And how reliable is it? The gold standard, JD Power ranks Toyota as
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| Not messing with success has allowed the Corolla to land a spot on Consumer Report's best pick many, many times. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press) |
the most reliable entry-level nameplate (unless you count Buick as entry level, and Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand is first overall) in its Vehicle Dependability Study (compiled in 2005 for 2002 vehicles over a 3-year period), ranking 7th overall out of 37 nameplates. Consumer Reports is always high on Toyota, and it lists the Corolla as a Most Reliable pick for the 2004 model in the compact class. Sorry, none of the 2005 stats were out at the time of this writing. When it comes to reliability, Toyota doesn't mess with whatever formula they have that has kept them on top for years.
Another
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| Sometimes, plain is good. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press) |
feature the Corolla often gets knocked for is its styling, but I LIKE it. I may not be passionate about it, and I definitely like the XRS trimmings (or even Sport, for that matter), but I think the Corolla is an attractive car, a vast improvement over its predecessor and better looking than its biggest rival, the previous Honda Civic. Compared to the new Civic, I find it delightfully tasteful and good looking in its simple charms, no wind-tunnel styling to test the limits of its shopping audience.
The interior, too, is plain yet appealing, nothing
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| A bit price for what you get, but the Corolla holds its value like little else on the market. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press) |
flashy, nothing confusing, and all the basics that I would look for when doing a mental checklist: power windows, power mirrors, AM/FM radio with CD, air conditioning, keyless entry, cupholders and an automatic transmission. The aforementioned equipment, included with this tester, bumps the price up from the base $14,105 to $16,595. At under $17,000 I could imagine putting money towards this car, but tack on another $580 for freight and delivery, and the sticker is tickling $18K's chin. That's a lot of coin for a very basic car. About the only upside to that price is that the Corolla holds its value so well that it is practically an investment. Once you knock off the initial depreciation, the Corolla
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| The Corolla: a solid, sensible choice. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press) |
keeps its resale value like a fading Hollywood starlet clutching her plastic surgeon's cell number.
After only a week with the car, I understood that the Corolla is not a car that tugs on the heart-strings or moves its customers to great passions. No, it is a car that gets purchased after long and careful consideration over just what is the best value available, not necessarily the cheapest outright, but with running costs and maintenance factored in, plus that all-important resale, it starts to look more and more like a bargain with every passing year. Of course, I can't guarantee that this '06 will actually hold up as its predecessors have, but I wouldn't put my money on any other car to beat it. It's just a solid, sensible choice.
Specifications (Corolla CE):- Price Range (Corolla CE MSRP): $14,105 - $16,595
- Body Type: 4-door sedan
- Layout: front engine, FWD
- Engine: 126-hp, 122 lb-ft of torque, 1.8L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
- Transmission: 5-spd manual (optional 4-spd auto)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum (optional ABS)
- Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 178.3 / 66.9 / 58.3 / 102.4 in
- Curb Weight: 2,592 lbs
- Tires: 185/65R15
- Capacity: 13.6 cu-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 30 / 42 mpg
- Observed Fuel Economy: 37 mpg
- Warranty (mo/miles): 36/36,000 comprehensive - 60/60,000 powertrain
- Competitors: Chevrolet Cobalt, Dodge Caliber, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Saturn ION, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki Forenza / Aerio, VW Golf / Jetta
- Website: www.toyota.com
