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2011 Toyota Corolla

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Rating7.6

Ranked #6 in 

Compact Sedan
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$15,900 - $18,600
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 18, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Fuel-efficient engine

Interior quality is not up to the mark

Redesigned exterior

Smooth ride quality

Steering lacks a lot of feedback

2.4L engine discontinued

Well-insulated cabin for the segment

Sluggish automatic gearbox

Standard Toyota Care Complimentary Maintenance Program

Excellent safety for the price

Specs & Features

$16,700

price

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

4-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.8L 4cyl FWD 4A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

With a completely refreshed exterior, the 2011 Toyota Corolla is back for another stint. It still provides a very good value proposition in terms of reliability, solid build quality, and inexpensive maintenance. Available in over 3 trim configurations, prices for the 2011 Corolla start from an MSRP of $15,900. Moreover, with the same feature list, the affordable compact sedan goes up against the likes of the Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra, and the Kia Forte.

Coming over to the powertrain front, the 132 hp 1.8L Inline-4 engine is the only standard unit in the lineup. The previously available 2.4L variant has for now been sidelined. With a spacious seating capacity for 5, Corolla does offer a spacious and practical interior setup. A good daily driver, the Toyota Corolla is every car manufacturer's dream car, especially when it comes to ringing the sales registers and bringing in constant profits.

Buying Advice

The Toyota Corolla’s base trim is too basic for one’s tastes, but does good for the one who wants a bare-bones car. For the others, we recommend the LE trim that adds a lot of convenience features and also adds the opportunity to customize the car via packages and options which further enable the influx of some of the goodies of the range-topping trim. 

Read More +

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2011 Toyota Corolla perfectly demonstrates how to combine practicality with outright decent performance capabilities. The Corolla has always been one of the highest sellers in a segment where all the people are out to get the best possible deal out of a car. That said, it has very tough competition from the likes of the Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, the Hyundai Elantra, and the Kia Forte in terms of which car is out there to provide the most out of each dollar spent.

Features
8.0/10

The 2011 Toyota Corolla gets all the heat because of how well-priced the trims are, with the range starting at $15,900 for the L trim that comes standard with a manual gearbox. An automatic gearbox is available but costs $800 extra, and the same goes with the range-topping S trim. In terms of features, the L trim comes standard with the bare necessities that ensure a good drive for daily commutes, with the options pouring on the LE and the S trim. 

Trims

L

LE

S

MSRP (Manual)

$15,900

N/A

$17,770

MSRP (Automatic)

$16,700

$17,600

$18,600

Key features

15-inch steel wheels

Adding to L trim

Adding to LE trim
 

Air-conditioning

keyless entry

16-inch alloy wheels
 

Power mirrors

power windows

rear spoiler
 

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

power locks

sport-look body kit
 

60/40-split-folding rear seat

variable intermittent wipers

upgraded cloth upholstery
 

Height-adjustable driver seat

cruise control

upgraded trip computer
 

Four-speaker sound system

Six-speaker setup

steering-wheel audio controls
 

Auxiliary audio jack

    

We recommend

The 2011 Toyota Corolla’s base trim is too basic for one’s tastes but does good for the one who wants a bare-bones car. For the others, we recommend the LE trim that adds a lot of convenience features and also adds the opportunity to customize the car via packages and options which further enable the influx of some of the goodies of the range-topping trim.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is powered by a 1.8L Inline-4 engine which is primarily aimed towards providing fuel economy, while also outputting decent acceleration figures. That said, the EPA estimates the 2011 Corolla to give 28 MPG in the city, 35 MPG on the highway, along with a combined rating of 31 MPG from its 13.2-gallon fuel tank. If one opts for the 4-speed automatic, the ratings drop to 26/34/29 respectively. On a wider spectrum, the drop isn’t considering the ease of driving the automatic transmission brings in. 

Models

2011 Toyota Corolla

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Hyundai Elantra

2011 Kia Forte

MPG (City)

28

24

27

25

MPG (Highway)

35

34

37

37

MPG (Combined)

31

28

31

29

Fuel Capacity

13.2 gallons

14.5 gallons

12.8 gallons

13.2 gallons

Range (City/ Highway/Combined) (Miles)

369/462/409

348/493/406

345/473/396

330/488/382

The Corolla’s engine is pretty fuel-efficient in the city and posts the highest numbers in the comparison but, while on the highway, both the Hyundai and the Kia provide a bit more efficiency, averaging 37 MPG which translates to more highway range, in case of the Kia. The VW’s bigger engine might not be the most frugal, but remains the one with the most highway range of 493 miles which is primarily aided by the biggest fuel tank in the segment. 

Interior
8.0/10

Inside, the 2011 Toyota Corolla is as basic as its price suggests with the amenities pouring in from the LE trim onwards. The L has a very basic monotone dashboard that houses the AC vents, and the infotainment system whereas the higher trims add some soft-touch points as well as a dual-tone scheme to make the visuals better. The center console and the door panels remain basic, with some cubby spaces to hold stuff and, in the center console, a couple of cupholders.

The seats on the Corolla are surprisingly comfortable and are the best companion for one who is considering a very comfortable office commute, every day. Manually adjustable seats are standard across the range, with height-adjustability available only for the driver’s side. The higher trims get upgraded cloth upholstery that brings in some design changes to make the visuals better. The rear seats offer a decent amount of space but the bench is a bit too low for taller passengers which might make the long drives uncomfortable.

Models

2011 Toyota Corolla

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Hyundai Elantra

2011 Kia Forte

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.8/54.8/41.7

38.2/55.2/41.2

40.0/55.9/43.6

39.1/56.1/42.2

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.2/54.7/36.3

37.1/53.6/38.1

37.1/54.8/33.1

37.3/54.9/35.9

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

12.3

15.5

14.8

14.9

Talking of cargo capacity, the Corolla’s trunk of 12.3 cu.-ft is the smallest in the comparison but the trunk opening makes loading and unloading easy while also aiding in sliding stuff in. The 2011 Toyota Corolla comes standard with a very basic infotainment system that is carried on to other trims as well. The system shows the current radio station tuned in to, or the current track playing and comes with a 4-speaker set up as standard, which is upgraded to a 6-speaker unit from the LE trim onwards and, for the range-topping trim, includes Bluetooth and iPod/USB audio interface. These upgraded audio system features are available on the LE as a part of the Premium package.

The interior of the car is highlighted by:

  • Cloth upholstery
  • Trip computer
  • Steering-wheel audio controls
  • Power locks
  • Air-conditioning
  • Power windows (optional on L trim)
  • Power mirrors
  • Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
  • 60/40-split-folding rear seat
  • Height-adjustable driver seat

Exterior
6.0/10

The 2011 Toyota Corolla gets an exterior design refresh and now looks more aggressive and pleasing in terms of how the design panned out. The front fascia now has a new grille and new headlight design with a blacked-out surround and a new fog lamp design. The front bumper has also been tweaked but the changes aren’t significant.

The side of the car remains as simple as the previous model years with a typical sedan look. The rear now gets a new LED tail lamp design and a more aggressive rear bumper. The range-topping trim also gets a spoiler which adds to the visuals, but none to the aerodynamics. 

Models

2011 Toyota Corolla

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Hyundai Elantra

2011 Kia Forte

Curb Weight (lbs.)

2,767

2,804

2,773

2,736

Length (inches)

180.0

182.2

179.1

179.5

Width (inches)

69.4

70.0

69.9

70.1

Height (inches)

57.7

57.2

56.3

56.5

Ground Clearance (inches)

5.8

5.5

5.3

5.5

Wheelbase (inches)

102.4

104.4

106.3

106.3

The Kia Forte is lighter than the Corolla and has better proportions that are also seen in the interior as well. The Corolla is one of the lightest sedans in the segment with the lowest width and the most height, which carves in space inside. Its shorter wheelbase also helps in handling and maneuvering in the city and through tight spaces.

The 2011 redesign has lent an aggressive look to the sedan, which is highlighted by:

  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Power windows
  • Power mirrors
  • Daytime running lamps
  • LED tail lamps
  • Fog lamps
  • Optional sunroof
  • Sporty body kit and rear spoiler on range-topping trim

Safety
8.0/10

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is a pretty safe car with a rigid chassis and all the necessary safety features that are there in modern cars. In terms of driver-assistance features, Corolla’s list is rather scarce with only cruise control on offer that too on the LE trim. There are no other driver assistance features available but the car has held itself pretty well when tested to the mettle, scoring the 2011 Top Safety Pick for the “SMALL CAR / 4-DOOR SEDAN” by the IIHS while the NHTSA gives a 3-star rating.

Some of the highlighting features in Corolla’s safety list are:

  • 4-wheel ABS
  • Stability control 
  • Smart Stop braking technology
  • Daytime running lamps
  • 6 airbags
  • Tire pressure monitor
  • Front seat active headrests

Final Verdict

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is a basic car that does everything that a person expects of a daily driver with no frills whatsoever. There is ample comfort for your commutes, with some interior features that add to the comfort but begin from the LE trim onwards. The driving experience is pretty normal and the engine is pretty fuel-efficient with a decent range. The one thing that Corolla excels at is reliability and if that’s your major preference, the 2011 Corolla is the answer to your next commuter.

Trims

    Base
    $15,900 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    L
    $15,900 onwards
    • Engine: 1.8L 4cyl 4A
    • Horsepower: 132 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    LE
    $17,600 onwards
    • Heated mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    S
    $17,770 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights

Compare to similar cars

7.6
2011 Toyota Corolla

Price

$15,900- $18,600

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.61

Horsepower

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

7.9
2011 Chevrolet Cruze

$16,525- $22,225

Gasoline

7.88

136 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

8.2
2011 Ford Fusion

$19,850- $29,000

Gasoline

8.22

175 hp @ 6000 rpm

172 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2011 Ford Focus

$16,640- $19,670

Gasoline

7.96

140 hp @ 6000 rpm

136 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

7.7
2011 Ford Fiesta

$13,200- $17,500

Gasoline

7.68

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

8.1
2011 Honda Civic

$15,605- $25,490

Gasoline

8.05

140 hp @ 6300 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

8.1
2011 Honda Accord

$21,380- $31,930

Gasoline

8.06

177 hp @ 6500 rpm

161 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

8.3
2011 Hyundai Sonata

$19,395- $27,245

Gasoline

8.25

198 hp @ 6300 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2011 Hyundai Elantra

$14,945- $20,195

Gasoline

7.97

148 hp @ 6500 rpm

131 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

5

Read Review

7.4
2011 Hyundai Accent

$9,985- $16,145

Gasoline

7.42

110 hp @ 6000 rpm

106 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

2011 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		9.9 sec17.2 sec116 mph
    		7.1 sec--
    2011 Saab 9-3

    Ranked #2

    		7.4 sec--
    		8 sec--
    		8.01 sec--
    		8.1 sec16.3 sec-
    Read More

    2011 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		28 mpg35 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/462 mi.
      		29 mpg37 mpg32 mpg16 gal.336/444 mi.
      		28 mpg38 mpg32 mpg12.8 gal.358.4/486.4 mi.
      		27 mpg34 mpg30 mpg11.9 gal.333.2/404.6 mi.
      		22 mpg36 mpg30 mpg15.6 gal.405.6/561.6 mi.
      		25 mpg34 mpg29 mpg13.7 gal.342.5/465.8 mi.

      2011 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		180 in.69.4 in.57.7 in.5.8 in.102.4 in.
        		194.1 in.72.7 in.58.1 in.6 in.110.2 in.
        		191.1 in.72.4 in.57.9 in.5.9 in.108.3 in.
        		190.7 in.70.7 in.58 in.5.4 in.109.3 in.
        		190.6 in.72.2 in.56.8 in.5 in.107.4 in.
        		189.8 in.72.2 in.57.9 in.5.5 in.110 in.

        2011 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		12.3 cu.ft.92.1 cu.ft.-
          		14.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.217.3 cu.ft.
          		12 cu.ft.90.9 cu.ft.6 cu.ft.
          		15.5 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.168 cu.ft.
          2011 Mazda 3

          Ranked #4

          		11.8 cu.ft.94.1 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.
          		13.8 cu.ft.93.4 cu.ft.61 cu.ft.

          2011 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            		SourceCompare
            		-12.3 cu.ft.--
            2011 Mazda 3

            Ranked #2

            		95.2 cu.ft.11.8 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.-
            2011 Saab 9-3

            Ranked #3

            		15 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.-
            		18.6 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.-
            		170.4 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.6 cu.ft.-
            		83.1 cu.ft.13.8 cu.ft.61 cu.ft.79 ft.

            2011 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		1500 lbs.-2734 lbs.
              		2000 lbs.1157 lbs.3075 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.1219 lbs.3102 lbs.
              		-1131 lbs.2661 lbs.
              		--3279 lbs.
              		-827 lbs.2672 lbs.

              2011 Toyota Corolla Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              9

              Recalls

              2

              Investigations

              586

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              #5

              2011 Toyota Tundra

              Horsepower : 236 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

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              #6

              2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

              Horsepower : 231 hp @ 5800 rpm

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              #7

              2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 33 mpg

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              #8

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              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 5800 rpm

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              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 5800 rpm

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              #10

              2011 Toyota Corolla User Reviews

              0.0

              [2 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              MKW

              Mary Katherine Woods

              2012 Toyota Corolla

              L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 24, 2024

              2012 Toyota Corolla S

              Pros - ["dependability, style and punch", "12 year old paint still looks good, moonroof"]

              Cons - ["Plastic bumpers", "would love the new 2.0 Corolla."]

              This car is still running and looks great. The 1.8 L really packs a punch when needed. A lot of power for a small compact. Great road handling and averages 30mpg . Still alive and kicking. Love my old girl.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review
              KRM

              Kenneth R Mohler

              2010 Toyota Corolla

              4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 4, 2024

              275,000 miles

              Pros - ["Reliable everyday", "Great MPG even in town", "Smooth ride"]

              Cons - ["Seatbelt hard to reach", "plain looking", "Too low of ride"]

              At 275k gets 32 MPG around town and 35 at 55 mph on highway, only replace alternator, axle and battery beyond oil changes. My neighbor is taking bets if it will reach 500,000 with original motor and tranny. Lady I take to Grand Rapids about every third month, says the back seat is the most comfortable.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

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