Automotive World

The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling model in history, and the 2010 version of the Corolla has two main engine choices. The basic Corolla engine is a 1.8 liter V4 which has 132 horsepower at 6000 RPM and has 128 foot-pounds of torque. It is the engine on all the Corolla models save the XRS. The various models that use the 1.8 liter engine are all rated at 26 MPG city and either 34 or 35 MPG on the highway.

The XRS comes with a 2.4 liter V4 which lowers the estimated mileage to 22 MPG city and 30 MPG highway. However, the extra power moves the horsepower up to 158 and moves to torque up to 158 ft-lbs.

The merits of the 2.4 liter engine are limited. Being able to tow better might be one reason to upgrade the engine but all of the models including the XRS are listed at 1500 pounds of towing capacity; the binding constraint might be the chassis or back bumper rather than the engine. Most people aren't going to be buying a Corolla to do a lot of towing in the first place, unless it is small trailer for a boat or a small U-Haul style trailer.

The one area where the 2.4 liter engine might come in handy is if you need more power to get around your roads. Hilly terrain might make the extra power worthwhile, as might a lot of expressway driving where the ability to accelerate into tight spots in traffic is important.

The 1.8 liter engine seems to be the more sensible of the two for customers who are looking for an economical compact car.