Form, Function Perfectly Packaged: 2022 Corolla Hatchback

•Automatic CVT and 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission Available

•SE, XSE and SE Nightshade Editions fit Any Style and Utility

•TNGA Platform for Outstanding Agility and Comfort

•Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0

•Premium Audio Available with 800-watt JBL 8-speaker System on XSE grade (CVT only)

•New Finish Line Red Premium Paint Color Available

With a combination of high-style, value and practicality – all packaged with Toyota's renowned quality, durability and reliability – the 2022 Corolla Hatchback brings a mix that's ready for any street. Add in connectivity with a 3-month/2GB WiFi Connect trial, and this hatch is ready to put its Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility to work.

That's just for starters. Two-tone colors are the hot trend among luxury and performance cars, and on the Corolla Hatch, these combos heat up its good looks. For 2022, drivers can combine a Midnight Black Metallic roof with the Wind Chill Pearl, Magnetic Gray, Classic Silver Metallic, Blue Flame or Finish Line Red exterior colors. Next, the Nightshade option makes the Corolla Hatchback look like it has been through a high-end custom paint shop without the high price tag. It's available for the SE grade with Dynamic-Shift CVT option.

The Nightshade Edition also returns for 2022. The Nightshade Hatch starts with the blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels from the Corolla XSE grade. In between, the blackout look permeates the lower rocker panels, front valance, door handles, mirror caps, shark fin antenna, rear roof spoiler and headlight inner frames.

Hatchback buyers like utility as much as style. For drivers looking for more space, they can choose the Enhanced Cargo Space option for the Corolla Hatchback SE or XSE, adding six cubic feet of space by lowering the cargo floor, made possible by switching out the spare tire for a tire repair kit.

TNGA and TSS: Strength + Safety

The Corolla Hatchback is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). Much more than a new body structure, TNGA also brings together new approaches to engineering, design, assembly and materials.

TNGA makes both Corolla Hatchback and Sedan styles into engaging driving machines while bolstering their renowned value, durability and reliability. The elevated feeling of quality in every surface, switch and control the driver sees and touches is also a function of TNGA.

Most critically, TNGA delivers on Toyota's commitment to a high level of driver and passenger protection with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active safety systems, standard on every model. The roster includes:

•Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)

•Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)

•Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)

•Automatic High Beam (AHB)

•Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) (standard on CVT-equipped vehicles)

•Road Sign Assist (RSA)

In addition, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) is standard on XSE and available on SE.

Design: Every Side is Its Good Side

The bold look of Corolla Hatchback begins with its rounded, muscular physique accented by chiseled character lines and simple, condensed three-dimensional highlights. Combined with the 16 or 18-inch wheels, the shape gives the Hatchback an active, well-planted attitude.

Slim, J-shaped Bi-Beam LED headlamps wrap deeply into the front fenders and give Corolla Hatchback a distinct expression. It's functional, of course, with precise illumination. The all-LED taillamps feature a diffusing inner lens designed to highlight the Corolla Hatchback's stout stance.

The car's profile and hatch area underscore Corolla Hatchback's athletic presence. The hatch's slope catches the eyes while eluding the wind. Made from TSOP (Toyota Super Olefin Polymer) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), the lightweight hatch is easy to open and close and helps aid fuel efficiency.

The SE and XSE model grades are easily distinguished at a glance. Both feature LED headlamps and taillights, chrome rear diffuser and alloy wheels. The SE model sits on 16-inch aluminum wheels with silver metallic paint, while the SE Nightshade sits on 18-nch aluminum bright machine-finished wheels, with dark gray metallic paint. The XSE ups the ante with 18-inch all black aluminum wheels, LED fog lights, chrome front grille surround and an available (with CVT) Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS). The Bi-Beam LED units move vertically and horizontally to help provide optimal light output by analyzing steering angle, vehicle speed and the vehicle's longitudinal angle to adjust the lamps.

Corolla Hatchback's electrifying color range includes Galactic Aqua Mica, Midnight Black Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Finish Line Red, Blue Flame, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl and White.

Inner Emotiveness … and Peace and Quiet

Simple. Warm. Inviting. Sensuous. You'd expect such adjectives from the luxury car realm, yet these also inspired designers when visualizing Corolla Hatchback's cabin. The result is called 'Sensuous Minimalism.' It's equal parts sporty, elegant and, as always, Corolla-comfortable and durable.

Minimized gaps between buttons and switches, along with the elimination of unnecessary lettering on switchgear, adds to the premium ambiance. Consistency in all materials' and elements' shape, color, grain and gloss help maximize continuity and aesthetic quality.

The standard 4.2-inch or available 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) Multi-Information Display (MID) is located between the tachometer and speedometer. With the larger display, the driver can switch between analog and digital speedometer styles.

Featuring rich graphics, the easy-to-read MID can be custom configured by the driver and offers intuitive operation to access information for the audio and multimedia systems including hands-free phone operation, navigation, vehicle information including fuel efficiency and tire pressure, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and other important parameters and system settings. The driver can operate the system via steering wheel-mounted controls and voice command.

Powertrain and road noise in the Corolla Hatchback are hushed thanks to drivetrain efficiencies and the widespread deployment of sound-absorbing materials, including Thinsulate®, sealants, foams and silencer pads. As one example, the floor silencer pad is one large piece, instead of many smaller elements. The TNGA structure employs additional seals in body gaps to insulate noise penetration and enhance air-sealing performance. Even Corolla Hatchback's Aero Stabilizing Fins on the taillights helps by combatting wind drone.

Comfort and Convenience, Corolla Style

Combine all of that with Corolla's quiet powertrain, and the Hatchback is the ideal space to enjoy music through the Toyota Audio system with a standard 8-inch multimedia touchscreen. This intuitive portal provides access to vehicle settings, audio controls, navigation, smartphone and App Suite 3.0. Climate controls, located below the multimedia portal, are fashioned in a bright, highly visible digitized configuration.

The center console incorporates a tray ahead of the gearshift that can hold small items such as a smartphone or wallet or, if outfitted, serves as the Qi wireless device charging area. A 5.5-inch smartphone can easily fit inside the center console box. High-gloss materials are paired with matte elements – silver accents with Piano Black and available contrast stitching – to accentuate a premium look and feel.

Seating comfort, always a Toyota strength, is optimized in the Corolla Hatchback to provide a more natural body posture and position for ideal access to the multifunction steering wheel, pedals and gearshift. Ample front door storage includes cup holders that can fit 24-ounce bottles. Rear seat passengers have upper door cup holders that hold 16-ounce bottles.

Interior seating colors include Black or Moonstone combination leather on the XSE grade, Black or Moonstone fabric on the SE grade or Black fabric on the SE Nightshade grade.

Toyota Value Wins Again

The Corolla Hatchback upholds the brand's penchant for high value. Over 50 years ago, that meant making such features as radial tires, reclining front seats and a rear window defogger standard on Corolla when most small cars made such features extra-cost options, if they offered them at all.

In 2022, it's a whole different landscape, of course, but the value principle remains. The Corolla Hatchback SE grade comes standard with single-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped shift knob and, with the optional CVT, paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel. An electronic parking brake, three-door SmartKey system, automatic up/down windows and two front USB ports are standard as well.

The XSE grade builds on the SE with dual-zone climate control, combination leather (leather with mélange-like fabric) seating, unique stitching on the instrument panel and doors, heated front seats and an eight-way power driver's seat.

Multifaceted Multimedia

There's no shortage of entertainment and connectivity inside Corolla Hatchback. For SE, standard Toyota Audio includes the 8-in. Touchscreen, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility, App Suite Connect, Safety Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, Scout GPS Link Compatible, Siri Eyes Free, Auxiliary audio jack and USB 2.0 port with iPod connectivity and control, AM/FM, MP3/WMA playback capability, SiriusXM All Access satellite radio with three-month trial, hands-free phone capability, voice recognition and music streaming via Bluetooth.

Toyota Audio Plus, standard on XSE and optional on SE (with CVT), adds HD Radio and Weather/Traffic info, Connected Services, Service Connect and Remote Connect.

Topping the range, available Premium Audio for the XSE grade (with CVT) delivers a sonic knockout punch. The JBL 8-speaker, 800-watt system includes Clari-Fi technology, which analyzes and restores audio signals that were degraded by digital compression, making these formats sound more 'open.' This system also includes JBL Dynamic Voice Recognition, Dynamic Navigation, Dynamic POI Search and Destination Assist Connect.

Highlights of the 8-speaker array include free-standing horn tweeters in the A-pillars, 6.7-inch door subwoofers and sealed inner door panels to promote cleaner, more powerful bass response. Whatever kind of music fed into it, this system rocks. Rounding off connectivity are two USB ports (located inside the center console and instrument panel) and one AUX port (located on the instrument panel).

A Driver's Hatchback

Here's another thing that hatchback customers enjoy: driving. Toyota designed the Corolla Hatchback as a complete driver's package, with a seamless combination of comfort and sporty controllability that begins at its TNGA-C platform.

The structure employs a mixture of adhesives, spot welding and additional bracing – top to bottom, side to side – to create a super-strong, super-tight platform for ride comfort and handling agility. The effects of TNGA's extensive use of aluminum and high- and ultra-high tensile steel in the structure can be felt in the premium on-road feel and can be appreciated in the fuel efficiency.

The MacPherson strut front suspension employs sophisticated techniques, including a strut bearing mounted coaxially with the kingpin axis. This feature allows smoother upward suspension travel, especially while traversing bumps, resulting in more comfortable steering feel. The multi-link rear suspension is highly adept at comfortably absorbing bumps while also giving agility an edge.

The result: A Corolla Hatchback that possesses an uncanny blend of balance, composure and feel that invites the driver to seek out twisty roads.

Dynamic-Force is Aptly Named

The 2.0-liter Dynamic-Force direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine is also a product of TNGA development. The engine earns its name from an exemplary combination of high performance and high fuel efficiency.

The hardware in this 2.0-liter powerhouse is impressive, including a very high compression ratio (13:1), ultra-low internal friction, Toyota D4-S fuel injection combining direct injection and secondary port injectors, high-speed combustion, VVT-iE intelligent variable valve-timing on the intake side and VVT-i on the exhaust. (VVT-iE uses an electric motor instead of oil pressure to control the variable valve timing.)

That all adds up to exuberant performance from 168 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Features like a rigid crank case with integrated stiffener, a lightweight resin camshaft cover and a ribbed oil pan help to make the engine a smooth and quiet operator.

All of that tech helps with low fuel consumption, with 32 city / 41 highway / 35 combined EPA-estimated mpg estimates (SE grade with CVT) and 30 city / 38 highway / 33 combined EPA-estimated mpg estimates (XSE grade with CVT). A continuously variable capacity oil pump and a variable cooling system with electric water pump help maximize engine performance and efficiency. The more efficient cooling system also ensures quicker cabin heating on cold days and quicker cool-down when the air conditioner is used. Automatic Stop/Start reduces fuel usage in urban driving.

The 2.0-liter Dynamic Force engine can achieve 40% thermal efficiency, which is among the highest in the world for a passenger vehicle engine and is a true measure of how well the engine converts fuel to energy.

Transmission Mission

Be they commuters or canyon cruisers, Corolla Hatchback drivers will appreciate the choice between two transmissions: the Dynamic-Shift CVT or a 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission). The CVT offers simulated 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic steps, Sport Mode and paddle shifters. Unique among transmissions of this type, the key to the Dynamic-Shift CVT's distinct performance feel is a gearset used as a 'first' gear for start-off acceleration, before handing off to the CVT's pulley system.

Because the launch gear is handling the higher input load at launch, the size of the CVT's belt and pulley components could be reduced, yielding shifting speeds that can be 20% faster than in a conventional CVT.

The result is a quicker, more linear acceleration feeling from a stop, while maintaining the benefits of a CVT at mid-range and higher speeds. Also, because the gears reduce the need for the CVT's pulleys and belt mechanism to be used in the low-ratio range, more of the CVT's expansive 7.5 range can be dedicated to mid- and higher speeds, helping to maximize fuel efficiency.

The six-speed iMT with downshift rev-matching control is like something from a sports car. The iMT controls automatically adjust engine revs when changing gears, ensuring smooth gear shifting that makes any driver feel like a stick-shift pro. The six-speed iMT has an EPA-estimated MPG of 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined EPA-estimated mpg estimates (SE and XSE grades).

Toyota Safety Tech

The 2022 Corolla Hatchback has 10 standard airbags and Toyota's Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System and Smart Stop Technology. Corolla Hatchback also comes equipped with a standard backup camera.

A complimentary one-year trial of Toyota Safety Connect is also included, which includes Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance and Automatic Collision Notification. Available by subscription.

Limited Warranty and ToyotaCare

Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. The Corolla Hatchback also comes standard with ToyotaCare, a no additional cost plan that covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years, unlimited mileage.

by Toyota

Over the years a manufacturer that has built a solid reputation for sturdy, reliable vehicles is Toyota, and no car proved that better than the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla name is the oldest in Toyota's current inventory of American products, second only to the Land Cruiser. The most popular car line in history, with over 30 million Corollas sold worldwide, the Corolla is also the first Toyota made in America.

The smallest Toyota sold in America up until that time, the Corolla was introduced in Japan in October of 1966. The first Corolla arrived in the U.S. in the summer of 1968. The newest edition featured a 90-inch wheelbase in two-door coupe, four-door sedan and two-door wagon body styles. The Corolla also featured a 60-horsepower, 1.1-liter overhead valve four-cylinder mounted longitudinally in the engine bay that sent power to a four-speed manual transmission before going to a solid rear axle. Not yet on the options list was an automatic transmission.

There was nothing sophisticated about the first Toyota Corolla and it definitely wasn't pretty, yet it was so simple that there were almost no parts to break. The original Corolla's unibody structure had a strut front suspension and mounted the rear axle on a pair of leaf springs. The worldwide opinion in the early 1960's was that Japanese products were unrefined, Toyota worked hard to overcome this then common perception. Corolla's were priced under $1,700 and that proved that even when Toyota build a smaller, cheaper car, the last thing to suffer was quality.

The first Corolla was too small and underpowered for North American tastes, the second Corolla aimed to fix this problem. Introduced in 1970, the second generation Corolla featured a wheelbase stretched to 91.9 inches with power that came from a new 1.2-liter version of the OHV four that achieved 73 horsepower. The strut front and leaf spring rear suspension was continued. The newest generation of Corolla had very minor styling changes other than the extended wheelbase and was now significantly more comfortable and confident. Its popularity rose when an automatic transmission was offered, and it quickly became the second best-selling car in the world.

For the following year, the car became even more improved as the engine grew to 1.6 liters and output was expanded to 102 horsepower. For1972 the grille was redesigned, though no other changes were made. For the 1973 and 1974 year the only updates were larger bumpers added to accommodate federal regulations along with the introduction of sporty SR5 models with five-speed manual transmissions.

The third generation of Corollas were introduced in 1975 and were styled quite uniquely with a raised center section in the grille, much like a more angular body. Five models were now available for this year, with the priciest one being a two-door sedan that was powered by a 1.2 liter engine. This was joined by a 4-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, a sporty SR5 hardtop and a five-door station wagon, these were all powered by the 1.6 liter four. All models except the SR5 power featured standard transmission. The SR5 featured a four-speed manual. Optional in the other Corollas, a five-speed manual was once again a five-speed manual. Three-speed automatic was also available. During the mid-1970s, emission standards were stiffening and a catalytic converter was included in the 1975 Corolla for the first time.

The ‘Liftback' a new three-door hatchback was added to the Corolla line in 1976 and resembled a sporty two-door station wagon rather than the traditional fastback or economy vehicles. Toyota envisioned that the Liftback would be responsible for 30% of Corolla sales in the U.S., especially with its split fold-down rear seat.

A new Corolla Sport Coupe was introduced in 1976 that shared the front-end styling with the Liftback in both standard and SR5 configurations. Less expensive than the much larger Celica, the new Sport Coupe with its fastback styling gave Toyota a sporty car to feature.

For 1977 the front-end styling of both the sedans and wagons were modified with a more conventional grille. Undistinguished in their shapes, these new vehicles were overdone in their details and were never considered to be particularly attractive cars. But they did last seemingly forever.

Virtually unchanged, the third-generation Corolla had very little updates during the 1978 model year.

The fourth generation of Toyota Corolla's was introduced in 1979 with a whole new chassis. A much more sophisticated car than any other Corolla before, this new generation would become better still. Deleting its primitive leaf spring rear suspension, the 1979 Corolla replaced it with a more compliant coil spring system. The wheelbase was now increased to 94.5 inches and the new unibody above the new suspension was much larger, stronger and more attractive in its own way. The new Corolla was powered with a new 75-horsepower, 1.8-liter version of the OHV four and newly available were four- and five-speed manual along with three-speed automatic transmissions.

The SR5 in Sport Coupe, Hatchback and Liftback semi-wagon configurations were particularly popular during this generation due their effective use of detailing and the fact they looked more expensive than they actually were.

'80 and '81 Corolla lineups continued over from 1979 virtually unchanged, but in 1982 the automatic transmission was upgraded to a four-speed unit. The following year a new 1.6-liter overhead cam engine replaced the previous 1.8 and was both smoother and more powerful than before.

In 1984 Toyota introduced the front-drive Corolla sedan that now sported front drive. The SR5 Coupe, Liftback and station wagon remained on the previous-generation Corolla's rear drive chassis. Just as conventional in the front-drive as it had been in a rear-driver layout, the same 1.6-liter, SOHC engine was used and sat transversely in the front driver's engine bay feeding either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Coil springs held up the rear drive. A four-cylinder diesel powered a few early fifth-generation front-drive Corollas.

Halfway through the '84 model year, a new dual-overhead cam, 16-valve version of the 1.6-liter four rated at an impressive 124 horsepower was offered on the rear-drive Corolla coupe and Liftback. This resulted in the Corolla GT-S, a fun-to-drive car that attracted many buyers.

The Corolla lineup remained virtually unchanged through 1985 and 1986. In 1987 the new ‘FX' coupe was introduced; a front-drive Corolla that was produced at the NUMMI joint venture production plant in California. The new coupe was a conventional hatchback in the same body style as the Volkswagen Rabbit, and was available with either the SOHC or DOHC 1.6-liter engine. The new coupe was known as the FX16 when equipped with the DOHC engine. The FX marked the beginning of Corolla production in North America.

The rear-drive Corolla coupe and Liftback were replaced in 1988 with a new front-drive coupe. Enormously more refined, the new Corolla coupe and Corolla GT-S were more refined and capable, just not as fun. The sixth generation sedan was styled more conservatively than the previous generation and was built at both the NUMMI plant in California and in Japan, while the coupes and wagons were only produced in Japan. Available with either front-wheel drive or full-time All-Trac all-wheel drive the station wagon was versatile. The FX hatchback was discontinued after only a year. The base received DX trim, while it was better-equipped LE for the seda, DX and SR5 for the wagon, and SR5 and GT-S for the coupe.

The same 95.6-inch wheelbase was used on the sixth generation of Corolla, though it was almost an inch wider now. The Sprinter was a slightly updated version of the Corolla body that was sold in Japan. Identical mechanical pieces were utilized and were built at the NUMMI plant and branded as the Geo Prism. The All-Trac wagons kept a solid rear axle with coil springs while sedans, coupes and front-drive wagons rode on a full independent strut suspension.

DOHC, 16-valve inline four-cylinders were the engine used on all models while the sedans, front-drive wagon and SR5 coupe received a carbureted 90-hp motor. All-Trac wagons received a fuel-injected 100-hp version while the GT-S received a 115-hp EFI version. A standard five-speed manual with the option of either three or four-speed automatic (depending on trim level) were the transmission choices for this generation of Corollas. Standard were thirteen-inch wheels, while the GT-S received 14-inch wheels along with four-wheel disc brakes and a six-way adjustable driver seat with sport bolstering. The sixth-generation of Corolla's did not feature many modern conveniences as standards, such as AC, power steering, stereo or dual outside mirrors.

For 1989 there were no major changes except for the addition of an All-Trac sedan to the Corolla lineup, which lasted only a year. In 1990 all Corollas benefited from fuel injection and the base engine was now rated at 102 hp. The GT-S was now measured at 130 and five additional lb-ft of torque for a total of 105 horsepower. For this year an all- new entry-level sedan was added to the lineup, with all of the basic Corolla equipment including the cloth upholstery.

Following the 1991 model year, coupes were discontinued. The only change for 1992 was the addition of a few new paint colors, and the highline LE sedan could be purchased with the four-speed automatic.

Now riding on a 97.0-inch wheelbase, the seventh generation of Toyota Corollas was introduced in 1993 and the sedan and wagon moved up a size classification from ‘subcompact' to ‘compact' according to the EPA. No more Corolla coupes or all-wheel-drive wagons were available. Sedans were now only offered in standard, DX and LE trim while a front-wheel-drive wagon was available only in DX trim. DX and LE models benefited from an additional stabilizer bar in front while all cars rode on a fully independent suspension.

The basic Corolla sedan featured the same 1.6-liter engine that had been used in the previous generation vehicle, with output at 105 hp, except in Massachusetts, NY, and California where it was rated at only 100 due to stringent emissions requirements. New Corolla DX and LE models featured a new 1.8-liter DOHC, 16-valve four making 115 horsepower. Standard was a five-speed manual with a three-speed autobox optional on the base sedan and a four-speed was optional ono all other models. 14-inch wheels were eatured on all cars along with front disc/rear drum brakes. ABS was an optional feature on all models across the line. Standard in 1993 was height-adjustable seatbelts and driver-side front airbags. Passenger front airbags became standard the following year, along with locking retractor seatbelts in passengers' positions.

For 1995 the DX sedan received new upholstery while all audio systems received a complete redesign. The 1.8-liter engine lost 10 horsepower in order to comply with stricter emissions regulations. For 1996 the LE model was discontinued. The front grille was updated with a color-keyed frame while the taillight panels were revised while the DX received a full-width treatment. The interior trim was also updated with an integrated child seat added to the options list. The manual transmission was upgraded which yielded shorter throws, newly improved feel and more positive gear engagement.

The DX wagon was deleted in 1997 and replaced with a special CE, Classic Edition sedan. The CE incorporated many popular features in one value-priced package, that included power windows, locks, AC, four-speaker stereo, power steering, manual remote mirrors and special floor mats and exterior badging. Additional side-impact protection to meet new federal standards was added to all models. In 1997, all Corollas sold in the U.S. were for the first time built in North America at the NUMMI plant in California and the TMMC plant in Canada. The Corolla had become the best-selling nameplate in automotive history by the end of the 1997 model year.

For the eighth generation of the Toyota Corolla, the vehicle lost some of its weight and increased its fuel mileage due to a new engine and a more efficient drivetrain. An all-new, all-aluminum 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine was rated at 120 horsepower. This was exactly twice the engine rating of the first Corolla introduced in 1968. A 10% increase of fuel economy from the previous generation was achieved with the standard five-speed manual. This eighth generation of Corolla could achieve 31 mph in the city, and 38 on the highway.

For this generation, only a sedan was offered, though in three trim levels, the base VE, midlevel CE and the highline LE. An optional three-speed automatic was on the VE, while CE and LE featured the four-speed unit. The equipment levels remained the same as the previous generation, though base models came with power steering and dual exterior mirrors. Optional on all models was ABS while new extra features that included side airbags and a CD player were available.

The 1998 Corolla was considered to have an elegant exterior followed with a handsome interior and a good source of competition to the Honda Civic and the Nissan Sentra. Sales remained strong with the comparatively expensive and short on rear-seat legroom Corolla. For 1998 a total of 248,195 Corollas were sold.

1999 featured very minor changes for the Toyota Corolla. A cassette stereo was added to the VE model, while the LE model came standard with 1998's Touring Package items that included wide 14-inch tires, a front stabilizer bar, a tachometer and other various exterior cosmetic enhancements. For 2000 Toyota added it VVT-i variable valve timing system to the 1.8-liter engine which boosted output to 125 horsepower. This allowed Corolla to achieve low emission vehicle status while making for a larger torque. The following year featured new front and rear fascias, headlights and taillights. A somewhat sporty S version was also introduced in 2001. S model featured unique wheel covers, foglights, intermittent wipers, mudguard, grilles and color-keyed moldings. The upholstery on the interior was sportier with a tachometer and faux leather-wrapped wheel. The base VE model was replaced with the CE. For 2002 the Corolla line remained virtually unchanged though the price was lowered for the optional value packages.

Designed to attract young buyers, the 2003 Corolla Sedan more closely resembled a shrunken Camry. The ninth generation rode on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, five inches longer than the previous generation, and 0.7 inches shorter than the current Honda Civic sedan. The newest Corolla was available as a base CE, luxury LE or somewhat sporty S. Its total length was measured at 178.3 inches, 3.7 inches longer than the Civic. The newest generation shared the exact same wheelbase as the original '83 Camry with just a 2.7 inch increase than that car.

The 03 Sedan featured ordinary strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, but well manufactured front disc/rear drum brakes. The rack-and-pinion steering was also excellent. The ninth generation of Corolla's is as close to a luxury car ride as any small economy sedan has ever offered.

An evolutionary development of the all-aluminum 1.8-liter, DOHC, 1-valve engine from prior models, the engine is now rated at 130 horsepower. The base CE-grade Corolla now features four gears in its optional automatic. Equipment levels were also up now too. The CE comes with air conditioning with micron filtration, power mirrors, 15-inch wheels and a CD player. The LE now came with fake wood accents that can be optioned with leather upholstery.

Toyota Corolla's may not feature as many varieties as in previous years, but they are build to provide many years of trouble free driving, now more comfortable and roomier than ever. Since the launch of the Corolla name in 1996, more than 30 million vehicles have been produced, making it the best selling car of all time. Currently, Corollas are manufactured in Japan, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, South Africa, India, Turkey, Brazil and Thailand.

by Jessican Donaldson