2011 Toyota Corolla Competitors
<a href='http://iguida.com/2012-honda-civic'>[U]2012 Honda Civic[/U]</a>: Corolla’s arch rival for compact-class sales leadership is redesigned for model-year 2012 and went on sale in April 2011. The 2012 Civic is actually slightly smaller on the outside than the 2006-2011 generation it replaces. But the sedan version is roomier inside and, along with the returning two-door coupe, gets better fuel economy. Civic’s new styling is familiar and evolutionary; it’s still contemporary though not nearly as wild as that of the 2012 Ford Focus or the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The balance of comfort, spaciousness, and refined road manners are among the very best in class, however. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 140 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque is again the base engine. It rates 28/36 mpg with the five-speed manual transmission and 28/39 with the five-speed automatic. A high-fuel-economy edition rates 29/41 with the automatic. The sporty Si model returns in sedan and coupe form and has a four-cylinder of 201 horsepower and 170 pound-feet. A gas-electric Hybrid sedan also is back and rates an impressive 44/44 mpg. Base price range for mainstream sedans is $16,555-$24,205. Si models start at $22,995. The Hybrid is priced from $24,800.
2011 Hyundai Elantra: All new and ready to take on the world, the 2011 Elantra sedan burst onto the compact scene with gorgeous new sheet metal and fuel-economy ratings of 29/40 mpg. Those ratings hold for every model in the lineup, and with both the six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic. Longer but lower and lighter than the yawn-inducing 2006-2010 sedan, the redesigned Elantra has a new 148-horsepower four-cylinder and a long list of standard features, including a match for Toyota’s Start Safety System. A navigation system, leather upholstery, USB iPod interface, and Bluetooth also are on tap. This sedan is built at the South Korean automaker’s plant in Alabama and is nicely outfitted with high-grade cabin materials. Hyundai’s generous warranty coverage adds to the value proposition. Base price is $15,550 with manual transmission and range from $17,800-$22,700 with the automatic transmission.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze: The 2012 Ford Focus should be high on any compact-car shopping list, but frankly, its aggressive Euro-flavored styling and Gen-Y interior design are likely to alienate the typical Corolla shopper. Enter the handsome but conservatively designed Chevy Cruze, introduced for model-year 2011 to replace the unlamented Cobalt. Cruze is a four-door sedan that’s a sliver larger inside than the Corolla and every bit as solid and just as quiet. It also rides and handles with a degree of tautness the Toyota lacks. Powertrain refinement isn’t a high point, and neither is output, with a choice of a base four-cylinder of 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque or a turbo four with 138 and 148, respectively. Transmissions are up to date, however, with manual and automatics of six speeds. Base-engine fuel economy is 26/36 mpg with manual, 22/35 with automatic. The turbo rates 24/36 mpg with automatic and, in special high-mileage Eco trim, 28/42 with manual and 26/37 with automatic. Base prices start at $16,995 with the base engine and range from $18,895-$22,695 with the turbo.
Source 2011 Toyota Corolla Review and Prices | iGuida