Toyota Corolla 10th Generation 2009-2013 Review

The 10th-generation Toyota Corolla's facelift was a mild one as there were no structural or mechanical changes made to the range. Some of the trims were revised, and cosmetic alterations were kept to a minimum. With the arrival of the facelift, Toyota also introduced the L as a new base trim together with a special-edition package for the LE and S models.

The updated 10th-generation Toyota Corolla took on the brand's design philosophy for the new decade with a revised set of headlights¹, a new grille with different styling cues based on the trim², and a new bumper with a trapezoidal center air dam³ and taller but narrower faux side air intakes which house the foglights on more premium trims⁴.

The rear of the updated Toyota Corolla E150 has new taillights¹, a slightly redesigned trunk lid², and a new rear bumper³ with reshaped reflectors⁴. On more premium trims, the chrome strip on the trunk lid has also been redesigned to be more prominent⁵. The XRS has a new black trimming and exhaust tip at the base of the bumper.

The profile of the Corolla remains relatively unchanged at first glance if you exclude the new wheel designs¹. From this angle, you can also see the changes made to the lights and bumpers at the front and rear².

New to the interior of the Toyota Corolla range are new seat colors and patterns, a clearer LCD interface in the instrument cluster¹, new instrument panel upper and door trim upper colors, and a new steering-wheel design for the S trim². The touchscreen infotainment system on cars fitted with the navigation system has also been revised³.

The 10th-generation Toyota Corolla range is available with two engine and three transmission options. Base models are fitted with the 2ZR-FE 1.8-liter inline four with a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. The sporty XRS adopts the 2AZ-FE 2.4-liter inline four with a standard five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmission. These engines remain unchanged throughout this generation's lifespan.

The 10th-generation Toyota Corolla range produces competitive EPA-estimated fuel-consumption figures. The most frugal of the batch is the base 1.8-liter inline-four paired with the five-speed manual transmission with its estimated 27/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined. The thirstiest model is the 2.4-liter inline four with the five-speed automatic transmission which has 21/30/24 mpg estimates. Real-world figures sourced from private owners who are not monitored by the EPA reflect that 1.8-liter models can deliver a consumption that ranges from 29 to 38.1 mpg. The 2.4-liter is a bit heavier with its real-world combined consumption of anywhere between 22.4 and 31.1 mpg.

The 10th-generation Corolla's main rival is the Honda Civic which features a 1.8-liter inline-four mated to either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. These models deliver an EPA estimated figure of 26/34/29 and 25/36/29 mpg, respectively, which is pretty much in the same region as the Corolla. The 2.0-liter Mazda3 also comes with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission and boasts slightly poorer 25/33/28 and 24/33/27 mpg estimates, respectively.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

The 10th-generation Toyota Corolla sedan range does not boast class-leading crash-test results from the NHTSA with its four-star overall safety rating. In the front and rollover sections, it is awarded four stars, but the side crash test is a bit more impressive with its five-star result.

All Toyota Corolla trims come standard with daytime running lights, intermittent windshield wipers, front and side airbags for the driver and passenger, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, tire-pressure monitoring, and side-impact door beams. An anti-theft system with an engine immobilizer is also fitted across the range. Traction and stability control are optional on all models except the XRS on which it is included as standard for 2009 only. Thereon after, it is standard across the 2010 range. Variable intermittent windshield wipers are installed to the XLE only. Curtain airbags are optionally available on all models assembled in 2012 and 2013.

The pre-facelifted Toyota Corolla E140 range consists of the Base, LE, S, XRS, and XLE trims. Only the LE and S are available throughout the generation's lifespan. The L is available from 2012 to 2013 as a base alternative, the XLE is available as a flagship trim in 2009 and 2010 while the XRS is sold in these same years as a sporty option. Two special-edition trims are added to the LE and S as a package in 2013.

The Toyota Corolla tenth-generation range takes the fight to the budget compact-sedan segment with its competitive interior space. All cars have a front headroom figure of 38.8 inches without the sunroof and 37.9 inches with it. Legroom comes in at 41.7 inches, which creates enough space for those standing six feet tall to feel reasonably comfortable in. The rear bench offers 37.2 inches of headroom and 36.3 inches of legroom, which may leave six-footers feeling a bit cramped. All cars boast a trunk space of 12.3 cubic feet, which is enough to squeeze four medium suitcases in for a weekend away. There should be no trouble using this for your average grocery shopping or school-run car.

Where interior storage facilities are concerned, the Corolla doesn't fare too badly as it offers a center storage compartment, an overhead sunglass-storage compartment, passenger-side dual glove compartments, and storage pockets in the front and rear doors with bottle holders. Two cupholders can also be found at the front and another two at the rear.

Where cabin quality is concerned, the 10th-generation model appears to have a more modern fit and finish. Interior upholstery shades consist of Ash and Bisque for the lower trim models while the more premium trims have access to a Brisque high-contrast and Dark Charcoal shade.

The 10th-generation Toyota Corolla range comes equipped with robust and dependable engines if you ensure that they are routinely and professionally maintained. Both the 2ZR and 2AZ engines have the same maintenance schedule, which is fairly easy to follow. At 10,000-mile intervals, you should change the engine oil and oil filter. If you subject your car to cold or dusty environments or partake in towing or long engine idling, you will have to conduct an oil and filter change at 5,000-mile intervals. The 2ZR does not come equipped with an automatic tensioner for the drive belt, so be sure that it is tightened or at the very least inspected at this interval. A new cabin air filter ($23) and engine air filter ($23) are needed at 30,000-mile intervals. Toyota doesn't list a mileage for an automatic transmission oil change ($290), but we strongly recommend that you conduct this at 60,000-mile intervals. A new set of spark plugs ($60) should be installed every 120,000 miles. There are no intervals for the accessory drive belts, engine coolant, differential oil, and braking system, but Toyota's maintenance guide states that these should all be inspected every 10,000 miles. A major 120,000-mile interval service is likely to cost $610 at a private workshop and $885 at the dealer for the 2ZR. The 2AZ will cost $775 at a shop and $1,110 at the dealer.

A lubrication service for the 10th-generation Toyota Corolla range will cost $190 at a dealership or $95 at an independent workshop. If you opt to do it yourself, both the 2ZR and 2AZ use the same 0W-20 oil type and bear similar oil capacities. This will likely cost you around $63 for oil and a filter.

Several 2009 to 2013 Toyota Corolla recalls were issued, four of which are for the Takata airbag recall saga. Additional ones may include:

• All 2009 and 2010 models fitted with the optional seat heater were recalled for a wiring problem in which the copper-strand heating element can short.
• 2009 to 2011 Toyota Corolla models were recalled for a power-window master-switch problem that could see the electrical contacts melting due to improper protection against debris and moisture.
• 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla models were recalled for an accelerator pedal problem that would send the drive-by-wire system into a wide-open position resulting in full unintended acceleration.
• The first two years of the 10th-generation Toyota Corolla were recalled for a brake problem relating to the vacuum-suction port that could hinder the car's ability to stop.
• 2010 and 2011 Toyota Corolla models were recalled for an A-pillar trim-panel retention clip that could come loose in the event of a crash.
• A small sample of 2011 to 2013 models had to be recalled for ZF-TWR's occupant-sensing system calibration, which could hinder the airbag's deployment in the event of a crash.

There are no recalls for the Toyota Corolla's engine, paint, transmission, gas pedal, water pump, ECM, or power steering.

OBD-II codes that you may encounter with the 10th-generation Toyota Corolla include

• If you encounter issues with the heater-control circuit in the 2009 to 2013 Toyota Corolla, the P0031 code will greet you.
• P0113 is an intake-air temperature (IAT) circuit fault code on the 10th-generation Toyota Corolla.
• P1650 and P0607 are engine-control module (ECM) fault codes.
• Fuel-injector problems in the 2009 to 2013 Toyota Corolla are indicated via the P2050 code.
• Evaporative emission (EVAP) control-system problems will show the P0441, P0455, P043e, P043f, P0446, P2401, or P0452 codes.
• Oxygen sensor faults include the P0138 code for the 2009 to 2013 Toyota Corolla range. If you are experiencing problems with the catalyst system, you'll see the P0420 fault code on your 10th-generation Toyota Corolla. A lean-running engine will result in the P0171 fault code.
• Vehicle-speed sensor (VSS) problems will result in the P0500 or P0717 code.
• You'll see the P0741 and P0751 fault codes if there is a problem with the automatic transmission's shift solenoid.
• Camshaft-position sensor problems will bring up the P1361, P0010, P0011, P0015, P0340, and P0345 codes. P0355 and P0016 are crankshaft-position sensor fault codes.
• P0328 means there is a problem with the knock sensor.
• P1603, P1604, and P1605 are codes relating to engine stalling and starting.
• P0100 and P0101 are mass air flow (MAF) circuit-related fault codes.
• A serial communication link malfunction will be indicated by the P0600 fault code.

Other issues that may be present in the 10th-gen Toyota Corolla include problems with the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system's charcoal canister, daytime running lights, and premature brake-rotor wear. 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 Toyota Corolla may also struggle with electric power-steering and starter-motor problems. Throttle-position sensor (TPS) problems also appear to befall some cars, which will bring up the P1400 fault code.

Problems you are not likely to encounter in the 2009 to 2013 Toyota Corolla include:

• There shouldn't be any electrical problems with the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 Toyota Corolla's alternator, battery, main computer, Bluetooth radio, or sound system.
• The 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 Toyota Corollas do not struggle with automatic transmission-mount or manual-transmission clutch and gear-shifting problems much at all.
• Engine problems relating to the camshaft, crankshaft sensor, fuel pump, head gasket, or throttle body should not be present in the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013 Toyota Corolla.
• There should be no problems with the Toyota Corolla's catalytic converter, fuel-filler neck, or tank-pressure issues.
• Paint and rust problems on the 2010 and 2012 Toyota Corolla are not well-documented.
• You should not expect any problems with the 2011 and 2012 Toyota Corolla's front-wheel bearing or speed sensor.
• 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013 Toyota Corolla models don't struggle with driver's door-lock or trunk-latch or -lock problems either.

There is no inherently bad Corolla 10th-gen model as the range is good with regards to reliability and performance throughout its lifespan. The only reason why we might say that the E140 2009 and 2010 models should be avoided is that they have a long list of recalls, so just make sure these have been attended to. The 2009 model also does not feature stability control as standard across the range, but the fact that it is optional means that this is more nitpicking than anything else. As is the case with any car, always ensure that it has been strictly and routinely maintained. It may bear the dependable Corolla moniker, but any car will have troubles down the line if neglected.

On the basis of specification, the E150 2012 and 2013 LE and S models are the most attractive as they come with a longer list of standard safety, comfort, and convenience features. Both manual and automatic transmissions have a good reputation, so choosing either of these is based more on your personal preference. Only consider units that have been routinely maintained by professionals.

The 10th-generation Toyota Corolla offers prospective owners a fair amount of safety, reliability, comfort, and interior space. It's not the most thrilling option in its segment, even considering the sportier XRS, but it certainly has a strong heritage backing it. This generation of the model was sold in vast numbers, so there should be varying samples for you to choose from. Don't settle for anything less than a clean car with a full service history.