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Toyota Corolla S |   |
| A Family Car Worth Fighting Over |
By Richard J. Newman
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NITS: The radio is too hard to reach. The clutch on the manual 5-speed needed to be pressed almost flat against the floor for the car to turn over.
G-FORCES: The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine was surprisingly crisp, with few of the dead zones that are common on underpowered economy cars. Handling and cornering were also better than expected and quickly added to my confidence in the car.
GIZMOLOGY: White gauges stood out sharply against the black interior. A bit stark, though not obnoxious. The optional sunroof had an odd feature I found annoying. When you held the button to close it, the roof would only close halfway; you'd have to push again to finish the job.
KID MARKS: The back seat isn't spacious, but there was ample room for my two toddlers and their accoutrements. Pass-through handles were easy for them to operate and getting in and out was simple.
HOT OR NOT? Not. But close. Thoughtful styling will make you feel like you're in a more expensive car.
ENVIROMETER: Three/four stars out of five in its class on the EPA's "green vehicle" ratings scale. (Ratings vary depending on type of transmission.) Mileage ranges from 29 mpg city to 41 mpg highway. Additional info: http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/
E-TOYOTA-Corolla-02.htm
CRASH COURSE: Eight stars out of 10 in the government's frontal crash test; 6 out of 10 on the side crash tests (7 out of 10 with optional side air bags). Rollover rating is 4 stars out of 5. Additional info: http://www.nhtsa.gov/
NCAP/Cars/2002SubC.html
PRICE POINTS: Corolla base prices range from $13,855 to $15,965. Price as tested: $18,020. (All prices include delivery fee.)
MORE INFO: http://www.toyota.com/html/shop
/vehicles/corolla/index.html
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Model year tested: 2003
The Corolla is a durable, practical economy car, right? It's never been one of the most dazzling cars on the road, but it'll stand by you through thick and thin. If there were such a category, the Corolla would probably dominate the awards for "the car you'd most like to send your daughter to college with." The choice would assure she has reliable transportation but not the kind that generates a lot of attention.
So if it's so practical, why did I have so much fun driving the revamped Corolla S? There's no particular thing that's a standout on the car. The styling is refined but not traffic-stopping. The cabin is comfortable but not lavish. Performance is nimble but not so overpowering that grandma would be alarmed. On the road it all comes together though, in a package that maximizes every strength and suffers from few weaknesses. On one trip, I had prepared for a strictly utilitarian experience–just get there and back, with little fuss–but found myself zipping from lane to lane with genuine joie de freeway. It felt like I was driving a ... Volkswagen or something.
The Corolla enjoys a zenlike wholeness, but the secret isn't so mysterious. Simply put, the three most important contact points between me and the car–the steering wheel, the gearshift, and the pedals–felt wonderful. Steering was firm and smooth, accentuated by a thick leather wheel. The stick shift had a heaviness that I find reassuring on small cars, and it slid effortlessly from gear to gear. Braking was solid and true, and acceleration was sprightly-especially considering that the Corolla's 4-cylinder engine gets up to 40 miles per gallon.
Some economy cars lure buyers with legions of gadgets typically found on more upscale offerings–while cutting corners on the machinery. The Corolla is more honest. The cabin is pretty simple–there's a lot of blank space on the dashboard-but Toyota put effort where it matters. The cabin is very comfortable, with well-placed armrests and good seats with lumbar support. And the mechanics seem superb. If my daughter were ready to head off to college, well, I might end up keeping this car for myself.
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