Attractive wheelcovers resemble aluminum wheels, and come as standard equipment. Corolla DX models are distinguished by a reflector panel between the two rear taillamps, while the rest use gray cladding. Its seating is comfortable, however, with durable cloth-covered seats that give ample support for varying personal widths. All of the controls are well-placed and simple to reach, though we'd rather see rotary knobs for the ventilation system, instead of the slide controls currently used. Our test vehicle was well-equipped, and standard interior equipment includes a rear window defogger, remote fuel filler door and trunk releases, full carpeting, a center console and a fully lined trunk.
Cruise control is optional also, and adds important variable-speed intermittent wipers.
It produces 105 horsepower and 117 lb-ft of torque, with much of that torque coming down low in the rpm range. It delivers good fuel economy, though, and we averaged around 30 mpg for the week. Frugal freeway driving stretched the mileage closer to thirty-five. Our test car used the automatic, and it proved very reliable and sophisticated. On Corolla DX models, a pair of stabilizer bars are used, and the tires are one size larger than those used on the Base model, which helps handling and stability.