New Car Review of the 2005 Toyota Corolla Compact Sedan

Description: Compact Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $13,780 - $17,555
Invoice Price Range: $12,744 - $15,886
Where built: Canada

Toyota's compact sedan comes together in California and at Toyota's Canadian factory in Ontario. Exterior styling appears shapely and contemporary but also athletic, as issues of 2005 display a new front fascia with redesigned bumper and grille, headlamps and foglamps.

For action, a 1.8-liter in-line-four engine hits 130-hp for Corolla's primary trims of entry-level CE, sporty S and deluxe LE. Transmissions include the standard 5-speed manual stick or optional automatic 3-speed for Corolla CE and a 4-speed automatic on S and LE.

Then check out the sporty new XRS flashing a spoiler, body-colored grille, blacked-out headlight extensions and 16-inch alloy wheels. It rides low on a sport-tuned suspension slammed down by half an inch, while in the cabin there are sport seats, silver-colored instrument plates with Optitron meters and a leather shifter knob.

Corolla XRS packs more power too, due to a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with Toyota's valve wizardry, labeled VVTL-i for variable valve timing and lift with intelligence. The plant produces 170-hp with a 6-speed manual stick.