Auto Car Reviews: Toyota Corolla 2011 Model Preview and Price with Pictures

The 2011 Toyota Corolla could be in line for minor styling changes and perhaps a new engine for its sportiest model as Toyota seeks to freshen its popular compact midway through this design generation’s lifecycle. The styling changes would be subtle and the sporty XRS model is a low-volume offering -- not that this economical sedan’s appeal hinges on looks or performance. Corolla consistently ranks among America’s top-selling cars because buyers trust it as a no-risk investment. Long-term reliability is still a strong suit. Toyota-brand resale values are slowly regaining strength after the sudden-acceleration controversy. And recalls of model-year 2009 and 2010 Corollas for modifications to prevent sudden acceleration seem to be just a minor blemish: buoyed by heavy factory incentives, Corolla is holding at No. 1 in compact-car sales.

All 2011 Toyota Corollas will come with updates to software and hardware associated with Toyota’s response to the sudden-acceleration recalls. Beyond that, the only mechanical change of note would be a new engine for the 2011 Corolla XRS. All Corollas have four-cylinder engines. The 2011 Toyota Corolla XRS is positioned to replace a 158-horsepower 2.4-liter with a 2.5-liter likely rated at 169 horsepower. Other 2011 Corollas should continue with a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four. Both engines will again be available with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. The automatic in 2011 XRS models is likely to remains a class-competitive five-speed, but the automatic used in other Corollas probably will again be a less-efficient -- and less-expensive -- four-speed. Toyota could decide the added mileage benefits of a five-speed automatic might be worth considering for all 2011 Corollas. It won’t, however, offer a hybrid Corolla during this design generation. Toyota relies on Prius and the Camry Hybrid to fly its green-car flag. If you want a station-wagon version of the Corolla, though, walk across the showroom to the 2011 Toyota Matrix. It’s a Corolla underneath its high-roof, four-door wagon body, and it’s available with all-wheel drive. The 2011 Toyota Corolla will retain front-wheel drive, which places the weight of the engine over the drive wheels for good wet-surface traction and concentrates powertrain components in the front for efficient packaging.

1.8-liter engine Corollas are amongst the most fuel efficient cars in the class, however ratings for 2011 model are not available till now. With both manual- and automatic-transmission their rating is 26/34 mpg (city/highway).

Due to very high demand and high resale values Corolla is amongst the most expensive cars in compact class. It will be expected to start around $16,200 with manual transmission and around $17,000 with automatic.

For Toyota Corolla 2011 LE model the base price will be around $17,600. It contains power windows, locks and automatic transmission. S versions of Toyota corolla 2011 will be expected to start around $17,300 with manual transmission and $18,200 with automatic. S versions should start around $17,300 with manual transmission, $18,200 with automatic. The estimated base price of 2011 Corolla XLE is around $18,500 with automatic transmission.

The base price of top-line XRS model will be estimated around $19,750 with manual transmission, $21,000 with automatic.