Toyota, as primary sponsor of this year's SEMA show, took the opportunity to stage a big-time debut of its 2009 Corolla and Corolla Matrix, headlined by the supercharged __ Corrolla S3__ (pictured here) and Matrix Rally tuner concepts. The tenth-generation Corolla arrives in five trim levels: Base, LE, XLE, S, and performance-oriented XRS; the top engine is a 2.4-liter four with 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The Matrix (above right) offers only Base, S, and XRS models, with the same engine options — a 132-horspower 1.8-liter four or the 2.4-liter engine. All in all, both models are firmly planted on the safe side of the fence, and we can't say we're surprised. The Matrix has a niche appeal, at best, so it can afford to be somewhat funkier, but the Corolla is a high-volume, comfort-food kind of car for Toyota. Playing if safe means less risk of offending the core demographic.
More photos after the break, courtesy of Toyota.
2009 Toyota Corolla
2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix
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