Now back to reality. The 2005 Toyota Corolla XRS is a great car, not only because the seats are the best I've tested in

Both the Corolla and Matrix XRS get a 170 horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

years but it also handles extremely well, offers ample power and looks pretty good for a sedan. The XRS trim is new for the 2005 model year and both the Corolla and Matrix XRS get a re-tweaked naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, featuring 16-valves and DOHC architecture. It's an engine shared with the soon to be discontinued Celica GT-S, and revs to the moon and back with little effort. The 2005 XRS also gets a few new functional standard features over the regular Corolla, as expected. That

The XRS has a 0 to 100 km/h time of less than 8 seconds, not bad considering the engine only provides 127 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

engine, by the way, produces 170 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 127 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, giving the suave sedan a serious boost in output over the 130 horsepower base engine. Lovers of automatic transmissions need not apply, however, as the XRS is also only fitted with one transmission: a 6-speed manual to optimally harness all 170 horses. Some of that additional engine power comes thanks to Variable Valve Timing with Lift (VVTL-i), which effectively fattens the torque curve while optimizing fuel economy. It's a sporty engine that's quick to respond, but could have used more torque. Still, delivering a 0 to 100 km/h time of less than 8 seconds is quite impressive.