 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $11,511 $12,793 7.35% $455 N/A 3% of the Base Invoice CE (5M): 1.8L I4 DOHC MPI 16-valve engine with variable valve timing; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 80 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.72 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine speed-sensing assist; front disc/rear drum brakes; 13.2 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen fully auto headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's manual black outside mirrors; 14" x 5.5" silver styled steel wheels; P175/65SR14 BSW A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; child-safety rear door locks, remote hatch/trunk release, remote fuel door release; 1 power accessory outlet, driver'sfoot rest; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, key in ignition, lights on, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light with delay; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, glove box, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel covered bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor; body-colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding andblack door handles. S (5M) (in addition to or instead of CE (5M) equipment): Body-colored bodyside molding rocker panel extensions; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's manual remote black outside mirrors; P185/65SR14 BSW A/S tires; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers and body-colored door handles. LE (5M) (in addition to or instead of S (5M) equipment): Front license plate bracket, side impact bars; driver's and passenger's power remote black outside mirrors; AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, 4 speakers, fixed antenna; retained accessory power; rear window defroster; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests; additional interior lights include front reading lights; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; carpeted cargo floor and cargo light. -- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic $736 $815 2L Carpet/Cargo Mat Set (5 Piece Set) $82 $132 AB Anti-Lock Brakes $473 $550 AW Wheels: 14" x 5.5" Alluminum Alloy $292 $365 BE Driver & Passenger Side Airbags $215 $250 C1 Cargo Mat $34 $56 C7 Corolla Convenience Package $888 $1,527 CF Carpet Floor Mats $67 $95 CF20 Sunroof Wind Deflector $79 $109 CK All Weather Guard Package $59 $70 CL90 Cruise Control $205 $275 CQ Convenience Package $354 $430 CX10 Rear Aerodynamic Spoiler $295 $395 DA Burlwood Wood Dash-7 Piece $165 $325 DF Heavy Duty Defogger with Timer $164 $205 DU Burlwood Wood Dash-11 Piece $235 $425 DW40 Light Rosewood Dash and Accent $265 $425 DX20 Color Keyed Dual Mirrors $70 $99 EV Radio: AM/FM Stereo with CD $233 $310 EX Radio: Deluxe AM/FM with Cassette $158 $210 GN Cargo Net $30 $45 GP Gold Package $119 $179 LA50 Perforated Leather Sport Seats $695 $1,295 LG30 24K Gold Plated Emblems $140 $199 P4 Auto-Reverse Cassette Deck $155 $220 P5 Compact Disc Deck $235 $335 P6 6 Disc In-Dash CD Changer $414 $589 P9 6 Disc Trunk-Mounted CD Changer $381 $550 PC10 Cargo Net $40 $67 PT10 Trunk Mat $71 $99 PV10 Carpet Mats $61 $99 PV20 Carpet Mats $61 $99 PV50 Carpet Mats and Trunk Mat $117 $175 QS10 Remote Security System $227 $399 QS90 Remote Security System with Glass Breakage $269 $429 RD10 Compact Disc Player $245 $345 RF Rear Spoiler $299 $499 SA10 Accent Stripe $40 $76 SD Sunroof Wind Deflector $35 $59 SR Sunroof $588 $735 SS 14" Curved Star Alloy Wheels $375 $499 UF60 Full Tank of Gas (No Charge) $11 $0 V3 V.I.P. RS3000 Deluxe Security System $275 $439 VP Extra Value Package # 1 $986 $1,095 VQ Extra Value Package # 2 $1,112 $1,235 WJ10 Wheels: Enkei Alloy $395 $495 WL Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 WS Steel Wheel Locks $31 $52 WZ Alloy Wheel Locks $31 $52 XG30 24K Gold Plated Emblems/Accent $178 $274 XY30 Toyo Guard Protection $409 $619