2014 Toyota Corolla : Sportier? More Exciting? Less Awkward?
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If you want to make Toyota reps happy, talk to them about the Corolla. Their eyes will light up, their body language will be more dynamic and they’re sure to bring up the fact that the Corolla is the most-sold vehicle in history, with more than 40 million units on the road. Naturally, they’ll also mention that the Corolla is the most popular of all Toyotas in Canada, and that it has been built in our country for 25 years. Essentially, there’s only good things to say on this subject.
And yet . . . Despite the sales rep’s unbridled enthusiasm, this compact sedan is currently under attack from all directions from some very sophisticated competitors – so much so that its domination is threatened. In response, Toyota needed to pump up the offer and go beyond the well-behaved sedan known primarily for its reliability and longevity.
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The manufacturer came out with a clear message last January when the Furia, the concept car behind the next Corolla, was released. This flashy yellow vehicle was enhanced with black accents, including the front grille. A lot of people were impressed by it, but they wondered whether this bold vehicle could actually replace the current Corolla. The answer came on June 7, when the 2014 Corolla was unveiled at the Canadian Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa.
Longer, wider, lighter
Despite the buzz around this newcomer, there’s no denying that this vehicle shows restraint in terms of design. Sure, it includes a number of features seen on the Furia, but the Corolla remains much more conservative. Toyota’s design philosophy for future models is called “Iconic Dynamism,” which means that they are committed to creating vehicle bodies that are more daring than in the past.
It may not have undergone a total metamorphosis, but the new Corolla does have a more dynamic front end with a trapezoid front air intake that is reminiscent of the hourglass-shaped front grille seen on some of the brand’s other models. The front grille on this car is of the narrow, honeycomb variety. At either end are LED lights, as in the Furia, but with a little more of a reserved style. The side panels have been revamped with stretched sheet metal for a more dynamic silhouette. The rear treatment is where you see the closest resemblance to the concept car, with horizontal lights split into two sections, one of which bleeds onto the fenders, while the other integrated into the trunk hood.
The 11th generation of the Corolla is decidedly more youthful on the outside – but the more spectacular changes are inside the cabin. The interior has been totally transformed, and the new dashboard is a complete departure from the previous one. The vertical console has been replaced by an information centre with a big display screen in the middle. The climate control gauges are on the lower portion, while the top of the dash includes a digital clock flanked by air vents. The generic steering wheel used until now has been replaced by a much nicer model that includes controls on each of the horizontal spokes. The S model garnered the most attention at the launch, and I found the front seats to be comfortable, with excellent lateral support, while the rear bench offered a good amount of head and leg room.
The fact that there is so much space inside this compact car can be explained, in large part, by the vehicle’s increased length and width. Both the length and wheelbase have grown by 100 mm, while the vehicle’s height was cut by 6 mm and its overall width has gained 16 mm.
Well-known engine, new transmission
Before this vehicle officially launched, the rumor mill was already buzzing with talk that the 2014 Corolla would feature a 2.4-litre engine. That’s enough to prove that we didn’t know the brand’s engineers well enough, as they chose to stick with their tried-and-true 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, whose reliability and robustness are legendary. This year, there are two versions of this trusty mill. It produces 132 horsepower on the CE, LE and S models. Meanwhile, in the newcomer to the family, the ECO, the 1.8-litre engine produces 140 horsepower, thanks to the VALVEMATIC system, which offers continuous valve lift control and improved fuel consumption.
The most affordable Corolla is the CE. This base trim comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but you can also order it with a four-speed automatic! You’ve got to admit that this is not really with the times in 2014. Maybe Toyota had its reasons for making this decision – who knows? But most buyers looking for an automatic will probably opt for the Toyota’s continuously variable system, which they call CVTi-S (the “i” stands for “intelligent” while the “S” refers to the changing of speeds). This is the first time that Toyota has offered a pulley-based transmission on our continent. It simulates the traditional seven speeds, and can be guided via a gear shifter or wheel-mounted paddles. When it comes to automatic transmissions, we’ve gone from one extreme to the other! Overall, the new Corolla has taken a big step forward in terms of style as well as mechanics.
Toyota has worked hard to fend off attacks from its main rivals, which include the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and the ever-present Honda Civic. How will the vehicle’s traditional buyers respond? Will it attract new drivers? We’ll know in September, when the 2014 Corolla enters showrooms.
