for family buyers, and though it's a small car, the Corolla does very well
in this area.
Three-point safety belts are provided for front seat and outboard rear
seat riders (with a lap belt for the middle rear position). Dual airbags
are standard equipment. For those interested in stepping up to the option
of anti-lock brakes, which we recommend, they are available for all three
Corolla models. Power steering is standard on CE and DX models. Certain
popular amenities, such as cruise control, split-folding rear seat, tachometer,
power sunroof and tilt wheel, are options that can only be checked for
the DX.
The three-model line includes a base or standard Corolla and a Corolla
CE, both standard-equipped with Toyota's 1.6-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder
powerplant of 100 horsepower. The uplevel engine provided in our Corolla
DX tester is a slightly larger 1.8-liter twin-cam 4-cyl. that produces
105 hp, and 117 lb.-ft. of torque versus the base engine's 105 lb.-ft.
The standard transmissions for both four-bangers are specific five-speed
manuals. The optional automatic for the base engine is a three-speed, while
the upgrade path for the larger engine features a smooth-running four-speed
automatic.
The all-independent suspension features MacPherson struts at all four
corners. With a relatively long wheelbase and its independent suspension,
the Corolla offers excellent ride quality and competent handling. Next Page