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Toyota did build a XRS with a 180hp or so I-4 and sport suspension etc but no one bought it. Corolla is simply older than the competition but still competitive.
Vanilla sells and there are more Corollas on the rd than any other car. It does what it does better than anything in this segment. If people want to hate, hate.
Toyota did build a XRS with a 180hp or so I-4 and sport suspension etc but no one bought it. Corolla is simply older than the competition but still competitive.
Vanilla sells and there are more Corollas on the rd than any other car. It does what it does better than anything in this segment. If people want to hate, hate.
I seem to remember acceleration test numbers didn't really match the engine HP. I'll see if I can find the article.
I test drove a 2011 Corolla. The off the line acceleration with an automatic was very sluggish. It seemed to have a dead spot right between 15 and 20 mph which was very disconcerting. In contrast I found the 2011 Elantra which I ended up purchasing to have a seemless acceleration with the 6 speed automatic. The Elantra is not a powerhouse but it is definitely more than adequate and gets very good gas mileage. I am now averaging about 33 mpg with mostly secondary road driving.
The Corolla is the best car on the road. It is bulletproof and very economical to buy, drive and own. I wouldn't change a thing.
Best is subjective ... and when your competition has surpassed you, it's time for change.
- 4-speed auto ... when practically everyone else has moved to 5 and 6-speed.
- EPA 26/34 ... what's wrong is that there are non-hybrid full-size cars that get better highway mileage than that.
- Trim quality ... the current generation is worse than the previous one.
Manufacturers are topping one another, year after year, so change has to happen. Otherwise, you get left behind.
Toyota did build a XRS with a 180hp or so I-4 and sport suspension etc but no one bought it. Corolla is simply older than the competition but still competitive.
Vanilla sells and there are more Corollas on the rd than any other car. It does what it does better than anything in this segment. If people want to hate, hate.
Considering the performance numbers of that engine, Toyota would have been better off dropping the bolt on plastic pieces trying to look fast and reserved that engine and suspension as an option for the XLE model making it more upscale with the better torque response.
2011 Toyota Corolla LE First Test - Motor Trend - Mobile (http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1105_2011_toyota_corolla_le_test/index.html - broken link)
Based on the above, what are your opinions on what the next Corolla should do for improvement?
I think they first need to catch up on fuel economy. Drop in some extra gears in the transmission would be a good place to start. It's not a performance car and it's reputation as dull is practically set in stone. How many here remember a performance version Corolla that actually had some performance for it's time? Volume is their bread and butter so they should not bother with trying to make it a performance sedan. But common, their competition has both better fuel economy AND better acceleration numbers. Toyota needs to step up cause they're getting left behind.
I agree... they are behind on fuel economy compared to competitors... they obviously need a new engine. The interior materials, I think Toyota has declined in quality with could be improved, but its well put together. I was in a 2011 Corolla the other day and while I found the interior materials to seem cheap, it was nicely put together and aside from the Camry having a padded dash top, the rest of the Corollas interior seemed better than the Camry, which had a hard plastic and flimsey feeling console.
Now that the Civic offered navigation on the EX models, this is something that Toyota needs to consider in the Corolla. Also consider putting in a driver message center for fuel economy, etc. The top of the line Corolla dont seem so top of the line anymore. The early 2000s Corolla LE's seemed luxurious... not so on the new Corolla LE models. I would say add a more upscale "XLE" trim model. Make the LE a mid-line model. There was a short period where they made a Corolla XLE.
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