Toyota Corolla 2014

Toyota Corolla 2014: If you're going shopping in the compact-car class, gas performance and also cost are most definitely amongst your leading priorities. Toyota's redesigned small sedan delivers both-- as long as you're OK with a couple of tradeoffs comfortably.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla is a huge renovation, however it rates simply midpack against various other compacts, particularly in regards to cabin noise and ride top quality.

In addition to an exterior styling transformation, the 11th-generation Corolla obtains a modified engine and an extra high end inside for 2014.

This is a huge, hectic class with plenty of solid competitors as well as a near-constant redesign routine. The Corolla's major rivals consist of the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra as well as Ford Emphasis.


Toyota Corolla 2014


Exterior & Designing

For 2014, the Corolla pulled an auto Miley Cyrus: Toyota took the sedan's exterior from Hannah Montana conservative to eye-catching starlet (unfortunately, Robin Thicke wasn't included). Its common LED-accented fronts lights, chiseled body lines and also pumped-up grille make it one of the most dramatic-looking Corolla yet. Actually, nevertheless, any update would've elevated the 2013 variation from the depths of its drabness.

Instantaneously noticeable are signs Toyota borrowed from the Avalon large sedan (the grille and fronts lights particularly look familiar), and although the words "big car" don't generally communicate exhilaration in the styling department, the effect works on the Corolla. The sedan's fresh looks can't match the aggressive, stylish position of the Kia Specialty or the sweeping sophistication of the Hyundai Elantra, yet it can get rid of "monotonous" from its listing of troubles.

Just how It Drives

Although the old Corolla's dull looks are gone, a polished exterior can't conceal an unfinished driving experience.

Initially, the hits: Toyota did a terrific work with the constantly variable transmission. It feels more natural and also polished than the systems in the Subaru Impreza as well as Nissan Sentra. I drove the Corolla LE Eco version, and power distribution from the 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder was likewise quicker than the other two. Some CVTs in the class take their time constructing power and cause their engines to whine loudly, but Toyota's is both receptive and also relatively quiet. It could obtain loud when pushed, yet it's far from the largest wrongdoer.

Other models (L, LE and S trims) use a variation of the 1.8-liter that's good for 132 hp. Standard on the base L is a six-speed manual transmission, and an old four-speed automatic is optional; the CVT is basic on all other trims.

The LE Eco design's powertrain is the most efficient. During my 200-mile trip in the city and also on the highway, the Corolla returned excellent gas mileage: 38.3 mpg, which is far better compared to the EPA's ranking of 30/42/35 mpg city/highway/combined. Base designs with the guidebook are still outstanding, with a 28/37/31 mpg score, which is midpack compared with base versions of the Civic (28/36/31 mpg), Focus (26/36/30 mpg) and Elantra (28/38/32 mpg).

Now the misses: Although good pep places it at the top in terms of power, unreasonable noise degrees drop the Corolla to the bottom of the section. Noise gathers from all over. The mirrors reason a fair bit of wind ruckus, and road noise will have you checking to see if all the home windows are shut, leaving the powertrain's unrefined note rounding off circus-like levels of loudness. This was a problem with the previous variation, as well, as well as the redesign hasn't put a dent in it.

Though on the firm side, an even bigger issue with the sedan's flight top quality is an absence of isolation. Excessive of the road enters into the cabin, so awkward degrees of resonance and harshness are constant, uninvited guests. The flight itself typically borders on anxious, with a bit way too much hop over bigger bumps. Like the Honda Civic, the suppleness is tolerable initially but ends up being greatly uncomfortable as the drive endures. The Kia Strong Suit as well as Ford Emphasis, nevertheless, ace flight high quality; both keep a comfy degree of composure over bumps.

The Corolla ratings much better in terms of handling, with natural-feeling guiding as well as confident roadholding capacities. It does not feel flashy, however the car takes edges without sloppiness.

Interior

The transformation is no less extreme inside. Toyota replaced the previous generation's drab style and products with an appealing blend of shade and texture, along with a much more horizontal control layout.

The Corolla I drove integrated a dark eco-friendly exterior with camel-colored tones inside and also was really welcoming. It's an enhancement over in 2015's budget-grade motif, yet the cabin still can not match the Elantra's mix of premium materials and advanced style. It does, nevertheless, use even more quality and style than the cabins of the squeak-and-rattle-prone Emphasis as well as conservative Strong suit.

Beauty is not skin deep in this situation. Not only does the within look great, but it also really feels good, also. The door panel armrest is cushioned sufficient, and also the seats strike a good balance: supportive without being also solid, agreeable without being as well mushy. One tiny missing out on item is a gliding sun visor, which lots of vehicles have as well as are useful daily.

At 182.6 inches long, the Corolla is one of the greatest sedans in the course after expanding a couple inches for 2014. Extra size implies included passenger room, and also legroom is generous in the front and rear seats. The backseat cushion, however, is rock-solid.

Functional design & Electronics

Lots of controls as well as screens remain in a comparable area in the new-generation Corolla, but the layout has been stretched horizontally for 2014. It resembles Toyota was going for a more structured setup. The outcome is a lot more appealing total, however the panel is still overloaded with switches. Identifying what they all do isn't really an issue, nevertheless.

The 6.1-inch touch-screen audio device is again typical on the LE trim degree as well as above however unavailable on base trims. The display dimension is suitable for menu clarity as well as switch size. The system showcases Toyota's Entune app suite, and also Bluetooth audio streaming with my Android phone was seamless. Linking to my Pandora Internet radio application was additionally easy, yet I wish to see more functionality. You can use the touch-screen to play as well as stop a song, however functions like missing a song or loading a new station typically aren't offered.

Freight & Storage space

Regardless of the gains in dimension, the Corolla's trunk is still fairly tiny, with just 13 cubic feet of space. That's up from last year's score of 12.3 and bigger than the Civic's trunk (12.5 ), but somewhat smaller than the Emphasis (13.2) and Elantra (14.8 ). Much more bothersome is the Corolla's trunk layout. Big metal hinges extend right into the luggage space; lots of automakers have actually upgraded to smaller, strut-like tools.

The rear seat folds in a 60/40 split for extra freight space-- a valuable attribute that isn't conventional on the Civic or Focus.

In advance, there's a phone-sized cubby conveniently located before supporting input and also USB ports, as well as a small-ish facility console; the Civic's is much larger and includes a comfy gliding armrest. For the rear seat, there are two flimsy pop-out cupholders (they would not last a week with my family) as well as one bottleholder in each door.

Safety

The 2014 Toyota Corolla is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Select, gaining Great scores in all areas of screening except the tough brand-new small-overlap frontal accident test. The Corolla scored Marginal in this examination, only one action over the lowest score of Poor. The Strength racked up Poor in this field, yet the Civic, Elantra and Focus executed better, earning Leading Safety and security Pick Plus status. The National Highway Website Traffic Security Administration has yet to crash-test the Corolla.

A backup cam is unavailable on base L models yet typical on each trim. The only auto in this course with a typical camera throughout the lineup is the Civic, the base price which compares with the Corolla LE. The Corolla additionally comes criterion with a chauffeur's knee air bag as well as both chauffeur and passenger seat padding airbags that pump up under the knees-- uncommon attributes in this course. Click on this link for a full list of safety features, and also see how well the Corolla accommodates child-safety seats in our Safety seat Inspect.

Value in Its Course

The 2014 Toyota Corolla starts at $17,610, making it one of one of the most budget friendly vehicles in its course, placing simply above the Ford Emphasis, at $17,105 (all rates include location costs). The Elantra starts simply greater, at $17,760, and the Civic tops the checklist at $18,955.

Consumers aiming to upgrade to an automatic will also locate the Corolla budget friendly. The outdated four-speed is an extra $600, less than the additional cost for the Civic's automated ($800), the Focus' dreadful automated manual ($1,095) as well as the Elantra's six-speed device ($1,000).

We called the 2013 Corolla "sub-mediocre" in a segment breaking with outstanding vehicles, so this upgraded version has a hell of a hill to climb up. Although the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Specialty are kings of the mountain in regards to worth, features and comfort, the brand-new Corolla makes some strides in terms of fuel efficiency as well as indoor materials.

Opportunities are, however, that few people will care that it still falls short. Despite the previous Corolla's stinker standing, individuals still bought it-- loads of individuals. Toyota has actually sold more than 40 million Corollas worldwide because it went on sale for the 1989 model year. In the United States, the car continually tops monthly hot seller listings, trying to getting the leading small port with the Honda Civic. It could not be as well-shaped as several cars in its course, however the 2014 Corolla is absolutely a step up from the previous generation as well as will continue to draw in the masses.