Toyota Corolla S 2014

Toyota Corolla S 2014: If you're going shopping in the compact-car class, fuel effectiveness and also cost are most absolutely among your top concerns. Toyota's upgraded compact car supplies both-- as long as you're ALRIGHT with a couple of tradeoffs in comfort.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla is a big enhancement, yet it ranks merely midpack against various other compacts, specifically in terms of cabin noise and also ride quality.

Together with an outside styling transformation, the 11th-generation Corolla gets a changed engine and a more high end interior for 2014.

This is a big, busy class with plenty of solid contenders and a near-constant redesign timetable. The Corolla's primary rivals include the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra as well as Ford Emphasis.


Toyota Corolla S 2014


Outside & Styling

For 2014, the Corolla pulled an automotive Miley Cyrus: Toyota took the sedan's exterior from Hannah Montana conventional to attention-grabbing starlet (sadly, Robin Thicke wasn't included). Its typical LED-accented headlights, sculpted body lines and also pumped-up grille make it one of the most dramatic-looking Corolla yet. In truth, nonetheless, any type of upgrade would've boosted the 2013 version from the midsts of its drabness.

Instantaneously apparent are cues Toyota borrowed from the Avalon huge car (the grille as well as headlights specifically look familiar), and also although the words "large sedan" don't typically share exhilaration in the designing department, the result services the Corolla. The car's fresh looks can not match the hostile, flashy stance of the Kia Strength or the sweeping beauty of the Hyundai Elantra, however it can get rid of "uninteresting" from its list of concerns.

Just how It Drives

Although the old Corolla's dull appearances are gone, a polished exterior can't conceal a rugged driving experience.

Initially, the hits: Toyota did a wonderful work with the continuously variable automatic transmission. It really feels more all-natural and also refined than the systems in the Subaru Impreza and also Nissan Sentra. I drove the Corolla LE Eco model, as well as power distribution from the 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder was likewise quicker than the various other 2. Some CVTs in the class take their time building power as well as trigger their engines to whine noisally, however Toyota's is both responsive and also relatively silent. It can get loud when pushed, but it's much from the most significant wrongdoer.

Other designs (L, LE and also S trims) make use of a variation of the 1.8-liter that's good for 132 hp. Criterion on the base L is a six-speed manual transmission, as well as an old four-speed automatic is optional; the CVT is common on all various other trims.

The LE Eco model's powertrain is the most effective. Throughout my 200-mile trek in the city and on the freeway, the Corolla returned stellar gas mileage: 38.3 mpg, which is far better compared to the EPA's ranking of 30/42/35 mpg city/highway/combined. Base versions with the guidebook are still impressive, with a 28/37/31 mpg score, which is midpack compared to base variations of the Civic (28/36/31 mpg), Emphasis (26/36/30 mpg) as well as Elantra (28/38/32 mpg).

Currently the misses: Although respectable pep places it at the top in terms of power, unreasonable sound degrees go down the Corolla to the bottom of the segment. Sound gathers from everywhere. The mirrors reason a fair bit of wind ruckus, and roadway noise will certainly have you examining to see if all the home windows are shut, leaving the powertrain's unrefined note topping off circus-like levels of loudness. This was a problem with the previous version, too, and the redesign hasn't already place a dent in it.

Though on the solid side, an also larger trouble with the sedan's flight quality is a lack of isolation. Way too much of the road comes into the cabin, so uneasy levels of resonance and cruelty are constant, unwelcome travelers. The ride itself usually borders on anxious, with a little bit too much hop over bigger bumps. Like the Honda Civic, the suppleness is bearable initially yet comes to be exponentially unpleasant as the drive wears on. The Kia Specialty and Ford Emphasis, however, ace ride high quality; both maintain a comfortable level of calmness over bumps.

The Corolla ratings much better in terms of handling, with natural-feeling steering and positive roadholding capacities. It does not feel sporty, yet the car takes edges without sloppiness.

Inside

The remodeling is no much less extreme in. Toyota replaced the previous generation's drab style as well as materials with an appealing blend of shade and also structure, in addition to an extra straight control format.

The Corolla I drove combined a dark green exterior with camel-colored tones inside as well as was very inviting. It's a renovation over in 2014's budget-grade motif, yet the cabin still cannot match the Elantra's mix of high-grade materials as well as innovative design. It does, nonetheless, offer more quality and also design compared to the cabins of the squeak-and-rattle-prone Emphasis and also traditional Strength.

Appeal is not skin deep in this case. Not only does the within look excellent, however it also really feels great, also. The door panel armrest is cushioned enough, as well as the seats strike an excellent balance: supportive without being also firm, pleasant without being also mushy. One little missing product is a moving sun visor, which many automobiles have and also are useful every day.

At 182.6 inches long, the Corolla is one of the most significant cars in the class after growing a pair inches for 2014. Additional length indicates included passenger area, and also legroom is generous in the front and rear seats. The rear seat cushion, nonetheless, is rock-solid.

Functional design & Electronic devices

Numerous controls as well as screens remain in a comparable area in the new-generation Corolla, but the design has actually been stretched horizontally for 2014. It resembles Toyota was aiming for an extra streamlined setup. The outcome is much more enticing total, however the panel is still overwhelmed with buttons. Figuring out just what they all do isn't a problem, nevertheless.

The 6.1-inch touch-screen sound unit is once more common on the LE trim level as well as above but inaccessible on base trims. The display size is respectable for food selection readability and also button size. The system includes Toyota's Entune app suite, as well as Bluetooth audio streaming with my Android phone was seamless. Connecting to my Pandora Internet radio application was also simple, however I wish to see even more performance. You could use the touch-screen to play and stop briefly a track, yet features like skipping a tune or packing a brand-new station aren't available.

Freight & Storage space

Despite the gains in size, the Corolla's trunk is still fairly small, with simply 13 cubic feet of space. That's up from last year's score of 12.3 and also bigger compared to the Civic's trunk (12.5 ), yet slightly smaller than the Focus (13.2) and also Elantra (14.8 ). Extra irritating is the Corolla's trunk style. Large metal joints extend right into the baggage area; numerous automakers have upgraded to smaller, strut-like gadgets.

The rear seat folds up in a 60/40 split for additional freight space-- an useful feature that isn't conventional on the Civic or Emphasis.

Up front, there's a phone-sized cubby conveniently located in front of complementary input and also USB ports, as well as a small-ish facility console; the Civic's is a lot larger and also includes a comfy gliding armrest. For the rear seat, there are 2 lightweight pop-out cupholders (they would not last a week with my household) and also one bottleholder in each door.

Security

The 2014 Toyota Corolla is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Security Choose, making Great ratings in all locations of screening other than the hard brand-new small-overlap frontal accident examination. The Corolla scored Minimal in this examination, just one step above the lowest rating of Poor. The Strength racked up Poor around, but the Civic, Elantra as well as Emphasis performed much better, gaining Leading Security Select Plus condition. The National Highway Website Traffic Security Administration has yet to crash-test the Corolla.

A backup electronic camera is unavailable on base L models however basic on each trim. The only car in this class with a common camera throughout the schedule is the Civic, the base cost which compares to the Corolla LE. The Corolla likewise comes criterion with a motorist's knee airbag and also both vehicle driver and passenger seat pillow airbags that blow up under the knees-- unusual features in this class. Click on this link for a complete list of safety features, as well as see how well the Corolla suits child-safety seats in our Safety seat Examine.

Value in Its Course

The 2014 Toyota Corolla begins at $17,610, making it one of the most inexpensive vehicles in its course, rating simply over the Ford Emphasis, at $17,105 (all rates include location fees). The Elantra starts simply higher, at $17,760, as well as the Civic covers the listing at $18,955.

Buyers wanting to update to an automatic will also find the Corolla affordable. The out-of-date four-speed is an additional $600, lower than the extra cost for the Civic's automated ($800), the Emphasis' distressing automated guidebook ($1,095) and also the Elantra's six-speed device ($1,000).

We called the 2013 Corolla "sub-mediocre" in a section bursting with excellent lorries, so this upgraded variation has a hell of a hillside to climb. Although the Hyundai Elantra as well as Kia Specialty are kings of the mountain in terms of worth, features and also convenience, the new Corolla makes some strides in terms of fuel performance and also interior products.

Possibilities are, however, that couple of individuals will certainly care that it still falls short. In spite of the previous Corolla's stinker standing, individuals still bought it-- lots of individuals. Toyota has actually offered more than 40 million Corollas worldwide given that it took place sale for the 1989 version year. In the U.S., the car continually covers month-to-month hot seller lists, trying to getting the leading small slot with the Honda Civic. It might not be as all-around as numerous cars and trucks in its class, yet the 2014 Corolla is most definitely a step up from the previous generation as well as will remain to attract the masses.