Making 39 more horsepower, but 23 fewer lb-ft of twist than the XRS, Honda's Civic Si could go 0-60 in 6.7 seconds, run the ...

In short: no, not really. Although the Civic has dominated the economy class for something insane like 32 years, it has a hard time keeping up with what other automakers are throwing at it.

Keep in mind, this isn't a Honda Civic Si or Mazdaspeed 3 competitor. In terms of base price, power, and disposition, the XRS lines up better with a Civic EX-L or Mazda 3 Grand Touring.

2008 Honda Civic EX . 2008 Mazda 3s Grand Touring . 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium . 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS . POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS . Drivetrain layout . Front engine, FWD . Front engine, FWD ...

And although Toyota has at least brought back the XRS model for 2009, and even given it the Scion xB’s 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, it’s still no Civic Si.

Before Toyota unleashed the bananas GR Corolla, the Japanese automaker offered the Corolla XRS in an effort to get in the ring with the Honda Civic Si and go punch-for-punch. This was 2009, an era ...