The 2015 Toyota Corolla comes with a standard 1.8L inline-four with 132 horsepower, while Eco models have a mpg-focused version of the same engine. The engine gets high marks for fuel efficiency but offers sluggish acceleration and limited driving excitement.
Key Points
- The 2015 Toyota Corolla featured two engine options: A 1.8-liter inline-four with 132 horsepower, and a 140-hp Eco variant.
- Three transmission choices include a four-speed automatic, a six-speed manual, and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
- In terms of reliability, Toyota’s 2015 Corolla has no engine-related recalls or significant complaints registered with the NHTSA.
- Fuel economy is excellent, with some drivers reporting as much as 45-mpg combined. However, the 2015 Corolla has sluggish performance.
2015 Corolla’s Standard 1.8L Inline-four Engine Offers Great Fuel Economy and Reliability, but is Underpowered
Most 2015 Toyota Corolla models come with an aluminum 1.8-liter twin-cam engine (2ZR-FE) carried over from the previous generation. Equipped with VVTi (Toyota’s version of variable valve timing technology), it pumps out 132 horsepower with 128 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine comes on all trim levels aside from the LE Eco.
Although the engine carries over from the previous generation, the overall weight of the car has increased. With a 0-60 time of 10.5 seconds, acceleration with the CVT is sluggish, and 0.8 seconds off the pace of the LE Eco. Competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, and Mazda3 all offer more power.
The Corolla has a reputation for being reliable, and the 2015 model is no exception, with no recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Customer complaints about the engine were also minimal.
Trim levels matter when it comes to the powertrain, with the base L model getting only a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The automatic is to be avoided, with the worst fuel economy of any Corolla model (27 city and 35 highway) and limited forward gears. Competitors have left this transmission far behind.
If you’re a driving enthusiast, you have two choices on the S model. The CVT receives steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a sport mode with software tuning that alters shift points but does not improve acceleration. The six-speed manual offers the fastest 0-60 times among all Corollas, with Car and Driver proving an 8.5-second run, and loses just one mpg to the CVT-equipped LE Eco model.
Redline Reviews, a popular car review website on YouTube, test drove a 2015 Corolla, and after stomping on the gas the host commented “…again, you don’t buy a Corolla to win drag races, and this car is pretty darn slow when you want to try and accelerate…” He does praise the CVT and suggests it over earlier models with conventional automatics. Overall, words like toaster, appliance, and boring are mentioned often enough to understand the driving experience is rather dull in the 2015 Corolla.
Upgrading to the 2015 Corolla LE Eco’s Engine Brings Slightly More Power and Better Fuel Economy, without a Significant Price Increase
The LE Eco model has more power than the standard models (140 hp), but less torque, 126 lb.-ft. versus 128 lb.-ft., though you won’t notice that minimal difference. This is thanks to Valvematic, a valve timing technology that helps optimize power and efficiency by adjusting airflow volume based on how hard the engine is working. The result is a Corolla that gets 32 mpg combined vs. the regular Corolla’s 31, with no loss in performance. The Eco engine also has a higher 10.6:1 compression ratio, but still only requires regular-grade fuel.
To help achieve this, the LE Eco has an “Eco” button next to the CVT shifter that will dial back the climate control and throttle response when pressed.
Though a one mpg difference may not seem like much, drivers have reported as much as 45 combined mpg, so it’s likely your Corolla will average a better range than the EPA’s estimates alone.
Despite its increased performance, the Eco model averages just a few hundred dollars more in price compared to other Corolla trims on the used car market, with the sporty S being the most expensive.
2015 Toyota Corolla Offers a Safe but Uninspiring Drive, Best for Basic Transportation from A to B
Even in the sporty S trim, the Corolla is no sports sedan, and the engine’s lackluster acceleration is proof of that. If you’re looking for safe and reliable transportation, the 2015 Toyota Corolla will serve you well. But it’s little more than an appliance for the road. Looking to later model years of this generation won’t help, as the engine offerings remain the same.
Because its competitors offer the same level of economy and practicality, but more enjoyable driving dynamics, it’s difficult to recommend the 2015 Toyota Corolla for anything beyond basic transportation needs.
Photos: Toyota
