The 2011 Corolla’s powertrain may lack fun, but the front-wheel-drive sedan’s decent fuel economy and low cost of ownership make it a valuable daily driver offering 132 horsepower and up to 30 mpg.
Key Points
- The 2011 Toyota Corolla features a 1.8L DOHC SFI inline-four across three trims, putting up 132 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque, which isn’t jaw-dropping but is adequate for a commuter car.
- The only available transmission for the LE trim is a four-speed automatic, whereas base and S models come with either an automatic or a five-speed manual transmission system.
- The 2011 Corolla has a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg with the manual transmission, while the automatic reduces the Corolla’s fuel economy by a hair.
- Zero engine-related recalls exist for the 2011 Corolla, and registered complaints total just 19 out of more than 550, a solid testament to the engine’s reliability.
- Toyota’s 2011 Corolla delivers impressive fuel economy and a low cost of ownership, making up for its dull and uneventful driving experience.
2011 Toyota Corolla’s 1.8L Four-cylinder Offers Nothing Fancy but Gets the Job Done as a Grocery-getter with 132 Horsepower
The 2011 Toyota Corolla has one engine option across three trims, a 1.8L DOHC SFI inline-four. However, the 2011 Corolla is not a performance-oriented car. It’s a small front-wheel-drive sedan intended to get you from point A to point B hassle-free.
With 132 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque, it is clear the 1.8L DOHC SFI inline-four mounted under the Corolla’s hood doesn’t try to impress you with muscle. The 2011 Corolla sprints from idle to 60 miles per hour in 9.8 seconds, slower than average for a 2011 model year compact sedan.
In comparison, another car in its class, the 2011 Mazda3, puts out 148 to 167 horsepower, with the Sport model reaching 60 mph in just 7.4 seconds, 2.4 seconds faster than the Corolla.
However, the 2011 Corolla has decent fuel economy and comes with an EPA-estimated fuel consumption rate of 27 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway (30 combined). Corolla’s 13.2-gallon gas tank lets you travel up to 448 miles on one tank, for roughly $44. Perhaps the Corolla’s toughest competitor, the 2011 Honda Civic, falls one mpg short, while the up-and-coming 2011 Elantra bests it at 28/38.
Another area that the 2011 Corolla shines is in its cost of ownership. Based on Repair Pal’s estimates, it would cost only $350 annually to maintain a Corolla, while the 2011 Ford Focus runs $537, and the Nissan Sentra about $490.
“Horsepower is about average for the class. Acceleration performance is adequate but not overly peppy with the four-speed automatic transmission,” said Autoblog after reviewing a 2011 Corolla. “The new Ford Focus comes with a six-speed automatic and we’ve found it to be smoother and better able to keep the engine in the heart of the power band than the four-speed automatic in the Toyota can,” they concluded about the Corolla’s powertrain performance.
2011 Corolla’s Automatic Transmission Feels Archaic, but the Five-speed Manual is a Solid Alternative
Toyota’s 2011 Corolla carried over the same transmission systems from the previous model year. The base and S trims can come with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission, but the LE model only features a four-speed automatic transmission.
The gears in the four-speed automatic reportedly feel widely spaced, making it not as smooth as the competition. That’s not to say the automatic transmission in the Corolla is terrible; it just doesn’t feel modern. Models like the 2011 Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze offer a base six-speed automatic for smoother shifts and better fuel mileage.
On the other hand, owners have described the five-speed manual as feeling more pleasant in action. Also, the manual transmission in the Corolla puts out one mpg more than the automatic model.
So, if a manual transmission doesn’t scare you away, and you don’t spend that much time in hectic traffic behind the wheel, make sure to give the manual-configured Corolla a shot.
2011 Toyota Corolla’s One Engine Option isn’t Speedy or Sporty, but it is Reliable, Capable, and Meets Most Commuter Expectations
The 2011 Toyota Corolla offers great qualities without excessive flashy add-ons. It’s a simple, reliable commuter car, with zero engine-related recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of the 550-plus registered complaints, only 19 currently concern the engine, an incredibly low number for a car of its age.
Based on Kelley Blue Book, a used 2011 Corolla can cost between $8,666 and $11,679. If a sportier appearance without the performance is sufficient, the S trim adds a little more fun with extra interior features and a few exterior aesthetic enhancements.
At the end of the day, the 132-hp 1.8L inline-four does the job just fine, even though several rivals offer more exciting powertrains. The Corolla’s reliability, decent fuel economy, and low cost of ownership outweigh its sole, slightly underwhelming engine option.
Photos: Toyota
