Toyota COROLLA
The last
Toyota Corolla was the worlds best-seller. Vanessa Hinkley checks out the sequel
What does it take to become a world best-seller? Toyota were obviously able to answer that question when they launched the old generation Corolla. However, times change and the manufacturers want to keep this car ahead of the race enter the latest Corolla range. This model generation is on a mission to be all things to all people; well most things to a lot of people would be more accurate. As a result, its offered in three and five-door hatch variants, along with an estate, a saloon and a five-door
mini MPV, the Corolla Verso.
All the models have been subjected to a recent facelift to freshen things up with the teardrop shaped headlamps forming the most obvious difference. If youre the sort who likes to stand out in a crowd then the Corolla probably still isnt going to ring your bell. Its far prettier than previous generations of the car but it still lacks genuine personality. The model I took on loan was a 1.
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6VVT-i T Spirit model in five-door form.
The Corolla is and always has been an eminently practical proposition. The old model 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. 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. There are no awkwardly located buttons that will have you fumbling around in the dark for or storage areas that will fling an apple Danish into your lap at the first twitch of the steering wheel. The Verso
mini-MPV variant looks interesting, with the usual five seater slide/tilt/remove capability for the rear seats.
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 and its extremely family friendly. You can even specify it with a child pack that features an auxiliary flip-down mirror so that you can keep an eye on the offspring in the back. On second thoughts, would you really want to?
The 1.6-litre engine in the Corolla T Spirit was certainly spirited, although recourse to the manual was required to establish what VVT-i stood for. Suitably enlightened, I can now explain in great detail how it varies the valve timing by shifting the phase angle of camshafts. For example, at high speed, the inlet camshaft will be rotated in advance by 30° to enable earlier intake. This movement is controlled by engine management system according to need, and actuated by hydraulic valve gears. Armed with this fascinating snippet of knowledge you will also be able to berate motoring TV show presenters as they change up just as the camshaft is about to do its 30 degree thing. Guaranteed to intimidate any couchbound husband.
Otherwise, the Corolla is much as you would expect on the road. It handles tidily, safely and competently, but the ride is better than many in its class. Even the range topping 187bhp T Sport version wont have you searching out a sports bra every time you get behind the wheel.
At £14,395 the Corolla 1.6 T Spirit isnt going to send Credit Neary to the wall, and it stacks up reasonably against its competitors. Reliability is virtually assured, and theres always a ready market when it comes to resale time. As with any upspec car, the T Spirit wont perform as well when it s time to sell on as a cheaper Corolla model, but youd live with that for all the additional equipment it comes with.
Most definitely. The Corolla has just the sort of practical attributes I like without being so bland that it extinguishes the will to live nor so racy my neighbours will think Ive just divorced the old man. So, what does T Spirit smell like? Quite unlike a fridge, a washing machine or a chest freezer and thatll probably be music to Toyotas ears.
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