2009 Toyota Corolla Review & Road Test
March 13, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 Toyota Corolla Ultima Review & Road Test
Corolling in ultimate style
Model Tested:
- 2009 Toyota ZRE152R Corolla Ultima 1.8-litre, automatic, sedan – $31,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint $350 (Fitted – Shimmer)
Pleasant & smooth drive, crisp instrumentation, roomy cabin
A touch pricey, asthmatic performance, conservatively styled
CarAdvice Rating: 
A lot of people refer to the humble yet popular Corolla as “white goods” motoring which, if you are to take the glass half-full attitude, translates to a reliable, affordable and necessary piece of household equipment – not such a bad thing.
That being the case then in our push-button, touch-screen world it could well be said that the Corolla Ultima is indeed white goods motoring in the truest sense of the meaning – albeit with a stainless steel finish.
Though it might be viewed as conservative stylistically, the Corolla Ultima does set itself rightly at the top of the model range with a few subtle styling cues lending the upper spec sedan a little more class than its poorer siblings.
Handsome 16-inch alloy wheels with front and rear mudflaps, xenon-bulbed auto headlamps with washers and height adjustment, front fog lamps and chrome bright work under the side glass all do their bit in adding to the car’s overall appeal, without that is challenging convention or making any elitist statements.
Inside the roomy and well laid-out cabin you’ll find all the mod-cons you would expect of a top shelf small sedan including leather upholstery, leather wrapped tilt/slide steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, single-zone climate control, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, smart card entry with push button starter, trip computer, power windows and mirrors and a six CD tuner with Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and auxiliary input.
The instrumentation, known as an ‘Optitron Combimetre’ in Toyota speak, is a stand-out item for me as it is very attractive, crisp, and informative while at the same time being simple to navigate. All ancillary controls too fall readily to hand providing no challenge to those who might be challenged by the whizz-bang equipment levels found in some similarly spec’ed rivals.
While the gadgetary offerings from the Corolla Ultima are indeed rewarding, the performance on hand is anything but, and while it’s certainly not the worst performing car I’ve driven in this category, the 1.8-litre VVTi four-cylinder it is a little asthmatic, especially with four adults on board.
Developing 100kW @ 6000rpm (and 175Nm @ 4400rpm) the written down figure isn’t really the issue, it’s the car’s ability to utilise the power effectively which is hampered primarily by a dated and slow to react four-speed automatic.
Although the transmission is very smooth of shift it is reluctant to kick-down in a timely manner meaning overtaking opportunities need to be a long planned affair. But should you intend a more leisurely, city-based role for your own Corolla Ultima this may not prove such an issue.
The ride is above average, comfortably settled yet not so firm as to be bothersome, and despite the torsion beam rear end (strut front), the Corolla Ultima manages fairly confident handling that is now assisted by ESP (or VSC in Toyota terms).
Add to this dual front, side, curtain and a driver’s knee airbag, as well as ABS with EBA and EBD, then it is a given the Corolla Ultima will achieve maximum points when next ANCAP tested (Corolla has not yet been tested with ESP – previous model scored 34.96 out of a possible 37 points to achieve five-stars).
Light but true steering feel somehow offers the driver an unremarkable level of feedback from the front wheels once at highway speeds while contrarily braking is sure and progressive with fade evident only after repeated excessive application.
An ample boot allows 450-litres of cargo to be carried with the seats up though this can be nearly doubled thanks to a 60:40 split fold back seat. The boot also houses a full-size (steel) spare wheel under the floor.
So while it may not get your heart racing in terms of looks or performance the Corolla Ultima is a pleasant and smooth drive with enough in the way of comfort and kit to keep you abreast of modern small-sedan motoring.
Were it a little cheaper the Corolla Ultima would have scored higher in our ratings but with Korea’s top-shelf rivals offering the same level of spec’ for much less coin it’s a worthy 3.5 wheels.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 1798cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
- Power: 100kW @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 175Nm @ 4400rpm
- Induction: Multi-Point
- Transmission: Four-speed automatic
- Driven Wheels: Front
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 192km/h
- 0-100km/h: 11.1 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 173 grams per kilometre
- Fuel Consumption: 7.4 litres per 100km (ADR)
- Fuel Consumption: 8.5 litres per 100km (As Tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
- Fuel Type: 91RON Petrol
- ANCAP Rating: New model TBC (previously five-stars)
- Airbags: Front, Side, Curtain & Driver’s Knee
- Safety: ESP with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: 16-inch steel (Full Size)
- Suspension: Strut (F) / Torsion Beam (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 450 litres (Seats Up)
- Tow Capacity: 1300kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
- Warranty: Three Year / 100,000 kilometre
- Weight: 1285kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 16 x 6.5-inch
Road Test the Rivals:
- Ford Focus Sedan (from $21,990)
- Holden Viva Sedan (from $18,790)
- Hyundai Elantra Sedan (from $19,990)
- KIA Cerato Sedan (from $18,990)
- Mazda 3 Sedan (from $21,490)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan (from $21,490)
- Nissan Tiida Sedan (from $17,990)
- Renault Megane Sedan (from $25,490)
- Subaru Impreza Sedan (from $22,990)
- Suzuki SX4 Sedan (from $19,990)
- Volkswagen Jetta Sedan (from $32,990)
Print it: 
How did u and Dan ever get through Uni?
U guys are really thick so much so that I can’t be bothered arguing with the pair of u.
Frontman among others have all made valid points in relation to the Corolla and then u both resort to insults.
A while back Thomas69 wanted to do me physical harm on this blog because I pointed out that his Prado had more humble origins.
People are entitled to their opinions and don’t need to be told they are inferior because they disagree with u.
U guys should do lunch though.Trust me.LOL.
Haha Tomas! What I find very funny about Australia, is that those with no idea (i.e. never lived any where else) are so mistaken, and think of certain cars as if they are something they are not. Us Australians think of euro cars so much higher than Europeans themselves. It makes me laugh a lot!
Realcars, I have not insulted anyone here. THe comment about you wining the ‘I can’t read award’ was very valid don’t you think?
The fact that a Golf in Oz is a less common sight than a corolla, makes it a little different, & therefore appealing.
I’ve never read a road test where an enthusiast has picked a corolla over a Golf.
Nobody was really getting excited over the Golf, however just to go out on a limb, I prefer the styling of the Golf VI over the Corolla, & having driven both cars, prefer the way the Golf VI drives & handles over the Corolla.
I’d bet very few get excited over the Lexus IS in Japan. Not a slag of your car, Dan. LOL!
The BMW 3 Series is used as a Taxi in Europe, but commands respect and/or prestige over here, etc.
I don’t think there’d be too many that would argue the Corolla is dynamically superior to the New Golf, & also few Corolla owners or potential Corolla buyers would care.
No real serious slagging of the ‘Rolla on this forum, but I wouldn’t buy one either.
Do like the Leather Option though. It’s win/win.
Nicer interior, & one less cow. Seeing as the harvesting of the Leather results in no good for the donor cow, you might as well provide me a steak for dinner as well.
Realcars, you frightened little princess, i hope you actually looked up the origins of the Landcruiser 120 (Prado and Lexus GX) and realized the it’s a different platform to the Hilux, and if it shared a platform with the hilux, it would be even better!!
But then again, i bet looking up info, and reading in general makes your head hurt!!
No wonder the world is the way it is.LOL
Mine Got my tax paid for their education!!!!LOL.
Dan,
A lot of people think very highly of Japanese cars too, but they aren’t necessarily better than European cars.
Horses for courses.
Been surrounded by Jap cars all my life, I must think of them they way the Europeans think of VWs.
Even though I haven’t travelled extensively, I continually read of the relatively small market share Japanese cars seem to have in Europe.
So the Europeans think VWs, Beemers et al are nothing special, yet haven’t gravitated to Planet Nippon either.
People will always pay for some things that are less common or a little different, otherwise they’d never sell a Citroen etc etc.
Can you believe the Yanks can’t even buy Alfas etc?
Lauded in Europe & Oz as drivers cars, with quirky features, but can’t get a toehold in the US.
maybe we should send them our left over 4 speed auto Corollas…
Realcars,
I wanna know where my tax money I paid for your education was diverted to?!
Whats with the radio in Toyota’s. They look like they are never intergrated with the dash. It looks like someone gone down to there local autobarn and slaped a radio in.
No prize for second.Ha Ha Ha.
Dan & Thomas70 – Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah BLah Blah
As for the car itself – Ok I guess not for me certainly not at that price, wow it has leather and Co. Most folk who buy these drive no more than 7-8K K’s per annum to Coles and the odd country run for a day out with the Thermos. Dependable and reliable and easily sold on when you’ve knackered it. Buy a Golf instead and feel a bit better about yourself.
What I was trying to say is that, I felt seriously embarassed as an Australian, being in Europe, seeing what people there think of their own cars, versus what we think of their cars. Flipping it the other way around, we don’t think much of our cars. Neither do they. To anyone who thinks that Golf is anything special, you got no idea hahaha! Golf = European Corolla! hahahaha, Feel a bit beter about yourself Cupid! ROFL!
And C-Stunt doesn’t live here!
Maybe not everyone in the Northern Hemisphere thinks the Golf is boring.
Plus, Golf VI was only released in Oz on March 1.
Go have a look & a drive, & compare it to Corolla yourselves….
Dan if corolla was the ducks, there wouldn’t be a “Euro Corolla”.
Just “Corolla” :-)
I said euro Corolla in the sense of where you guys are taking the piss. Because mate, the way you are talking about the Corolla here, the Europeans talk the same way about the Golf! And that’s a fact mate! Again, kived in Europe for 10 years, no European will tell you that the bread and butter Golf is special! Volkswagen… the people’s car.
Dan – why the vicious attack. All I gave was a preference that the Golf would be more my thing IF I was in that market. I never said the Golf was “anything special” Your words not mine. If indeed you actually read and remember what others have said you will know that I have stated on other posts that the Golf VI was a little bland and boring but technologically improved. Fact.
So wind you neck in and stop thinking EVERYONE is out to get you.
Just for the facts I live in the UK, I lived in OZ for a bit (Kew, Melbourne) and have seen and experienced what most like to drive “down under”.
*yawns* why did i even bother reading about this car, no offence to the author, not your fault it’s a boring car…dancing girls & fireworks could not make this car exciting
Dan,
Salesman said – “And he will agree with me when i say nobody knows what a car is worth after a few years”
So if I buy a new VE, and there is a two year old VE for sale next to it, I won’t know how much the new VE will be worth in two years time? Give me a break!!
How do you know what a car is worth, if no body wants to buy it? My point is (and i suspect you are clutching at straws) how do you know a used car value unless you can find a buyer for it? If you can answer that then you could have a job at any car yard.
Omgwot,
“What a boring car”, yet you decided to comment on it… Hehehe, what a tool!
Salesman, your philosophy or whatever you are trying to do makes no sense what so ever. I won’t make any further comments on it.
Dan,
Sorry, i have been drinking. My point is a car is worth whatever someone will pay for it. No one can guess a value of a car. Whats popular new is popular used? well Commodore was the number one seller in Australia? So why are thay as popular as aids second hand?
Mazda 3 is popular new car. Why is it not popular as aids second hand?
WHo cares. Point is, resale value can be estimated, and is a valid consideration when choosing to buy a car. I wouldn’t pay a dollar for a seond hand commodore. Does that mean it’s worth a dollar? No. Enough of this philosophy crap hey.
Yeh crap Dan – geddit
The Salesman,
I’d say Commodores are probably more popular second hand!!
Since about 87% or more of them are bough by fleets when new, based mostly on corporate deals then personal choice. And probably not too many young fanboys, and people in low socio-economic group that idolize them so much can afford them brand new . They are mostly popular as second hand because they offer very cheap bang for those people!
at least in Europe the golf which is bread and butter model there is still the class leading car over there which says something. the corrola is lame. calling it auris would of unnecessarily made to many old people wet there pants in excitement
Toyota would probably be lucky if the Ultima sold 5% as a total of all Corolla sales. They make most of their money on the Ascent for fleet and they build it for that exact market. Jazzing it up with the Conquest for private buyers wanting a little bit extra and the Ultima for people who…uhmmm…well now that I think about it I don’t know who they target it to except maybe elderly people who have bought Toyotas all their lives and are unwilling to look at alternatives. I was talking to the Toyota sales person who handles our fleet and I asked why the Corolla and Camry seemed “unfinished” in comparison to the equivalent Honda and Mazda. The answer was fleet sales. Companies are generally unwilling to spend more than necessary for a car for the rank and file. As long as it is reliable for 3 to 5 years, cheap to maintain (say max $400 a year), and has a decent chance of selling/trading in for a good price at the end, it gets the nod. Safety features and “green-ness” are starting to be included on that list but still have a little way to go. By the way, there are people out there who make a living off th prediction of used car values. Obviously some are more successful than others but that is the way the fleet leasing business goes. The Toyota slogan “Toyota means business” says it all really.
The difference between Most Australians and Europeans in relation to their cars is:
When Aussies who want to upgrade their car usually sell the Corolla and buy a bigger car like an Landcruiser as they tend to think that bigger is ALWAYS better.
Whereas in Europe when people upgrade their Golf they simply buy a Golf that is higher up the Golf range.
Which makes sense because if you have enjoyed driving your econobox for so many years why not buy another one that has more features etc rather than buy a completely different car. [they're more loyal [to locally built cars] than most Aussies]
It also shows just how image-conscious some Aussies are.. why would you buy a Landcruiser when it doesn’t really suit your needs or you can’t really afford it?
The other thing is as you make your way through the VW or Golf range [for example] you can see that there are enough changes in terms of features and performance etc to justify the increase in price – then there are the options. Unfortuantely the same can’t really be said about Toyota or the Corolla.
Great vehicle, MUCH better that a i30, but silly money for that model.
Cheers
F-0
Wheelnut said – “The difference between Most Australians and Europeans in relation to their cars…”
Wrong. It is a fact that most euro countries penalise you for having a larger car, since the continent is so populated with people, allowing everyone to have larger more polluting cars would be very detrimental to the environment. There are countries in europe, where for you to own a large V8 or even a V6, you’d be spending massive amount of money on rego, as it is directly proportional to the size of the engine. Owning a 2L 4 cyl car is pricy already. It is not that europeans are happy to putt around in small cars all the time (although comes in handy in some cities due to the width of some streets and parking), but because most can’t afford to, and are effectively FORCED to drive small cars. In that respect Australia (together with US and others) is a lucky country. But from the point of view of Europe, it makes sense, as it is very densly populated place.
There are people who buy corollas all the time, rather than a larger car. Perhaps to them the ‘upgrade’ will be the leather seats and so on in this model. Again, I can’t comment on people’s reason to buy this car, as I woudln’t personally either. But since this is the first corolla with leather seats (is it? I think it is. Don’t know much abouit them) it appears that perhaps there was a demand for a vehicle like this from the corolla client base. Keep in mind, there are a lot of people loyal to the corolla. As much as you hate it, don’t understand it, and want to deny it, it’s a fact!
ROFL… anti-spam word = “faster”
Matt Brogan writes:
“smart card entry with push button starter”
“The instrumentation, known as an ‘Optitron Combimetre’”
Matt, it’s simply “smart entry” – it’s not a card as such, more of a remote fob that stays in your pocket/bag. Also spelling – “Combimeter”.
Conclusion to this thread: The Corolla is a decent yet overpriced car – especially when there are more capable, exciting and more value for your buck vehicles available. Eg. Mazda 3, VW Golf, Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus……
Enough bickering, I win :D
Why is Dan so angry? I got attacked for saying I can get an Aurion for the price of the Corolla in the article. As if I was wasting everyones time with what I thought was a completely valid point. Lighten up Dan.
I know sam.. I have seen a number oToyota Dealers in Perth [which is where Dan is from] with adverts painted across the windows of their showrooms or on the actual cars saying Aurion SX6 $32990 Drive Away and others with Aurion Sportivo $36990 Drive Away..
I have even seen a couple of TRDs on Toyota yards for around the same price [that's 40-50% off what they were when they were re-released]
However; because the cars aren’t listed at these prices on the Toyota Website – where the SX6 is $38,990 and the Sportivo is $42,990 then there is no way that you could possibly pick up an Aurion for the same price as the Corolla featured above.
Despite the fact that when you add dealer delivery government charges and rego etc you would be forking out $36-38K. Which makes the idea of paying close to 40K for a Leather Bound Corolla even more ridiculous.
To be fair though, the competitors offer the same thing! Lancer – Asspire, 3 – Maxx, Impreza – RS, Focus – Zetec all cost $30 000+ just like this Corolla, so you cant just say blame Toyota for offering this sort of specification.
People will surely buy this Corolla at this price, just like VW will sell a $38 000 Golf – although in smaller numbers than the base spec models. So you can say who would pay $32 000 for any car smaller than an Accord Euro etc.
A base Accord Euro makes so much more sense than the top spec small cars though.
Relax Sam.
As a tiger is recognised by it’s stripes, so Dan is recognised by abrasive, argumentative and ignorant comments. I was really hoping he would grow up and perhaps get a hobby or something. He is out to pick a fight.
Just enjoy the irony and don’t take it personally – it’s good for a laugh.
For what it’s worth, I thought your comments were funny too!
“tarted up,overpriced, aging Corolla.” Hehehe
Tim the Impreza isn’t really a Rival to the Corolla as it offers the assurity of AWD – so whilst not being a performance car as such like the WRX; with the RS you still the benefit from what Subaru has learnt from thier experience in WRC.
Yet given that Master Bates won the ARC in a [modified] AWD rolla surely Toyota could offer [or at least consider offering an AWD econ-obox for the same price as the Impreza.. or at least oput an "F1 Inspired" bodykit on it I'm sure that would go along way towards changing Toyotas [and the Corollas] bland and boring image.
What gets me is that Toyota are happy to seel the Corolla as a fleet car and reap the sales but private buyers are the ones that they should be hunting….I might be loyal to Mazda but even the current Mazda 3 is far better looking than the Corolla and has always been just behind it in the sales race and Mazda don’t play the fleet market. With the new 3 arriving soon the Corolla will go a further step back with some new models in the small-med class with all new engines and gearboxes the Corolla is very dated.
I would have no problem having a smiling 3 in my driveway.
Wheelnut, I agree they aren’t direct rivals. Subaru makes good cars, no doubt about it but the “assurity”, as you put it, is a bit of a PR beatup with which they have done well.
AWD is fun for beating an SS off the mark in your RS during a downpour but it’s not going to help you avoid an accident, UNLESS you need to accelerate out of a dangerous situation (not a common circumstance unless you are already driving aggressively). Driving “normally” in adverse conditions the only benefit from AWD is better traction when accelerating heavily. It makes no difference when braking. So my argument here is based around your average driver, driving normally under less than ideal circumstances.
We all seem to agree the corolla is boring and bland. But it will sell well. Some people obviously don’t care about special looks when it is known to be functional and reliable.
I still believe the AE102 is the best front-drive Corolla ever made. This new model has similar performance and rear suspension which is a step backward from the fully independent setup of its predecessor. Better engine technology may have been negated by more weight, but they could have done more than 100kW from a 1.8.
Unfortunately, it’s a missed opportunity for Toyota not coming up with a really excellent bread-and-butter model. Endowing it with an expired 4-speed auto is simply for cost-cutting, nothing else, but I don’t mind paying an extra grand for the fifth gear. They must have given it to the 8-speed Lexus models by mistake. I tested an Ascent sedan and second gear seems too long, struggling to accelerate after flooring the pedal and overtake. The gears are widely spaced and this could be the culprit for the lack of performance. I don’t expect it to be a race car but the 5-speed would have done a lot better for the engine.
It’s ok enough to get second in sales, but then again, the topseller is a crap car as we know. I would rate this as mediocre. It’s Toyota’s most successful model but they didn’t do it justice – just not as good as it could have been.
Прикольная тачка у нас в УКРАИНЕ будет стоить порядка 300 000 гривен при моей зарплате мне нужно 30 лет копить
LOL @ AUTONAROD.NET. Google translate to the rescue:
“Cool car with us in Ukraine will cost about 300 000 hryvnia, with my salary, I need 30 years to accumulate”
Petrol Powered Prius.
Russia/Ukraine is full of exotic cars. The amount of Bentleys/Ferraris/Lambos on the streets you see in a day is close to 10. Dont even get me started on BMW’s and Mercs, those are like Falcodores here!!
More than 100 responses – hilarious how much controversy the big T causes!! And it’s the usual suspects too!!
I’d never get a Corolla for $30K+!!! Too many other better cars in the price range. Accord Euro for one.
Did I read correctly – xenons on the humble whitegood Toyota? Andrew M – care to comment? :-)
Realist, there are so many responses because as usual, toyota stirs passion with plenty of people on here haha.
Dan,
Too right!!
Tim, Too bad nobody honest or law abiding in Russia/Ukraine can actually afford one!!
Oh really Tomas? Did you used to live there or just talking from what you see on tv?
Tim. I’ve been to Russia myself. Tomas is right. Honest person will not get far in Russia, nor Poland or Latvia for that matter :)
Tim,
Yes i have been to Russia, and it is common knowledge!!
Do you know what the average salary is in Russia?