[isaiah58]

The changes are enough that you need to get a good feel for what is, and is not, available on each trim line.

Across the board, the new 1.88l DUAL VVT-I engine is quieter annd produces a smoother ride. The interior may not look as fancy, but it gets the job done in reducing outside noise. It will hold up well. The standard grade (replaces CE) comes in manual and automatic. The LE is now more like an upgraded CE, you have to go up to the XLE to get the wood trim and some of the more exciting options. Both the LE and XLE only come in automatic. I haven't had a good look at the S, but the seats have a blue dot pattern. The XRS is using the 2.4l from the Camry and Scion tC (and other vehicles). It also comes in an automatic model this year.

The Matrix keeps a base model, then goes to a LE or S and then the XRS. On the Matrix, both the S and XRS use the 2.4l engine. Like the Corolla, the LE only comes as an automatic, the XRS adds a automatic.

Overall the front seat room is a little better, the telescoping steering wheel helps. The back seat is a little deeper, but headroom is still very tight, maybe even less? HUGE trunk on the Corolla, the Matrix keeps a similar rear hatch.

Toyota.com has all the details for specs.

 

[Spooky130]

Sounds like fun. Can't wait to test drive one.

 

[Buurin]

All Canada gets at this point is a minisite :thumbdown And no sign of 09 Matrix either :thumbdown:thumbdown

From the minisite:
Canada still has CE,S,LE,XRS
LE still don't get the stick :disappoin
fog lights standard on all but CE
S and XRS gets bodykit and steering wheel audio controls
The XRS doesn't list a 5-speed auto as available, but that doesn't mean it isn't available.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Canada should be getting the Corollas/Matrixes within the next week or two. I reckon that is when Toyota.ca will be updated with more information.

 

[Voodoo.Priest]

All Canada gets at this point is a minisite :thumbdown And no sign of 09 Matrix either.

The XRS doesn't list a 5-speed auto as available, but that doesn't mean it isn't available.

When I looked a couple days ago the 09 Matrix had it's own mini site as well.

Matrix is available in Matrix, XR, XRS, AWD. Though what is pissing me off is that you can not get an AWD version in manual. Toyota fails us yet again.

And why would you want an XRS in auto?

 

[isaiah58]

When I looked a couple days ago the 09 Matrix had it's own mini site as well.

Matrix is available in Matrix, XR, XRS, AWD. Though what is pissing me off is that you can not get an AWD version in manual. Toyota fails us yet again.

And why would you want an XRS in auto?

The models are the base, S, S AWD, and XRS. The XR is no longer available.The S and XRS are both 2.4l. I am not sure how not offering the AWD in a manual is failing? I think the option would be popular, seeing how popular the manual Impreza is, but is it going to sell enough units to justify the cost(s) to produce them?

 

[Jeff Lange]

In Canada, the Matrix is sold in base, XR, XRS, and AWD. We do not have an S grade.

Jeff

 

[Tideland Prius]

Note the differences in equipment for the Canadian and US Corolla.

Our LE gets SKS and auto climate control standard with opt. power driver's seat with power lumbar support and rear armrest.

The US' XLE gets opt. JBL and nav but none of the things mentioned above.

 

[isaiah58]

In Canada, the Matrix is sold in base, XR, XRS, and AWD. We do not have an S grade.

Jeff

I am trying to compare the specs, it looks like your XR is the same as our S, and the AWD is the same as our S AWD.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Yeah, they correspond pretty much directly. Our AWD has the option to have the "Sport Package" which adds the lower lips and side skirts, etc. Not sure if all the S AWD ones in the USA have that or if it's optional as well.

Jeff

 

[touringcamry]

Does the 2.4L have the Scion tC or Camry version of the 5M transmission? Or is it custom for the Corolla?

 

[Jeff Lange]

tC is an E350 transmission, Corolla XRS and Camry are E351 transmissions. That being said it seems that the Corolla has some changes compared to the Camry, as the fluid spec is SAE 75W GL-4 unigrade gear oil while the Camry/tC call for 75W90 GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil.

The other thing, and I don't think this is the case on the 07-09 Camry E351, is that Toyota does not have an interval to change the gear oil for the manual transmission in the 2009 Corolla. The transmission is only to be inspected for leaks. This is the same for the automatic transmission which of course uses Toyota's WS ATF.

Also the final drive ratio on the Camry is 3.95:1 while the Corolla is 4.24:1. The final drive combined with the lighter weight should result in the Corolla XRS feeling noticeably "peppier" than the Camry, especially off the line, though it will of course result in higher revs on the highway.

 

[touringcamry]

tC is an E350 transmission, Corolla XRS and Camry are E351 transmissions. That being said it seems that the Corolla has some changes compared to the Camry, as the fluid spec is SAE 75W GL-4 unigrade gear oil while the Camry/tC call for 75W90 GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil.

The other thing, and I don't think this is the case on the 07-09 Camry E351, is that Toyota does not have an interval to change the gear oil for the manual transmission in the 2009 Corolla. The transmission is only to be inspected for leaks. This is the same for the automatic transmission which of course uses Toyota's WS ATF.

Also the final drive ratio on the Camry is 3.95:1 while the Corolla is 4.24:1. The final drive combined with the lighter weight should result in the Corolla XRS feeling noticeably "peppier" than the Camry, especially off the line, though it will of course result in higher revs on the highway.

4.24:1 is the final drive on the Scion tC...weird that they'd use that final drive with the Camry gear ratios. Though the only other difference really is that 5th is shorter on the E350. Camry has 0.731:1 and tC has 0.775:1 for 5th.

Even if the final drives were the same, the Corolla should beat the Camry off the line due to it's 400-500lb advantage.

As for maintenance on the gear oil for my 2007 Camry with E351, the maintenance manual only says to change the gear oil under severe operating conditions.

 

[toyweb]

Note the differences in equipment for the Canadian and US Corolla.

Our LE gets SKS and auto climate control standard with opt. power driver's seat with power lumbar support and rear armrest.

The US' XLE gets opt. JBL and nav but none of the things mentioned above.

Are you sure about the power drivers seat? That's a bit hard to believe.

 

[Tideland Prius]

Are you sure about the power drivers seat? That's a bit hard to believe.

It's under the prelim specs so it could change for the production model but it is listed under the package for the LE model.

You can imagine my thoughts when I first saw that. I'd trade that power driver's seat for some steering wheel mounted audio controls, bluetooth and whatever else makes up the cost for a power driver's seat.

 

[Jeff Lange]

It's under the prelim specs so it could change for the production model but it is listed under the package for the LE model.

You can imagine my thoughts when I first saw that. I'd trade that power driver's seat for some steering wheel mounted audio controls, bluetooth and whatever else makes up the cost for a power driver's seat.

What's somewhat interesting is that some of what you've been mentioning that apparently the USA is not getting shows up in the New Car Features book as being optional on the USA XLE grade, like the SKS and the Power Drivers Seat. That being said I haven't seen them mentioned in any of the USA brochures or websites... it's strange.

Jeff

EDIT: I'd like to add that a lot of times the new car features information isn't always 100% accurate as to what ends up being sold to the public. For example the variable intermittent wipers in the S and XRS in Canada are listed as optional in the NCF book, but in the brochures, etc, they are listed as standard features. Same goes for the sunroof, it is listed as optional for the XRS is NCF, but is listed as standard in the brochure.

Also and this angers me, (because I wanted it), but leather seats are listed as optional for the S and XRS in Canada in NCF book, but are not available at all in Canada. Same goes for the JBL Audio system.

 

[Tideland Prius]

What's somewhat interesting is that some of what you've been mentioning that apparently the USA is not getting shows up in the New Car Features book as being optional on the USA XLE grade, like the SKS and the Power Drivers Seat. That being said I haven't seen them mentioned in any of the USA brochures or websites... it's strange.

Jeff

EDIT: I'd like to add that a lot of times the new car features information isn't always 100% accurate as to what ends up being sold to the public. For example the variable intermittent wipers in the S and XRS in Canada are listed as optional in the NCF book, but in the brochures, etc, they are listed as standard features. Same goes for the sunroof, it is listed as optional for the XRS is NCF, but is listed as standard in the brochure.

Also and this angers me, (because I wanted it), but leather seats are listed as optional for the S and XRS in Canada in NCF book, but are not available at all in Canada. Same goes for the JBL Audio system.

Well that we know isn't gonna be on the US XLE models. They get the TRAC/VSC, JBL and nav. Makes it harder to compare cars which is probably what Toyota wants to do.

Yep. I've found plenty of bloopers on toyota.ca of stuff being optional or "-" (N/A). Like how power door locks isn't available on a Corolla LE or how they keep insisting that the Prius comes with a card type SKS key (like the LS Tech Pack) but we get the standard fob instead. Or how my 2008 Highlander brochure says there's a leather package for 4WD V6 SR5 but the site doesn't. I don't know if it's available or not cause I haven't seen an SR5 V6. Also the site says the base Highlander is a 5 pass with opt. 7 pass with the Comfort Package. The brochure says 7 pass in the specs for both yet in the features says "-" for the "3rd row flat folding bench-seat, rear seat headrests" for the base hybrid.


Edit: Jeff, it's also possible that the people decided to change their minds at the last minute. The Prius was listed as having ASL for the audio system in 2004 but we never got it til 2006 so maybe someone decided that they'll save that feature for an update.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Yeah as far as the NCF book is concerned, the USA XLE and Canada LE models are basically identical, as it turns out, this is not the case.

Ahh well. NCF books are great for technical information and how things work, and not that great for telling you what is actually available for purchase in the end.

Jeff

 

[Tideland Prius]

haha. ahh well, whaddya gonna do?

 

[alphabeta777]

So complex...

Every market has different specifications, even beyond the features one would normally interact with, such as the type of brakes, the transmissions etc.

I mean, I think Japan's Corolla (which has a different nose and tail to the rest of the world) has a CVT?

EDIT: Btw, what's the chassis code for US's new Corolla?