2 – 2014 Toyota Corolla S : 79,8 %
Don’t lament the loss just yet though, kiddies. It’s not all bad, and we’re not just attacking it because it’s a Corolla (yes, we know, we make a lot of fun of the car but it is actually quite good).
Let’s start with that good then: The 2014 Toyota Corolla S is, perhaps, the best FWD version of said Corolla to date. The Toyota has never been as good to drive as it is now. They made some changes to the suspension setup on the Toyota Corolla and it made a world of difference to the feel of the drive, and made us take notice. Essentially, the Corolla saw very few changes under its new body but we still feel it made a huge difference.
Also good is the exterior and interior look of the 2014 Toyota Corolla S. Hands down, this is the best-looking modern four-door Corolla from the past 25 years, give or take a few years. It’s sleek, stylish, and contemporary. Delightfully, the rear of the 2014 Toyota Corolla S has hints of the brand new Lexus IS design, if ever so slightly.
Inside, the modern feel continues. And while we were a bit torn on the attractiveness of the centre stack layout, there’s no denying it’s ergonomically designed and easy to use. It’s definitely got more buttons than the Mazda3, which perhaps lends one to think that it’s more high-end and/or luxurious because it’s got more “stuff.”
Then everything got a bit, ho-hum. While the feel of the ride and drive in the 2014 Toyota Corolla S is great, the engine is truly gutless with little or nothing to give at all, no matter how much you ask of it. The 1.8L 4-cylinder is just there to get you from A to B with no thrills or frills between. Absolutely none. Even the 6-speed manual added little excitement to the whole ordeal, which definitely hurt the Corolla’s score in the end.
We’re not sure what we expected out of the Corolla, but it was more than what we got that’s for sure. We understand the manual box will be few and far between in sales, and that the auto-box actually has a bit more oomph, which is a good thing.
Fuel efficiency numbers were essentially on par with the Mazda3 -- 6.7L for the Corolla and 6.87L for the Mazda3 -- that also didn’t help the Corolla in the long run.
Overall, we came to the conclusion that while the 2014 Toyota Corolla doesn’t do anything badly, it also doesn’t do anything with great excitement. This is still the car you buy if you need a car, nothing more. You have few criteria where character or fun-to-drive traits are concerned. You just need a reliable vehicle that does what it’s supposed to; buy a Corolla.
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
Don’t lament the loss just yet though, kiddies. It’s not all bad, and we’re not just attacking it because it’s a Corolla (yes, we know, we make a lot of fun of the car but it is actually quite good).
Let’s start with that good then: The 2014 Toyota Corolla S is, perhaps, the best FWD version of said Corolla to date. The Toyota has never been as good to drive as it is now. They made some changes to the suspension setup on the Toyota Corolla and it made a world of difference to the feel of the drive, and made us take notice. Essentially, the Corolla saw very few changes under its new body but we still feel it made a huge difference.
Also good is the exterior and interior look of the 2014 Toyota Corolla S. Hands down, this is the best-looking modern four-door Corolla from the past 25 years, give or take a few years. It’s sleek, stylish, and contemporary. Delightfully, the rear of the 2014 Toyota Corolla S has hints of the brand new Lexus IS design, if ever so slightly.
Inside, the modern feel continues. And while we were a bit torn on the attractiveness of the centre stack layout, there’s no denying it’s ergonomically designed and easy to use. It’s definitely got more buttons than the Mazda3, which perhaps lends one to think that it’s more high-end and/or luxurious because it’s got more “stuff.”
 |
| While we were a bit torn on the attractiveness of the centre stack layout, there’s no denying it’s ergonomically designed and easy to use. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Then everything got a bit, ho-hum. While the feel of the ride and drive in the 2014 Toyota Corolla S is great, the engine is truly gutless with little or nothing to give at all, no matter how much you ask of it. The 1.8L 4-cylinder is just there to get you from A to B with no thrills or frills between. Absolutely none. Even the 6-speed manual added little excitement to the whole ordeal, which definitely hurt the Corolla’s score in the end.
We’re not sure what we expected out of the Corolla, but it was more than what we got that’s for sure. We understand the manual box will be few and far between in sales, and that the auto-box actually has a bit more oomph, which is a good thing.
Fuel efficiency numbers were essentially on par with the Mazda3 -- 6.7L for the Corolla and 6.87L for the Mazda3 -- that also didn’t help the Corolla in the long run.
Overall, we came to the conclusion that while the 2014 Toyota Corolla doesn’t do anything badly, it also doesn’t do anything with great excitement. This is still the car you buy if you need a car, nothing more. You have few criteria where character or fun-to-drive traits are concerned. You just need a reliable vehicle that does what it’s supposed to; buy a Corolla.
 |
| While the feel of the ride and drive in the 2014 Toyota Corolla S is great, the engine is truly gutless with little or nothing to give at all, no matter how much you ask of it. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |