2003 Toyota Corolla Compact Car Reviews & Ratings

The interior is where the Corolla really shines. Inside, it doesn't feel like a small car, and it doesn't feel cheap. Of course it's true that if you're a big and/or tall person you will find accommodations somewhat cramped but that's the case in any small vehicle.

Take a look inside a Corolla LE with optional leather seating and you could easily imagine you're looking inside a luxury car instead of an $18,000 sub-compact. The leather seats have that soft pleated finish which so many buyers like in a car. The center console and portions of the armrest on the door panels have a wood-like veneer trim. Okay it's fake but it's so well made that it looks more realistic than some real wood found in luxury cars. Both the LE and S models get a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard.

For most people though front-seat leg and headroom is just fine and there's a decent amount of room in the back for two average size adults. Although there are seat belts for a third rear-seat passenger, there's definitely a shortage of space for that person. Materials used in the seats appear classy with nice fit and finish. The driver's seat has a much more substantial feel than in many cars in this price range, which makes it more comfortable for long journeys. Even the doors shut with a pleasant thud thanks to sound deadening felt mounted inside the door panels.

The ergonomics of the dashboard layout are exemplary. It is nicely laid out and its finish is as good as that in all but the most expensive luxury cars. Coupled with the nice finish, it makes the Corolla feel more like a small Lexus, especially if one opts for the leather seats. The dashboard layout is the same on all models. It has a top surface that sweeps across the width of the car in a slight S-curve and wraps into the door trim. Each side of the center console seamlessly blends up to the lower portion of the dash, which includes a large glove box on the passenger side. Four small vents are nicely inlaid into the upper part of the dash.

The radio is located high up so it is easy to reach while the three large round knobs for the heating and air conditioning system are located below. The handle for the parking brake is located on the left of the center console so there's room for a small storage cubbyhole on the right.

Three overlapping round gauges in the instrument pod contain a large speedometer, a smaller tachometer to the left and a water temperature gauge and fuel gauge mounted in a matching circle to the right. They incorporate red lettering on a plain white background. There's also an outside temperature readout on all models.

Storage spaces are quite generous with small pockets in each door and cubbyholes in the center console. The rear seats split 60/40 to allow access from the trunk, though the opening is not that large, limiting pass-through with large cargo. On the other hand it's a sedan so it is not supposed to have the hauling capacity or convenience of a hatchback or station wagon. The trunk is a reasonable size although once again gooseneck hinges intrude into the cargo space and also crush fragile items if they are in the way. Many auto manufacturers have switched to the scissor-type hinges that are located outside the storage space. Quite why Toyota and other Japanese manufacturers have not switched to this design remains surprising.

All in all the interior has a high level of refinement beyond what one expects in a low cost sub-compact. On the safety side all Corollas come with multi-stage front airbags. While side curtain airbags are offered as an option on all models.

One word sums up the driving experience in the new Corolla: transparent. That's a benefit to those who don't particularly enjoy driving. The Corolla gets the job done so nicely that it's difficult to fault.

Okay it's only got a 130-horsepower four-cylinder engine so naturally its acceleration performance is not scintillating. But it's not supposed to be. Instead, it delivers its power smoothly thanks to the nicely matched electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. It includes a shift logic system that helps hold a gear longer than it might otherwise if it senses the car is going up an incline or the driver wants plenty of power while passing.

The power steering is just right, providing a nice feel without being too stiff or sloppy. The suspension has been tuned to give a smooth ride, which is helped by the longer wheelbase compared to the previous generation. Body roll has been minimized and the car feels secure at all speeds. Those who enjoy the crisp handling of a sports sedan will find the car's suspension a little too soft. These drivers may want to opt for the Matrix, which does have a slightly stiffer more sporty suspension.

For those who enjoy doing their own shifting the five-speed manual allows for more performance as the engine's power can be better utilized. There is no difference in engine, transmission or suspension between the three trim levels; despite the S model being designated a sporty trim level.

Ignoring the Matrix, the Corolla line consists of just one body style: a four-door sedan. Although the Corolla line has included two-door and station wagon models in the past the majority of American car buyers want straightforward four-door sedans.

All Corollas come with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder 16-valve engine and a choice of a manual or automatic transmission.

Three trim levels are available in the 2003 Corolla lineup: the base CE, the sporty S, and the luxurious LE.

CE ($13,370) comes standard with air conditioning (with an air filter), AM/FM/CD stereo system, power steering, power mirrors, tilt steering column, tachometer, intermittent wipers, digital clock, outside temperature gauge, trunk lamp, and a dome light with delay. CE comes standard with a manual transmission; an automatic is optional ($14,370).

S ($14,515 with manual gearbox, $15,315 with automatic transmission) features sporty styling cues such as smoked headlight lens extenders, integrated fog lamps, and an aerodynamic body package with color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers, rocker panel extensions, and rear mud guards. It also gets wider 195/65R15 tires. Inside, the S gets a unique cloth interior, a sporty tachometer, chrome accents, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The S model gets a vertical seat-height, power door locks, and map lights.

LE ($14,680 or $15,480 with the automatic) adds remote keyless entry, power windows, and intermittent wipers. The LE lacks the sporty body cladding of the S. And in place of the S modelÆs sporty interior finish, the LE gets wood-like trim and upgraded cloth seating surfaces. An optional leather package is available ($1,050, which includes a sunroof) for the LE that gives the car a luxurious feel.