The Toyota Corolla has long been a staple of the American auto market. The Corolla (and Honda’s Civic) has become even more popular, due to today’s high gas prices. The all-new 2009 Toyota Corolla offers a different look than its previous incarnations, as well as other changes. What does the new model from Toyota bring to consumers? Let’s take a look.

The last changes to the Corolla came about 6 years ago; an eternity in the auto industry. In a world where most vehicles change looks and performance every 2 – 4 years, the Corolla’s staid stance is both a testament to the vehicle’s popularity and the automaker’s knowledge that they are one of the industry leaders. However, change comes to all things, even the Corolla.

The new 2009 Toyota Corolla offers a complete redesign of the body, as well as new engines for each trim level. While the body is not sporty at all, it does hold with the Corolla’s perceived place as the family eco-car. The somewhat staid design is similar to that of the new Civic, though the front end is markedly different and the car is not quite as wide. [Read more →]

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Pony car lovers have a few reasons to rejoice with the new model year around the corner. However, the new 2009 Ford Mustang is largely a rehash of last year’s options, with a few additional options thrown into the mix. A few other options are now standard on all Mustangs; however, fans will be somewhat disappointed in the 45th Anniversary Edition ‘Stang. What does the new model year hold for this staple of the muscle car segment and the most popular sports can in the US?

The new Mustang sees nothing new under the hood. The engine options and transmission pairings remain the same from last year. The V6 is a 4.0-liter with a 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic (sorry, no 6-speeds!), that produces 210 horsepower in a SOHC setting. The GT and convertible are still available with the 300 horsepower V8. This 4.6-liter engine is also paired with the same 5-speed stick or 5-speed automatic transmissions.

So what is new for the 45th Anniversary Edition? Other than the inclusion of many previous options as standard fare, the glass roof is the only thing new. As an enhancement, it’s a fantastic offering, specifically geared towards the sports car market segment. However, it does not provide any performance enhancements, so diehard Pony fans may be left out in the cold (wait until 2010, folks!). [Read more →]

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