Toyota COROLLA 1.6 range
Take the worlds most popular car, the Toyota Corolla and fit it with the Corollas most popular engine, the 1.6-litre and youll find yourself slap bang in the middle of the mass market. Whereas this was once a byword for all things mediocre, things have changed enormously in the past few years, as has the Toyota Corolla.
Even the most ardent Toyotaphile wouldnt argue with the fact that driving a Corolla used to be about as exciting as listening to a radio commentary of paint drying. An exception can be made for the sporty models, but even these were never really on the hot hatch pace. The latest generation Toyota Corolla is hugely different. Not only does it mix it with the class best, but in many respects it occupies P1 on the podium.
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Inside, trim and cabin detailing have been improved and all models are fitted with slick Optitron digital instrument displays and telescopic steering wheel adjustment for improved comfort.
"The Toyota Corolla is a hugely complete car, and the 1.6-litre version is undoubtedly the pick of the range."
The 1.6-litre VVTi engine were looking at here develops a healthy 110bhp, more than enough to entertain, especially when acting in partnership with a talented chassis that rivals the Ford Focus for best in class. Ford certainly dont have a petrol engine to hold a candle to the Toyota 1.6 however.
The figures speak for themselves an average of over 40mpg with a decent turn of speed. With a maximum velocity of 118mph, the Corolla will sprint through 60mph in 10.2 seconds, with a rasping metallic zing as you nudge the redline. The VVTi system (Variable Valve Timing intelligent) effectively provides the characteristics of two engines for the price of one with decent top end power and low end flexibility.
Youll feel the benefit of this in the way the Corolla pulls cleanly from as low as 1,800rpm despite the fact that its 110lb/ft of torque is generated at a comparatively high 4,800rpm. An emissions figure of 168g/km is perhaps the only blot on the copybook. Available in no fewer than five different body styles (three and five door hatch, saloon, estate and Verso mini-MPV) the Corolla 1.6 range scores in terms of versatility.
The three-door hatch is solely available in T3 trim which has grown more sporty than it used to be through the addition of side skirts, a carbon fibre dash and leather on the gearstick and steering wheel. The five-door variant offers T2, T3 and T-Spirit in a range that starts at £12,900 and tops out at £14,600 for the top estate variant. Saloons are also offered from £12,900 in T2 trim. Designed in France, the latest Corolla has been designed with European tastes in mind.
Like its rival, the Fiat Stilo, the Toyotas styling does little to betray the parent companys nationality, instead opting for the sort of clean, global village styling that many pundits would pigeonhole as Germanic. Not so. Yes, theres more than a hint of Audi A3 in the rear three-quarter view of the three-door variant and the interior is Teutonically dark: but then, were getting used to seeing that. Modern car design now transcends national borders, and the Corolla is prima facie evidence. Repair costs are down 50%, six airbags are standard (along with ABS) on every model, theres a new seat design and special electric power steering, plus the usual three-year warranty. The outgoing Corolla was probably the greatest exposition of the car as an example of white goods: unexciting, utterly reliable and representing the classic low involvement buying decision. Basically, it was a vehicle bought by people who had no interest or affection for cars. Theres little doubt that a fair proportion of old Corolla buyers will suffer the effects of inertia and buy one of the latest models. Just as a number of buyers bought the Ford Puma for its cute good looks and lucked into the fact that it was also a great drivers car, so those automotive grazers who sleepily move from one generation Corolla to the next will unwittingly find themselves at the wheel of something unexpectedly class competitive.
You lucky people. Quality is the first area of improvement. Toyota has quite unashamedly used the Volkswagen Golf as its quality benchmark and the cabin therefore features silicone-damped grab handles, soft-touch plastics on the fascia, enough rubber-lined recesses to put a twinkle in the eye of a back-bench Tory MP and doors that say thunk rather than ding when they close. Closer inspection shows little evidence of corner cutting.
Although the steering wheel only adjusts for height, its easy to obtain a comfortable driving position and the sheer ease and intuitiveness of all the minor controls is a testament to Toyotas understanding of how we interact with a car. The Verso mini-MPV variant looks interesting, with the usual five seater slide/tilt/remove capability for the rear seats, although some will doubtless baulk at the rather strange broken back styling last seen on the Alfa 75. It also features a different fascia to the more mainstream models with a dash-mounted gearstick in the style of the Honda Stream. Predictably it also includes a good deal more cubbyhole and stowage space.
The Toyota Corolla is a hugely complete car, and the 1.6-litre version is undoubtedly the pick of the range. It has no significant holes in its armour. The designers at Ford, Honda, Peugeot and Fiat have a tough task on their hands.
The designers at Toyota will also do well to think up an eventual successor.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Toyota Corolla 1.6 range
PRICES: £12,900-£14,600 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 168g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.2s / Max Speed 118mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 40.3mpg / (extra urban) 47.8mpg / (urban) 31.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] length/width/heightmm 4180/1710/1475
