Corolla's wider, longer and lower bodyline with better proportions
Toyota knew that the
Corolla needed a redesign to keep up with the competition, especially the Honda
Civic and Ford Focus, which sport updated engines, fresh in-vehicle technology
and alluring designs.
The Japanese automaker is
also mindful of the Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze and Kia Rio — all competitive
choices that offer newer tech than what Toyota had to sell.
Fact is, Toyota had gotten
complacent with the Corolla. Aside from a few styling cues here and there, the
Corolla has changed little since 2008, and even then its reputation for being
the most vanilla of flavors in the dealership icebox was never at question. And
since sales remained steady, Toyota didn't seem to mind.
Consequently, we were
hoping to see a radical exterior redesign for 2014. What Toyota did instead was
a remix; it's wider, longer and lower, with better proportions, LED taillights
and a bigger interior. But those looking for sex appeal will still be asked
"Why did you buy a Corolla?"
Inside, the changes are
more dramatic. The dashboard arrives covered in soft-touch material with faux
and real stitching depending on trim, while pinstriped accents are strewn about
the cabin. All models have a new three-dial gauge cluster with chrome trim
except the S model, which features a two-gauge gauge cluster containing a
3.5-inch black-and-white display with trip computer functions.
On the plus side, the dash
boasts a clean and easy to navigate layout. On the minus side, some of the dash
panels reflect too much and it direct sunlight can nearly blind the driver.
Same goes for the environmental controls, which are located underneath the
radio in the center console and in some angles can't be seen.
The new Corolla dashboard covered in soft-touch material with faux and real stitching
But there is a surprisingly
large amount of head and leg room with far better seats. The front seats have a
more supportive lower cushion with new bolster design that will make journeys
longer than a typical commute less punishing, as will sound-insulating measures
(seals, insulation, and glass). And after years of lagging, Toyota brings the
Corolla out of the electronic dark ages with the availability of Toyota's
latest Entune entertainment system and standard Bluetooth connections. But once
again, Toyota didn't go all the way; the Corolla lacks features like blind-spot
monitoring, a rear-view camera and parking sensors that other affordable small
cars offer.
Under the hood, Toyota left
the Corolla’s drivetrain pretty much alone; why mess with the primary reason
the Corolla has remained so reliable for some many years? Consequently, the
2014 Corolla will come with two versions of a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine,
neither of which delivers serious thrust. The 132-hp carryover version will
power the Corolla L, LE, and S. Only the LE Eco gets a more modern version of
the 1.8 engine with 140 hp. The suspension and other handling bits and pieces
are largely the same as before with struts up front and a cost-saving rear
torsion beam.
And yet, on the road, the
2014 Corolla feels changed.
Like the out-going model,
the 2014 is underpowered, struggling with passing, merging and climbing hills —
generally any situation where you want more grunt. However, it’s also livelier,
peppier somehow, than the outgoing model, which doesn’t make sense because it
is actually heavier and not significantly more powerful.
A completely new LED taillights
Props for the improvements
should go to the updated transmission options: a continuously variable
automatic, which offers a “stepped seven-speed” function in S models, and a
fresh six-speed manual. Clutch-pedal availability is limited strictly to the
base L or loaded S models, and the bargain-basement L trim also comes with a
miserly 4-speed automatic. The electronically managed CVT emulates the feel of
a traditional automatic while being more efficient, quieter, and offering a
better range of ratios. It’s one of the most impressive we driven to date, and
better at keeping the engine in its power band than the other choices.
Such was the story with
ride and handling; a few steps forward, but no transformation. The Corolla has
notably improved its steering — accurate, quick but still a bit numb. Due to
the car's lower stance, it no longer feels like you're straddling a milk crate
when you’re in the driver’s seat. You feel more connected to the road, less
wonky. Even so, the car handled the twists and turns no better that the
outgoing model, and certainly not better than some of its competition. And the
brakes take longer to stop than we'd like.
The 2014 Corolla is a
better car than its predecessor. Yet the market has moved so fast, and Toyota
has so limited its ambitions outside of interior upgrades, that the Corolla's
back to where it began as reliable, basic transportation. Forty million people
aren't wrong — they simply can afford to drive and own this car. If you’re
looking for more excitement in your choice of wheels, look elsewhere.
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