Longevity has its privileges.
Corolla took its first baby steps back in 1966, in its home market of Japan, arriving on U.S. roads two years later. From humble beginnings, Corolla grew and blossomed into the all-time best-selling car worldwide, topping 40 million units thus far.
In the 2014 model year, Toyota's compact sedan debuted its distinguished eleventh generation. The automotive landscape has evolved substantially since the mid 1960's, but Corolla's continued success follows a basic formula; good fuel economy wrapped in a compact frame with a trouble-free pedigree.
The front-wheel-drive Corolla, as with many compact sedans sold in the U.S. during the past decade, has grown several inches in size, resulting in improved interior creature comforts. No all-wheel option is available.
Adding a bit of glitz in 2016: a limited number of 'Special Edition' Corollas (8,000) featuring black seats and interior with contrasting red stitching and 17-inch alloy wheels with gloss black finishing. Debuting at the 2015 Chicago Auto, pricing checks in at $20,635. Aside from this special edition, 2016 Corolla's are largely a carryover from 2015 save for tweaks to the 'Entune' audio system.
From the 2003 to 2013 model years, Corolla offered a five-door wagon version sold as the Corolla Matrix. The versatile Matrix never reached its full sales potential and was quietly dropped before the 2014 model year redo. South Korean automaker Hyundai followed a similar script with its compact Elantra, retiring a "Touring" wagon body style after the 2012 model year, but continuing the high-volume sedan.
In the 2014 model year, Corolla ranked as the third best-selling car in the U.S. behind only its big brother, the mid-size Camry and Honda's Accord.
Despite expanding girth, Corolla remains the smallest sedan in Toyota's lineup. The subcompact Yaris styles with either a three-door or five-door hatchback body, but no four-door sedan.
Several assembly plants worldwide construct Corolla. Most sold in the U.S. churn out from Toyota's Blue Springs Mississippi plant, about an hour's drive from Memphis, Tennessee. Opening in 2011, Toyota's newest assembly plant on U.S. soil, notably built its 500,000 Corolla this year. In the 2014 calendar year alone, 180,000 Corollas rolled off this line with some earmarked for export to Central and South America.
Through November of this year, Corolla sales are up seven percent from the same 11-month period in 2014.
Four primary Corolla trim levels include L, LE, S and mileage-extending LE Eco with push-button 'Eco' mode tickling 40 miles-per-gallon highway. Secondary sub trims, 'Premium' and 'Plus,' combine with all primary trims sans base L. A standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 132 horsepower, motivates all four trims, requiring regular, 87-octane fuel. While Toyota offers a wide-array of gas-electric hybrid powertrains, Corolla remains a gas-exclusive choice.
Toyota supplied the most opulent version available for a week's test drive, an S trim with Premium sub grade starting at $23,055. No options were necessary in this well-stocked tester with a bottom line of $23,890 after factoring an $835 destination charge. The lowest-priced Corolla L checks in at $17,230.
Premium sub grades include headed front seats, 'Softex-trimmed' eight-way power driver's seat and power moon roof with sliding sunshade.
Base L trims come with either a six-speed manual transmission or a rather dated four-speed automatic. The top S trim also offers a six-speed manual. An up-fashioned continuously variable transmission (CVT), which from a driving perspective shifts automatically with no foot clutch, is the primary choice in LE and S trims.
A CVT transmission, historically delivering improved fuel economy numbers, replaces five or six traditional shift points with an infinite number of gear ratios through belt-driven mechanics. Corolla's latest design, however, simulates seven steps or ratios, mimicking a traditional automatic. While advanced, this CVT continues prioritizing fuel economy over performance; expect moderate, adequate but not thrill-seeking acceleration.
Corolla's easily interpreted interior layout includes an instrument panel featuring two circular analog gauges (illuminating in blue hue at sundown) and central message center. This digital, rectangular window includes mostly static rows of informative data. Only the center portion is scrollable from a steering wheel button mounted at 3 o'clock. Secondary audio buttons (volume and station preset controls) reside at 9 o'clock on the manually tilt-and-telescoping steering column/wheel. Like most Toyota and Lexus products, cruise control activates via a square, 5 o'clock appendage jetting out from the wheel.
Push-button start comes standard in all S variants and LE Premium grades. Up above is the triangular, red 'hazard' button for distress situations, but its proximity to the windshield wiper stalk resulted in inadvertent activation a couple times during testing. Both the fuel door and trunk release pull levers are floor-bound, left of the driver's seat. Dual cup holders reside behind the transmission shifter, right of the hand-operated parking brake.
Below the standard 6.1-inch touch-sensitive multi-function screen resides the ventilation system's single zone, narrow, rectangular layout with digital temperature readouts also utilizing cool blue lettering and icons. Toggle-style push tabs operate fan direction and speed while a large twist dial monitors temperature. Below, standard auxiliary jack, USB port and 12-volt power outlet are ready to assist portable electronics, storable in a recess region below. Bluetooth connectivity with these portable life bloods come standard across the board.
Surprisingly supportive yet comfy front bucket seats (the Softex materials, part of our S Premium combination contributing nicely) mimic the comfort level of vehicles with significantly higher price points. Front headroom remains generous while row two is tolerable for those six-feet two inches and shorter. For leisurely jaunts, three riders may occupy row two otherwise, a duo enjoys optimal comfort. Considering the 'compact' label, legs have adequate row-two room. Second row seatbacks in all trims fold down 60/40 once a pull tab on the seat cushion's top side gets yanked upward.
A goodly eight air bags come standard including a passenger's seat cushion variant introduced in the 2014 model year redesign. At 13.0 cubic feet, the cargo area measures in above average for the segment, but interior-mounted goose-neck-style hinges could impede large box transport.
While Corolla's reputation for reliability is well engrained, so too is a rather, let's say, uninspired exterior design; but the silhouette takes on a distinctly modern, main stream approach with Gen 11. With forty million sold, Corolla smartly resisted any temptation for radical updates. Previous Corolla owners should be content and satisfied with this refresh.
A creased side character line extends from above the circular front fender eventually meeting up with the tip of the wrap-around tail light. Narrow and long best describes the front grille layout, merging with narrow headlight housing at each end. Toyota's circular logo remains front and center of a rounded front nose. What's enlarged is the lower front air dam design. The large, square rear window contrasts with the small deck lid.
2016 Toyota Corolla
Price as tested: $23,890
Engine: 1.8-liter four cylinder
Horsepower: 132
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Overall width: 69.9 inches
Overall height: 57.3inches
Overall length: 182.6 inches
Curb weight: 2,865 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Fuel economy: 29 mpg city, 37 mpg highway
Assembly: Blue Springs, Mississippi