Toyota Corolla 2006

Summary

Toyota Corolla is among the best of the compact sedans: reliable and economical yet refined and comfortable.

Full Review 2006

The best of the lineup, in our opinion, is the top-of-the-line Corolla LE, a luxurious compact when equipped with the optional leather interior and JBL audio system. However, the base Corolla CE offers an excellent value and comes standard with air conditioning, while the mid-level Corolla S is well-equipped with popular features.

The sporty Corolla XRS features a specially tuned suspension and a more powerful, 164-horsepower 1.8-liter engine that propels the car from 0 to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. Corolla earns an EPA-estimated 32/40 mpg City/Highway when equipped with a manual transmission. Both the manual and the automatic transmissions offer smooth shifting, and the manual is very easy to operate. All models have a smooth, comfortable ride and responsive handling.

Safety is enhanced by ordering optional curtain-style airbags and side-impact airbags designed to provide additional head and torso protection in a side-impact. Optional anti-lock brakes help the driver maintain steering control after slamming on the brakes. Crash testing indicates the Corolla is one of the safest cars in its class. 

Trims and Styling 2006 

Toyota Corolla comes in one body style, a four-door sedan (not counting the Matrix). The Corolla CE, S, and LE come with a 126-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. The Corolla XRS gets a 164-horsepower engine. Actual performance of the engines remains unchanged from 2005 models.) The 2006 Corolla line carries over with no significant changes. 

The Corolla CE is available with a five-speed manual transmission ($14,005) or a four-speed automatic ($14,805). The CE comes standard with air conditioning (with an air filter), AM/FM/CD stereo system, power steering, tilt steering column, tachometer, intermittent wipers, digital clock, outside temperature gauge, trunk lamp, and a dome light with delay.

Corolla S, available with the manual ($15,050) or automatic ($15,850), gets wider 195/65R15 tires and sporty styling cues: smoked headlight lens extenders, integrated fog lamps, and an aerodynamic body package with color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers, rocker panel extensions, and rear mud guards. Inside, the S gets a unique cloth interior, a sporty tachometer, chrome accents, and a nice leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The S is also upgraded with power door locks, power mirrors, a vertical seat-height adjustment, and mirror-mounted map lights. Power windows with keyless entry and cruise control are included in the optional Enhanced Power Package ($500).

Corolla LE manual ($15,215) and automatic ($16,015) are upgraded with popular convenience features, including power windows, remote keyless entry, halogen headlamps, and variable intermittent wipers. Inside, the LE gets wood-like trim and upgraded cloth seating surfaces. An optional leather package ($650) is available for the LE that gives the car a luxurious look and feel and includes cruise control. Aluminum wheels ($390) are available, which improve the appearance of the LE and should improve its handling slightly.

Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution ($300) is an optional and we recommend it; ABS helps the driver maintain steering control in an emergency braking situation, while EBD helps maintain full braking pressure even if the driver makes the common mistake of relaxing pedal pressure. Optional Vehicle Stability Control ($650) helps the driver maintain control in corners by compensating for skids.

The Corolla XRS ($17,780) is powered by a 164-horsepower 1.8-liter mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The XRS features a sport-tuned suspension with revised steering and 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Michelin performance tires (an upgrade from the standard 15-inch wheels on all other Corolla grades). Special interior and exterior trim distinguishes the XRS. Additional standard equipment includes anti-lock brakes with tire-pressure monitors, front and rear disc brakes, and cruise control.

The Corolla looks like a small Camry. Corolla comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, but looks like it could do with larger wheels and tires that would fill out the wheel wells more effectively. Aluminum 15-inch wheels ($390) are an option for LE models. 

At the rear, the Corolla has a high trunk line in keeping with the car's high belt line. Part of the taillight module is actually mounted in the trunk lid. The Corolla's looks and handling are enhanced by its relatively long wheelbase and relatively short overhangs front and rear. The Corolla S is distinguished by its sporty front spoiler, body-colored side rocker panels and rear skirt, along with its fog lamps and smoked headlamp masking.

The XRS gets 16-inch wheels that visually fill the wheel wells better. Distinguishing the XRS are a rear color-keyed spoiler, a color-keyed bezel surrounding the grille, and unique badges. 

Styling and Interior Features 

The Corolla's interior doesn't feel like a small car nor does it feel cheap, like many compacts do.

Seat belts are provided for a third rear-seat passenger, but there's little space for such a person.

Even the doors shut with a pleasant thud thanks to sound deadening felt mounted inside the door panels. Take a look inside a Corolla LE with optional leather seating and you could easily imagine you're looking inside a luxury car instead of a $17,000 compact. The leather seats have a luxurious soft pleated finish, while the center console and door panels have wood-like veneer trim. The XRS gets sport seats, a silver-colored instrument cluster and switch plates, Lexus-like Optitron gauges, and a leather-like shift boot and leather shift knob.

Three large round knobs for the heating and air conditioning system are located below the radio. The glove box is big and there are small pockets in each door. The rear seats are split 60/40 to allow access from the trunk.

First Drive 2006 

The Toyota Corolla is smooth, convenient, and easy to drive. The standard 126-horsepower four-cylinder engine is quiet, smooth and refined. It delivers brisk acceleration performance with a broad power band for nice, linear acceleration. There is no difference in engine, transmission or suspension between the CE, S, and LE trim levels.

The electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is nicely matched with the engine. It shifts easily via a relatively tall shifter. Body roll, or lean, is minimal and the car feels secure and stable at all speeds. The Corolla handles well, though those who enjoy the crisp handling of a sports sedan may want to opt for the XRS, which has a slightly stiffer suspension.

EPA fuel economy is rated 25/32 City/Highway. The XRS features a sport-tuned suspension with higher-rate coil springs and shocks and a lower ride height (a half-inch lower). Larger 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels come with Michelin performance tires. The revised steering system features a more rigid steering column, designed to improve response. A power steering rack specially developed for the XRS allows for better steering feedback.

The XRS is not a high-performance sport compact car, however. Overall, the Corolla XRS is a terrific compact four-door sedan that's just a little sportier than the rest of the line.

Full Review 2006

The Toyota Corolla is a sophisticated and utterly reliable compact sedan. Edmunds.com praises the "quintessential economy car". Consumerguideautomotive.howstuffworks.com loves the gas economy of the 2006 Corolla. It features a high-quality, ergonomically excellent interior with comfortable, supportive seats. The interior is particularly well suited for shorter drivers. The rear seats are roomy and relatively comfortable and the trunk is big for this class.