Front occupants are treated to a comfortable ride in the 2005 Toyota Corolla XRS. The well-bolstered seats, upholstered in a durable sport fabric, provide ample back support and keep bodies firmly planted in the turns, though finding a suitable driving position is a challenge. With the seat adjusted for proper distance to the pedals, reaching the steering wheel (which tilts but is not telescoping) becomes difficult. Adjust the seat according to the steering wheel position, and the pedals end up being too close. In the rear, the seat bottom is firm, but the seat back is stiff and flat. Lacking is a folding seat back, center armrest or center pass-through. If the 2005 Toyota Corolla XRS was a serious sporting car, these deletions may make more sense. However, as this remains a compact sedan, some cargo versatility is a reasonable request, and is found on XRS competitors.

Build quality was only average on our test car. The top of dash was loose, as were the plastic pieces surrounding the gauge cluster and parts of the door armrest. Irregular gaps were noticed around the center dash storage pockets and the radio. However, the lower dash and console were sturdy and these components lined up well. Outside, inconsistent gaps were found on both sides of the hood. These complaints are relatively minor, though interior issues do raise some concerns regarding future squeaks and rattles as mileage adds up.

Front doors include small storage pockets, there are a few dash mounted storage slots good for coins or cell phones, and the center armrest storage is deep, though not very large. Four fixed-size cupholders are found inside the cabin. The rear seat lacks any storage, so on long drives or roadtrips, atlases and other necessities will apparently be relegated to the floor or rear seat. This relative lack of storage is offset by the generous spacious trunk.