2003-08 Toyota Corolla | Consumer Guide Auto

Compact car; Built in Canada

4-door sedan

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $4,700 – $10,000*

2003 Toyota Corolla

2004 Toyota Corolla

2005 Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla interior

Pros:	Fuel economy
Cons:	Acceleration (mild with automatic) Rear-seat room

Not as refined as it could be, the Corolla nevertheless offers fine value for the money. Toyota’s reputation for reliability qualifies this sedan for Recommended status. Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Volkswagen Jetta sedans promise more driving spice, but no more utility.

Overview

Toyota redesigned its long-lived front-drive subcompact sedan for 2003, continuing its tradition as a conservative four-door, versus the company’s new-age Echo and hybrid-powered Prius. Fresh styling for 2003 was accompanied by an increase of 5.4 inches in wheelbase, and 4.3 inches in overall length, compared to the 1998-2002 version.

Corolla lent its underskin platform to the Toyota Matrix, a new wagon that also aimed toward younger buyers. Toyota first introduced a Corolla way back in the late 1960s.

A 1.8-liter four-cylinder returned as the sole Corolla engine, having gained 5 horsepower. Either a manual transmission or a four-speed automatic could be installed. Antilock braking and front side airbags were optional. Curtain side airbags were unavailable.

Air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, and a CD player were standard. CE, S, and top-rung LE trim levels were offered. The sportier S sedan had aero body trim, fog lamps, and a leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob. Exclusive to the LE was optional leather upholstery.

Rivals included the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Volkswagen Jetta. Chevrolet halted production of its Corolla clone, the Prizm, which did not carry over into the 2003 design.

Yearly Updates

2004 Corolla
Following its 2003 redesign, the Corolla was virtually unchanged for 2004.

2005 Corolla
Curtain side airbags joined the options list for 2005. A high-performance XRS sedan joined the lineup, with a 170-horsepower engine and six-speed manual transmission. The XRS also featured a sport suspension, unique exterior and interior trim, and 16-inch wheels. Modest facelifting for 2005 gave both the front and rear ends a slightly different look.

2006 Corolla
The Corolla was unchanged for 2006.

2007 Corolla
The larger of Toyota’s compact sedans dropped its sporty model for 2007. Leather upholstery was no longer available.

2008 Corolla
The 2008 Toyota Corolla carried over unchanged, pending a redesign due in calendar 2008 as a 2009 model.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	1.8/110
Engine HP	130
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	125

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	32/40 29/38	28.5

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

1.8/110

Engine HP

130

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

125

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

32/40
29/38

28.5

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	1.8/110
Engine HP	170
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	127

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual	26/34

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

1.8/110

Engine HP

170

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

127

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

6-speed manual

26/34

Ratings

Model Tested: 2004 Corolla LE w/auto.

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4

40%

Fuel Economy - 7

70%

Ride Quality - 5

50%

Steering/Handling - 5

50%

Quietness - 5

50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Front - 5

50%

Room/Comfort Rear - 3

30%

Cargo Room - 3

30%

Other

Value - 8

80%

Total: 51

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2003 Corolla 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Front Passenger Injury - 5

100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4

80%

Rear Passenger Injury - 4

80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

2003 Toyota Corolla	Pricing Effective: 10/01/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
CE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 13,570	$ 12,550	$ 485
CE 4-door sedan, automatic	14,370	13,290	485
S 4-door sedan, manual	14,515	13,135	485
S 4-door sedan, automatic	15,315	13,859	485
LE 4-door sedan, manual	14,680	13,283	485
LE 4-door sedan, automatic	15,480	14,007	485
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
CE : 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, remote fuel-door and decklid release, automatic headlights, 185/65R15 tires, wheel covers
S adds: leather-wrapped steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, power door locks, map lights, fog lights, 195/65R15 tires
LE adds to CE: height-adjustable driver seat, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, map lights, 195/65R15 tires

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Sport Plus Pkg.	S	$825	$660
Rear spoiler, alloy wheels.
Power Pkg.	S	605	484
Power windows, remote keyless entry.
Leather Pkg.	LE	1050	840
Leather Pkg.	LE ordered w/power sunroof	900	720
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, automatic day/night rearview mirror (deleted by power sunroof).
All Weather Guard Pkg.		70	59
Heavy-duty heater, rear heat ducts.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Front side airbags		250	215
Antilock brakes		300	258
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof	S, LE	750	600
LE requires Leather Pkg.
Cruise control		250	200
Power door locks	CE	295	236
AM/FM/cassette/CD player	CE, S	100	75
Premium AM/FM/cassette/CD player	LE	140	105
Upgraded sound system	S, LE	40	30
Cargo net		48	32
Cargo logic mat		119	75
Cargo logic tote		49	30
Preferred Accessory Pkg.		177	112
Carpeted floormats, cargo mat, cargo net.
Carpeted floormats CF		76	48
All weather floormats		90	58
Requires floormats CF.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Security system	S, LE	319	199
S requires Power Pkg.
Gold Pkg.		179	119
Wheel locks		55	34
Requires alloy wheels.
Alloy wheels		499	399
Alloy wheels	LE	390	312

2004 Toyota Corolla	Pricing Effective: 04/26/2004
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
CE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 13,570	$ 12,550	$ 515
CE 4-door sedan, automatic	14,370	13,290	515
S 4-door sedan, manual	14,515	13,135	515
S 4-door sedan, automatic	15,315	13,859	515
LE 4-door sedan, manual	14,780	13,374	515
LE 4-door sedan, automatic	15,580	14,098	515
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors. XRS price and equipment not available at time of publication.

Standard Equipment
CE : 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, remote fuel-door and decklid release, 185/65R15 tires, wheel covers
S adds: leather-wrapped steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, power door locks, map lights, fog lights, 195/65R15 tires
LE adds to CE: height-adjustable driver seat, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, 195/65R15 tires

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 51

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2005 Toyota Corolla	Pricing Effective: 06/03/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
CE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 13,780	$ 12,744	$ 540
CE 4-door sedan, automatic	14,580	13,484	540
S 4-door sedan, manual	14,825	13,416	540
S 4-door sedan, automatic	15,625	14,140	540
LE 4-door sedan, manual	14,990	13,563	540
LE 4-door sedan, automatic	15,790	14,287	540
XRS 4-door sedan, manual	17,555	15,886	540
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
CE : 1.8-liter 130-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, 185/65R15 tires, wheel covers
LE adds: tire-pressure monitor, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, 195/65R15 tires
S adds to CE: leather-wrapped steering wheel, power door locks, map lights, fog lights, 195/65R15 tires
XRS adds: 1.8-liter 170-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, cruise control, rear spoiler, sport suspension, 195/55R16 tires, alloy wheels, (Deletes split folding rear seat)

Optional Equipment
Option Note: Postproduction options also available.
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Convenience Pkg.	CE manual	$345	$310
Convenience Pkg.	CE automatic	375	337
Cruise control, power door locks.
Power Pkg.	S, XRS	605	484
Power windows, remote keyless entry.
Enhanced Power Pkg.	S	500	450
Power Pkg. plus cruise control.
Sport Plus Pkg.	S	825	660
Rear spoiler, alloy wheels.
Extra Value Pkg. 1	S	900	810
Power windows, remote keyless entry, rear spoiler, alloy wheels.
Audio Value Pkg.	LE	200	180
Cruise control, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.
JBL Value Pkg.	LE	510	459
Cruise control, JBL AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.
Leather Pkg.	LE	900	720
Leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
Moon Roof/Side Airbags Pkg.	S, LE, XRS	1400	1159
Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, power sunroof.
All Weather Guard Pkg.		70	59
Heavy-duty heater, rear heat ducts.
Preferred Accessory Pkg.		194	123
Cargo net and mat, floormats.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Front side airbags		655	563
Includes curtain side airbags.
Antilock brakes	CE, S, LE	390	335
Includes tire-pressure monitor.
Antiskid system	S, LE	650	559
Includes traction control. Requires automatic transmission, antilock brakes.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof	S, LE, XRS	750	600
Cruise control	CE, S, LE	250	200
Power door locks	CE manual	295	236
Power door locks	CE automatic	325	260
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	LE	200	150
JBL AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	LE	510	383
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Alloy wheels	CE, S	499	399
Alloy wheels	LE	390	312

2006 Toyota Corolla	Pricing Effective: 06/13/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
CE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 14,005	$ 12,954	$ 580
CE 4-door sedan, automatic	14,805	13,694	580
S 4-door sedan, manual	15,050	13,619	580
S 4-door sedan, automatic	15,850	14,343	580
LE 4-door sedan, manual	15,215	13,769	580
LE 4-door sedan, automatic	16,015	14,493	580
XRS 4-door sedan, manual	17,780	16,089	580
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Standard Equipment
CE : 1.8-liter 126-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release, air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, 185/65R15 tires, wheel covers
LE adds: power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights, 195/65R15 tires
S adds to CE: leather-wrapped steering wheel, power door locks, map lights, fog lights, 195/65R15 tires
XRS adds: 1.8-liter 164-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, cruise control, rear spoiler, sport suspension, 195/55R16 tires, alloy wheels, (Deletes split folding rear seat)

2007 Toyota Corolla	Pricing Effective: 01/24/2007
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
CE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 14,305	$ 13,232	$ 620
CE 4-door sedan, automatic	15,105	13,972	620
S 4-door sedan, manual	15,350	13,891	620
S 4-door sedan, automatic	16,150	14,615	620
LE 4-door sedan, manual	15,515	14,040	620
LE 4-door sedan, automatic	16,315	14,764	620
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

2008 Toyota Corolla	Pricing Effective: 10/02/2007
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
CE 4-door sedan, manual	$ 14,405	$ 13,324	$ 660
CE 4-door sedan, automatic	15,205	14,064	660
S 4-door sedan, manual	15,450	13,981	660
S 4-door sedan, automatic	16,250	14,705	660
LE 4-door sedan, manual	15,615	14,131	660
LE 4-door sedan, automatic	16,415	14,855	660
Price Note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.