It's more of the same on the inside. The design and layout in the compact Toyota is good, in general. The controls are all in the right places, but Toyota and quality materials and craftsmanship are no longer complementary. The plastics are dismally hard and panel fit is no better than average.
Of the few other cabin-related niggles I found, the biggest culprit is the location of the circa-1995 quartz clock at the very bottom of the centre stack; it is impossible to consult with your eyes without completely leaving the road. Also, the audio display screen is practically invisible the moment it's sunny outside. Next in line are the seats that lack thigh support for most body types. Once again, swing by Ford, Hyundai and Chevrolet to compare.
Unfortunately, it doesn't get much better from here on in. The car's standard 1.8L 4-cylinder is not a happy revver. It'll do the job in most instances as it provides a fair dollop of torque down low. Its 132 hp rating is the second-lowest in the segment (behind the 2011 115-hp, 2.0L Jetta) and does what it can well enough.
Regrettably, the little lump is handicapped by a 4-speed autobox which, I must admit, works smoothly but is geared from here to Siberia and slow to react. As you read these lines, the Corolla and the 2011 Subaru Impreza are the last compacts to offer such a transmission. Come October 2011, the Corolla will be the only one.
Most others have moved on to 6-speed or CVT 'boxes with a minority sticking to 5-speed automatic transmissions. What the 4-speed does is sap the life out of the engine in exchange for reasonable fuel economy. My returned average was of 8 L/100km. Better get used to being patient when passing as well...
More bad news: The tested Corolla S' brakes were unresponsive at the top-end of the pedal's travel and generally weak. To be safe, and not be the only person to think so, I randomly handed the keys to four other people at the office, and they all reported the same. The car will stop though, once enough pressure is applied to the pedal.
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| The design and layout in the compact Toyota is good, in general. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Of the few other cabin-related niggles I found, the biggest culprit is the location of the circa-1995 quartz clock at the very bottom of the centre stack; it is impossible to consult with your eyes without completely leaving the road. Also, the audio display screen is practically invisible the moment it's sunny outside. Next in line are the seats that lack thigh support for most body types. Once again, swing by Ford, Hyundai and Chevrolet to compare.
Unfortunately, it doesn't get much better from here on in. The car's standard 1.8L 4-cylinder is not a happy revver. It'll do the job in most instances as it provides a fair dollop of torque down low. Its 132 hp rating is the second-lowest in the segment (behind the 2011 115-hp, 2.0L Jetta) and does what it can well enough.
Regrettably, the little lump is handicapped by a 4-speed autobox which, I must admit, works smoothly but is geared from here to Siberia and slow to react. As you read these lines, the Corolla and the 2011 Subaru Impreza are the last compacts to offer such a transmission. Come October 2011, the Corolla will be the only one.
Most others have moved on to 6-speed or CVT 'boxes with a minority sticking to 5-speed automatic transmissions. What the 4-speed does is sap the life out of the engine in exchange for reasonable fuel economy. My returned average was of 8 L/100km. Better get used to being patient when passing as well...
More bad news: The tested Corolla S' brakes were unresponsive at the top-end of the pedal's travel and generally weak. To be safe, and not be the only person to think so, I randomly handed the keys to four other people at the office, and they all reported the same. The car will stop though, once enough pressure is applied to the pedal.
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| Its 132 hp rating is the second-lowest in the segment and does what it can well enough. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |