Toyota’s 2011 Corolla is powered by a 1.8L inline-four engine, which is a long-distance machine that probably won’t ever leave its owner on the side of the road. But drivers expecting more power out of their vehicles should take heed of woeful performance ratings.
Key Points
- The 2011 Corolla’s only engine—a 1.8L inline-four—can take drivers over 450 miles on a single tank of gas, topping out at 34 mpg on the highway.
- The Corolla struggles with performance, with zero-to-60 times approaching 10 seconds (comparable to larger SUVs) and horsepower better measured by the dozen than the hundred.
- In a pinch, the Corolla could pull a moving trailer, but not much else, as torque and towing capacity fall far short of the mark.
- Corolla engines are known to last a lifetime, with most drivers unsurprised to eclipse 400,000 miles before the 1.8L gives up.
- Recalls for the engine are nonexistent, though there is an alarming complaint centering around unintended acceleration that has caused some accidents.
Toyota’s 2011 Corolla Engine Delivers Fantastic Fuel Economy, Capable of Going from Seattle to San Francisco on Just Two Tanks of Gas
The Toyota Corolla is the Japanese automaker’s marquee sedan, and it has been for over half a century, with the first models produced in 1966. 45 years on, the 2011 Corolla is still a family-friendly, efficient midsize car offered in three trim packages, all equipped with the same 1.8L four-cylinder engine.
In terms of gas mileage, the 1.8L motor is one of the best in its class, hitting heights of 27/34 mpg city/highway when mated to a five-speed manual transmission, according to the EPA.
When equipped with the automatic four-speed transmission, the 2011 Corolla takes a slight dip down to 26 mpg in the city, while holding firm at 34 mpg on the highway.
The Corolla’s lightweight, 13.2-gallon gas tank allows the sedan to travel all the way from Seattle to San Francisco and only stop for gas one time. This equates to a distance of nearly 900 miles on two tanks of gas.
2011 Toyota Corolla’s 1.8L Motor Falls Short on Performance, with Subar Torque and Acceleration More Akin to an SUV
While the 1.8L four-cylinder engine found in the 2011 Corolla may be a marathon runner, in the sprints the Toyota moves at a snail’s pace.
The 2011 Corolla’s engine puts out a pitiful 132 horsepower—less than you’d see at the Belmont, and with a zero-to-sixty-time of 9.8 seconds reported by Motor Trend, the Corolla won’t be winning the Triple Crown any time soon.
That time is more akin to an SUV, though the corolla weighs almost half as much. This is likely a symptom of the under-geared transmissions found in the 2011 Toyota. Other comparable, contemporary sedans with higher gearing can expect to get up to sixty a half-second quicker.
With torque, the 2011 Toyota Corolla struggles just as mightily. At 4,400 rpm the Corolla puts out just 128 lb.-ft. That’s enough to tow a Radio Flyer, but not much else. Anything over 1,500 pounds will be too much for the Toyota sedan to handle if drivers find themselves needing to haul a moving trailer with the Corolla.
Toyota Corolla’s 1.8L Engine May Reach 400,000 Miles Before Giving Up, but Cases of Unintended Acceleration Have Been Reported
There are certain vehicles that people just expect to last forever. Among these heavy hitters of the high-mileage club firmly sits the Toyota Corolla. The 2011 model is no exception.
2011 Corolla drivers should probably expect to hit 400,000 miles on their 1.8L engine before it eventually gives up. This is most likely due to the sedan’s underpowered engine. If it’s tough to abuse, it takes on a lot less wear and tear.
Further, 2011 Corolla owners should expect very few issues out of their Toyota’s engine. Among the 2011 Corolla’s nine recalls, the majority are a part of the now-infamous Takata Airbag Recall. Of the rest, not one affects the 1.8L engine, a testament to the superb manufacturing done by Toyota in 2011.
However, there have been a number of customer reports of unintended acceleration from their Corollas, possibly causing a collision, though no recall has been issued.
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Not everyone needs a racecar; the average driver is usually only expecting his or her vehicle to get them to work and back five times a week safely. For those with longer commutes, especially as gas prices reach their highest ever, miles per gallon means everything.
When choosing between the Corolla and similar models, the difference could mean hundreds of dollars a month—thousands in a year.
It is very, very difficult to beat the 2011 Corolla in an endurance test.
The 1.8L engine falls short on oomph, but drivers must consider how often they really need that power. This is especially true as it becomes more and more expensive to drive a gas-powered vehicle.
For drivers looking for a reliable car that gets great gas mileage, the 2011 Toyota Corolla is hard to beat. Yet, those who are obsessed with performance should look elsewhere.
Photos: Toyota
