2005 Toyota Corolla Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$14,320 to $18,095

6.3/10

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Toyota makes minor changes to one of the most popular cars on the planet.

New for 2003, the ninth-generation Toyota Corolla continued this compact sedan's fuel efficiency, cost, and steadfast reliability while improving quality and safety. The 2005 is a notable model year for two reasons: Side curtain airbags and stability control became options, as did an all-new XRS sport model with a high-revving engine straight out of the Celica.

6.3

out of 10 expert review

Look & feel

5/10

Toyota made mild changes to the front end—notice how the "T" badge is positioned at the top of the grille instead of dead-center—and swapped in restyled taillights. Otherwise, the 2005 Corolla is the epitome of a boring little car, with or without the SE's trunk-lid spoiler and extra body cladding. Save for the Chevrolet Cobalt, no other mid-2000s competitor looks any better, but few can boast the same build quality. Toyota claims it used the same tolerance standards for panel fitments and body gaps as Lexus. Inside, everything but the LE's glossy fake wood will age well. That trim also offers leather seats and "Optitron" gauges that appeared sharper. The three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in leather on all trims except the base CE, while the S has a unique tachometer. The XRS has its own cloth trim and accents.

Performance

6/10

A 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder is standard with 130 horsepower, 125 pound-feet of torque, and a 5-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. A 4-speed automatic is optional on all trims except the XRS, which is new for 2005 and comes with a rare gem: A 6-speed manual. The XRS is legit sporty. It comes with a stiffer suspension, a half-inch lower ride height, retuned steering, larger 16-inch wheels, and a 170-hp engine that revs to 8,200 rpm and uses variable intake valve timing that makes some wild sounds for a Corolla. Aside from the XRS, the Corolla drives with minimal verve. It's a docile machine with light steering, a quiet ride, and a soft brake pedal.

Fuel economy is estimated, using current EPA formulas, at 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for the five-speed manual CE/S/LE trims. The automatic gets 26/35/29, while the performance XRS takes a hit at 22/31/25.

Form & function

7/10

From a livability standpoint, the seating position is the worst thing about the 2005 Corolla. Test drivers can't seem to get comfortable. Else, the Corolla is easy to use, and it offers lots of cubby storage, large controls for the stereo and climate... and that's it. The trunk is spacious and the seats fold 60/40. Visibility from the driver's seat is excellent. A sunroof is optional.

Technology

6/10

New for 2005 is an optional JBL stereo with a six-disc CD changer. Power windows do not come standard. They're part of an option package that includes cruise control and keyless entry. An outside temperature gauge comes standard, along with air conditioning.

Safety

6/10

New for 2005 are head-curtain airbags and stability control, but they're optional safety features to go with optional front side airbags and anti-lock brakes. Most Corolla models won't have them unless it's the top LE trim. At the time, the 2005 Corolla was rated five out of five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in driver and passenger frontal crashes, and four out of five for side-impact crashes for the driver and rear passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Corolla its top Good rating in its frontal crash test but only Acceptable when equipped with head-curtain airbags. Without them, the Corolla rated the worst score of Poor.

Cost-effectiveness

8/10

The Corolla costs very little to maintain and is designed to last well past 150,000 miles without anything major happening. That, plus decent performance and a quiet, roomy interior, make the Corolla a good choice for 2005.

by Clifford Atiyeh

Published May 25, 2021

What owners say

AI Summary · 41 reviews

"Owners of the 2005 Toyota Corolla generally appreciate its reliability, fuel economy, and comfortable interior. Many drivers highlighted its solid performance in city driving, good braking, and low maintenance costs. However, some felt that it lacked power and excitement, with a few mentioning that it's not the most thrilling car to drive. Overall, it seems to be a practical choice for those seeking a dependable and affordable ride."

4.4

41 reviews

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by Vanessa D

Fantastic 4 cylinder engine.Great gas mileage. A great value.Cheap insurance. Overall a great buy!

May 10, 2021

by Tim S

This little car has been very reliable and drives nice. It get very good fuel economy and has cost very little to maintain. It has been wonderfully reliable and is comfortable to drive. We have make many trips to Chicago and have driven it on Vacation to Colorado. It has 130 K mile on it and acts like it has many miles left in it.

February 16, 2013

by Debbie M

fantastic all round family car.very economical. Strurdy and looked pretty sporty for a 1.4. held its price to. It cost 14.995 brand new and i have to say it must have been the best and most reliable car i have ever owned. Unfortunately we just out grew it.In the 3 years i had it it only went in for a minor repair. Brill car

September 18, 2008