Overview & Reviews

Completely redesigned, the 2009 Toyota Corolla looks much the same as last year's model but is a bit larger inside and out. Highlights on the new car include an available 2.4-liter engine and a navigation system.

• Smooth and controlled ride, excellent fuel economy with base 1.8-liter engine, attractive and ergonomic interior design, lengthy features list.

• Oddly weighted electric-assist steering, so-so gas mileage with 2.4-liter engine.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 290.00

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  First and last toyota - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By yota - January 2 - 7:10 pm

  This is the worst car Ive ever driven. Whatever small gains you get from the electric steering assist are nullified by any small gust of wind. You cant relax in a car when youre blowing all over the highway in the slightest wind. Furthermore, the seats are doughy and unsupportive. If youve ever had lower back problems in any car, this one will bring them right back. My Volkswagen had firm, supportive seats and I forgot what it was like to have a sore back after a trip - until now. Cheap backseats too - pull on a corner when theyre "locked" and it will have enough give for you (or a criminal) to reach into the trunk. Awful creamsicle backlighting treatment on the dash too.

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  Is Toyota losing their touch? - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By johnhlanding - March 18 - 12:59 am

  This is my second toyota and has come to be very disappointing. The build quality, cheap parts, and overall value of the car is terrible. My biggest issue is oil consumption. The car uses at least 1 quart of oil a week. The dealer says nothing is wrong. Other reviews online point out the same issue. My life now consists of weekly visits to an instant oil change place to get it topped off. Thank God it is free! Otherwise I would go bankrupt just buying oil to refill it with. The steering is awful at high speeds. I fear that Toyota is becoming the Japanese version of GM. I guess I will try my luck with Honda or maybe Ford if I am forced to find another vehicle.

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  Will never buy a Toyota again - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By RG - December 8 - 2:46 am

  I have owned several Toyotas in the past and have never had as many problems as I did with this so called "well built and reliable car". I had problems with this car from day one. Electric power steering was replaced. Belt Tensioner problems, strange noise from Transmission. So many squeaks and rattles in the car, you would think it was built with Legos. I was just waiting for this car to fall apart and leave me sitting on the pavement. I can see why the NUMMI plant is closing. What happened to Toyota quality. I am glad I dumped this car for a 2010 Nissan Sentra 2.0S.

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  Thinkin this was the best for fuel - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By BEARBORG - June 19 - 5:53 pm

  Driven the car for 7.5 months (50,000 KM-now)and I am extremely disappointed as its not fuel efficient at all! All I have been told is...wait for engine break-in. Only made 26 mi/gal (doing 95% highway driving) in the Winter, now up to 32 mi/gal in Spring. Ive complained each month about the fuel economy when taking the car in for reg. oil changes. The other items I have had continual problems with are: air leakage by your head-along windows, squealing fan belt, flat tires that will not hold patches and plugs, these are constant and ongoing. I built cars on the internet comparing/researching prior to buying...due to the miles I make. My goals were gas savings,comfort,value.. Nothing was met

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  Worst car I ever drove - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Joni - April 30 - 11:20 am

  Purchased the car a month ago and will be getting rid of it just as fast.  The car drifts on the highway especially in the wind in speeds of 50 and over.  You cant take your hands off the steering wheel even to turn on the radio. When driving behind a truck, same thing.  Cant believe Toyota could let this thing on the road.  Seats are very uncomfortable. Will never buy another Corolla again.

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  I hate what you do for me Toyota. - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By mcgovern1981 - April 24 - 10:27 am

  Sort and sweet. 3 recalls unsure if my car was ever safe to drive. An interior that constantly squeaks. Finally the last straw at 68k Im told I need a new transmission because Im getting a clicking noise whenever I take my foot of the gas they say its a broken tooth on the pinion drive gear..... Theres your legendary reliability. I wonder how much pro reviewers get paid to praise these cars.

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  Update - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Joel Hall - November 2 - 12:03 pm

  This review is to update my previous review. Please take your 2009 Corolla for a highway test drive - I wish I had. Toyota Canada can not fix a vibration / shudder at highway speeds. I have had it in numerous times for repairs - even a team from L.A. could not resolve the problem . Apparently Japan is looking for a "fix". I am picking up my brand new GM product tomorrow - Toyota has lost a customer for life. I was pleased with the effort Toyota made in the repairs but totally disappointed in the end result - they simply left me hanging with a defective car.

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  Thank god its gone! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By electricwitch - October 5 - 10:43 pm

  Just traded my 2009 corolla S in today for a Honda CR-V. The corolla had a clutch issue. Constantly stalling in traffic. I mentioned it to the dealer, they just insinuated that I needed more "practice with clutch". Well, 35 years is a lot. My other car has a clutch, no problem there and anyone who drove this corolla had issues also. Paid 19k. It was only worth 9k a little over a year later. Cramped, zero headroom, cheap paint job, plastic parts that snap in the cold. It did have good gas mileage tho, and I could have dealt with all of the cosmetic stuff, but the stalling out in traffic thing is just plain dangerous. Didnt want to wait for a recall and maybe become a statistic. Shame on you Toyota!

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  My Last Toyota - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By C.S. - December 25 - 7:26 pm

  Bought this for reliability, safety, and fuel economy and expected such from Toyota. Since then, there have been 2 recalls on the car. The latest is for unintended acceleration! I see this as a serious safety issue and would strongly discourage anyone to purchase this car for that reason alone. Ill probably trade it asap. On the surface it seems like a decent car. The mpg is fantastic. The trunk and interior is spacious for its class and the mp3 player jack is nice. However, the cheap plastics have began to rattle. Both the seats and plastics show wear after only a year. It just doesnt seem to be made to last. Even though I knew its not a sports car, its boring to drive.

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  Extremely disappointed - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Nicole - August 20 - 3:14 pm

  I wish I had had the car checked out by my mechanic friend before buying. I spent way too much on this car thinking Id finally have a reliable car only to have so many problems with this one!!! Im so frustrated right now. The transmission just went out after already spending money on it to get it fixed up. It looks great like theres nothing wrong with it. Ive only had it for three months. Im so bummed that I wasted my money on a worthless car!! Please think twice about buying this car, especially not a 2009. Those apparently have the most problems. Little did I know.