Compact Cars Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Compact Cars - Research Paper Example Corolla comes with more standard safety features, including six airbags, front-seat active head restraints and antilock brakes. Electronic stability control is optional. The new Toyota Corolla's good crash test scores earn it a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Reviewers praise the Toyota Corolla's safety record and excellent reputation for reliability. Fuel economy is outstanding with EPA ratings of 26-27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, and real-life averages very close to those figures. The larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the XRS model gets 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway in either manual or automatic. Corolla, LE, XLE and S trims come with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine standard, producing 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. The XRS model ($18,760) dishes up a more beefy 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Corolla and S trims are available with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual. LE and XLE versions are only available with the four-speed automatic, while the XRS can be had with the five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Toyota played it too safe in the styling department; Driverside says that "the 2009 Corolla is blessed with styling derived from its big brother, the Camry .The driver and passenger seats sit up higher than you might expect, and the vantage delivers exceptional visibility. Also, the steering, while adjustable, seems to jut from the dash, giving it a golf cart feel. Exterior options like a spoiler and 16-inch aluminium wheels do much to add character to the car. Surprisingly spacious inside, the Corolla offers plenty of head and legroom up front, with enough room inside for people over the six-foot mark. The backseat doesn't skimp on space either, though taller people may wish to stick to calling shotgun. The seats are comfortable in either cloth or leather trim, and build quality is impressive for a vehicle at this price". Interesting features: The most deluxe of all the Corolla trims, the XRS model comes loaded with a more powerful engine, leather interior, power windows and locks and a six-speaker sound system for $18,760. A six-disc CD changer