A lot rides on this compact car’s success
Badge says Toyota, but it could have been a Lexus
The all-new-for-2014 Toyota Corolla is the 11th generation of the world’s bestselling nameplate. Introduced in 1966, the Corolla reached a mindboggling 40 million units sold worldwide by mid-2013. In Canada, compact sedans are the biggest sellers, so the Corolla is the bread and butter of Toyota dealerships. That means Toyota’s got a lot riding on this new model’s success.
There’s a long list of changes for 2014 — wheelbase and overall length are increased, styling is new, and the body is aerodynamically slipperier (the coefficient of drag is reported to be 0.28 — the same as the new Porsche 911 Carrera), and a CVT is available for the first time to help squeeze out that extra little bit of fuel economy. (Just say no to the archaic four-speed automatic that can still be had in the CE base model.)
Visually, the most striking feature of the 2014 Corolla is its face, with a surprisingly aggressive, gaping maw dominating the front. There’s a resemblance to the spindle grille of the upscale Lexus side of the corporate family, and that’s a good thing. A pair of round fog lights (standard on our S tester) are housed in wedgeshaped recesses sculpted in the style of air dams on race cars.
The side profile remains typical Corolla — plain, with only a bulging front fender and signal lights integrated into the side mirrors to offer visual interest. The side view will offend nobody. A small spoiler on the trunk is a reminder that the “S” is the sporty Corolla.
Viewed from the front, the style is courageously bold for the conservative company that Toyota is. The new Corolla looks fresh and attractive, but pales when compared to the swoopy, drop-dead-gorgeous, new 2014 Mazda3.
Our test unit was a very nicely equipped Corolla S with the optional CVT and $2,350 premium package, with an MSRP of $22,250.
The premium package includes (among other things) power moon roof, 17-inch alloy wheels, and SofTex, a lush, synthetic material that’s virtually indistinguishable from leather, and contributes immeasurably to the Corolla’s outstanding cabin.
Without the benefit of having tested the all-new Mazda3, the 2014 Corolla S has the absolute best interior in class. It has the look and feel of luxury that could easily have come from a Lexus.
That incredible Lexus feeling of quality doesn’t stop in the cabin. Driving the Corolla S feels like you’re driving a small luxury car.
Already renowned for building top-drawer cars in quality and reliability, the new 2014 Corolla S is a giant leap forward in the compact class. The 2014 Corolla S now tops the compact class as a luxury car. Swap out the badges and this Corolla could easily be sold as a Lexus. It’s really that good, and that makes it one of my favourite cars tested this year. Highly recommended.