The standard 1.8 four-cylinder engine feels plenty for most buyers, while others will be much more satisfied with either a Chevy Cruze or Mazda 3. You won't have to really push the engine too hard on faster paced roads, however around town the Corolla shines as it's light steering and comfortable suspension makes it easy to live with as a daily commuter car. What we like the most about the Corolla is despite it having secure handling, it certainly knows it's limit. You won't feel inspired to driving it hard through corners or bends because the steering feedback is so numb that you'll lose confidence fast. It's as if the steering wheel and the front wheels ended all communication between each other. The suspension like we said before is comfortable but when you do decide to drive spiritedly, there's way too much body roll. It's almost as if the Corolla has a higher center of gravity than a compact crossover.
Drive the Corolla the way it's intended and you'll be greeted by a quiet cabin. It's so quiet that you'd think that Lexus or Mercedes designed it, just don't look around the cabin because that's where the Lexus and Mercedes reference ends. The dashboard seems logically laid out and is very easy to use. The infotainment system is easy to navigate through but it can get very distracting while on the go. The Bluetooth connectivity is just a tad too fussy for our liking. The front seats are okay in terms of comfort and adjustability isn't really all that limited. The second row seats are so-so in comfort. The seat bottom feels flat and lacking in comfort. The boot offers decent space but the old-fashioned trunk hinges eats into precious boot space. A Volkswagen Golf has a smaller boot but makes the most of the space that it does have.
There's a dizzying number of trim levels to choose from. We will focus on just a few because the rest are priced so closely together that they feel rather pointless. Standard L trim gets Bi-LED headlights, power windows and Blueooth connectivity. You'll have to step up to the LE to get a 6.1-inch touch screen infotainment screen, remote keyless entry and automatic climate control. XLE adds multi-LED headlights, smart key system with push button start and power sunroof. Top of the range XLE adds power adjustable front seats, premium audio system and premium trimmed seats. Our tester car was the LE trim which does offer make the most sense financially thanks to extra bits such as remote keyless entry and automatic climate control. However, you'll have to step all the way up to the XLE to get alloy wheels.
The Toyota Corolla offers a compelling package for those who really do prefer to rest on their laurels when it comes to a compact sedan. It may not be as fun to drive as the Mazda 3 but it certainly does have the build quality and low running costs. We just wish that it wasn't so dull to drive.
Likes: Low running costs with excellent quality and refinement.
Dislikes: Dizzying number of trim levels, and it's just so dull to drive. Rivals have caught on to Toyota quality and are more engaging to drive.
Our pick: The XLE maybe a tad too expensive for some but you get plenty of standard kit. We would stick with the LE for those who don't want to spend the cash just for alloy wheels and fancier headlights. You get auto climate control and full touch screen infotainment system, that's enough for some people. It certainly was enough for us, but why aren't alloy wheels fitted as standard?
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