Introduction: This is the 10th generation of Toyota Corolla which has 5 trim levels. The CE being the least expensive, the LE being modestly equipped, the S having sport oriented seats and pedals, the XLE being fully loaded with good grain trim and lastly the XRS equipped with a Camry 4-cylinder and a body kit.
Performance: The new Corolla uses a newer 1.8L engine, however the difference in power is rather minimal over the previous one since this newer car is a bit heavier. With 132 hp and 128 lb.ft of torque its not nearly enough to be that different. The only thing this engine really does differently is save fuel a bit better. As a performance engine, this engine is not what you really want.
My Score: 7/10 - No real changes from last time despite the different engine. Slightly better fuel economy however.
Handling: This is the biggest change in the Corolla over the previous 9 generations. This car uses an electronic power steering system partially helping reduce fuel consumption. This is the biggest gripe I have with this new Corolla, there is a complete absence of feel. Steering straight is more difficult because you really have no feedback of how the car is moving. This is by far the dullest and worst feeling steering in the world. The Corolla doesn't change in the handling department other than being a bit worse than before, it still rolls and with the dull steering you'll have no confidence in the corners. This is absolutely terrible that Toyota has done this, removing items that make driving involving. Driving this car in the winter is surprisingly dangerous, it has a tendency to slide from the front, with the weak feedback you feel you have no control while the useless ABS light flashes.
My Score: 0/10 - I have no confidence in its ability with no feedback.
Interior: The last Corolla had a pretty generic interior but the materials were pretty decent along with good build quality. This one didn't follow that idea, instead you get a nicely presentable interior but once you actually see beneath the surface its pretty awful. The materials this time are very very cheap, I expect this from Chrysler but apparently Toyota wanted to make extra dough and used low quality plastic so they scratch ridiculously easy. The gauges are so generic with no imagination put into it, even Kia has better looking gauges. The days of roll up windows I thought would be gone...but surely Toyota felt these relics are still needed, even Nissan dropped this from its Sentra. These Corollas are built in Cambridge Ontario, the build quality is still pretty good. That said build quality doesn't really sustain an unacceptable interior especially with a badge like Toyota's.
My Score: 2/10 - Very poor materials, more generic than before, still has roll up windows and the Corolla isn't the cheapest car in the segment. Preventing a 0 score is due to the good build quality.
Styling: The Corolla has attempted to change its styling away from the admittedly generic 2003-2008 version. The problem however is the styling just doesn't match the way the car actually drives. The new style while borrowed from the Camry shows its more dynamic and seems more exciting...it couldn't be further from the truth of how this Corolla is. The rear end was not really changed so it still retains some generic styling. Not a great effort, actually this car's styling should have been applied to the previous generation while the previous car's body should be used for this one. The last car at least had some excitement in it, this one didn't.
My Score: 5/10 - Attempting to fool people into thinking the car something it isn't. Mostly generic styling borrowed from the Camry.
Value for money: The Corolla usually does well with value for money due to its name and reputation. This one I'm afraid doesn't offer the best value especially considering this car is outdated compared to many of its rivals. The Honda Civic is much more advanced and uses better materials, just pay a bit more and you'll have a better car. The Mazda 3 is superior to this Corolla when it comes down to the driving, significantly better handling and amazing steering feel. Even the generic Cobalt has something against this car...that car uses less cheap material and costs less.
My Score: 3/10 - Its down to that badge and whether you still trust it.
Overall: 17/50 - An extremely dull and horribly boring car, hurt badly by the low quality materials and not so cheap price.
This will be my harshest review of a Toyota. This car is so disappointing in several ways that it in my mind is an embarassment to what the Toyota badge means. Quality is certainly missing with the shockingly cheap plastic used. Toyota used to have "feel" in their "oh what a feeling" slogan, this car just has none of that. What's left is reliability, if it fails here then the car will be the worst car the company's ever made, no joke. Clearly in this segment there are far better choices out there, I would never pay Toyota money for this clearly rubbish product. If you want the reliability go with either the Mazda 3 or Honda Civic, the 3 for the excellent driving experience and the Civic for its fuel economy. This car has shaken my faith in the company, its been that bad.
What happened Toyota? This is the sort of car I expect from a soul less, greedy company. You're not like this...are you?
