Buried deep into our collective unconscious car minds is the archetype for what we consider to be some car. That car, an automobile that we draw from instinct at a young age, is a sedan with four wheels and four doors, some glass, a hood, a trunk and the sun perched in the top right corner. Perhaps the driver has a left arm and a dislocated right arm because I’m not a very good artist. I can admit that.
Likely that car resembles one we see on the road all the time. And with 40 million specimens all-time and 300,000 new models rolling off lots each year, chances are good that it looks very much like a Toyota Corolla. Deep-seated memories are forged by millions of tons of steel it seems.
That makes the 11th generation 2014 Toyota Corolla all the more important. Retaining the crown of “car of record for the human species” doesn’t come haphazardly. Every inch and corner of a redesign is monumentally important like a United Nations peace treaty. I’m guessing the 2014 Corolla’s 106.3-inch wheelbase has been deliberated and debated more than some land wars in Asia.
That’s because the wheelbase and interior dimensions straddles a crucial line for Toyota between size and economy. No car has ever made more with less; the Corolla could easily become an American-sized battleship with unlimited cup holders and legroom at the expense of fuel mileage and affordability. Similarly, the Corolla could go the other way and become a Yugo clone and, well, you know how that ended up.
Redesigning the Corolla is, after all, flirting with unprecedented success. The outgoing model was long in the tooth, looking for style when competitors like the Ford Focus, Mazda 3 and Chevrolet Cruze were passing it by, literally and figuratively. Improving the Corolla was an eventuality, like time and inflation.
Starting with size, Toyota recognized Corolla buyers are people just like everyone else — with legs and everything. The stretched wheelbase, which grew by nearly 4 inches on an all-new platform, generally benefits rear passengers with more than 5 inches of newfound legroom in the back seats. The overall length increased by 2.5 inches, a trick that was done without sacrificing trunk space; the 2014 trunk grew by nearly one cubic foot to 13 cubic feet of space — or 7.5 gallons of mayo on an apocalyptic Costco run, if you prefer.
To power all that newfound humanity and mayo, Toyota offers a 1.8-liter four up front that swings the balance back from size toward economy. The small engine cranks 132 horsepower (probably not important) while returning 38 mpg on the highway (probably very important) when mated to Toyota’s continuously variable transmission. The LE Eco model, which swaps standard 16-inch wheels or optional 17-inch wheels for smaller 15-inch wheels, gets a timing trick in the camshaft that boosts horsepower to 140 hp for that model only. Expect that engine to be applied across the range in later years. Neither engine is potent enough to win any drag races, unless of course you’re up against a horse-drawn carriage. Take pictures.
To win the compact sedan race though, it’s not really about prowess under the hood, or competency on the streets. Our brief dalliance with the Corolla through the streets of San Diego and surrounding beach towns proved well enough that the new model has the DNA that defined previous generations of Corolla: namely, it blended into the background like it grew out of the ground.
To Toyota’s credit, the new Corolla looks better than the old model. Which is to say, it doesn’t look dated any longer. The sharper lines and more aggressive front fascia do a good job to update the Corolla for our times. Ascending through the range from the $16,800 base L, LE, LE Eco and S, which tops out at just over $20,000, the Corolla looks sharp throughout. Only the S is easily distinguishable from the rest of the line with a unique honeycomb grille and chrome accents on the front. For the first time, it feels like the top of the line S was the first model Toyota designed, and then engineers stripped away accents all the way down to the L. In previous years, design seemed to start at the bottom and bolt-on accessories all the way to the top. A big improvement this time around.
Inside, the Corolla makes better use of materials and space than over previous years. The front dash feels blunted and trimmed of unnecessary styling to maximize space for front passenger and driver. Standard for base models are Bluetooth connectivity and voice command and buyers looking to sink a few hundred more into entertainment are rewarded with a 6.1-inch touchscreen sporting Toyota’s new Entune system that doesn’t require a yearly subscription any more. I like the interior, and updated materials inside, short of the stamped stitching on the dash materials that feel interchangeable rather than bespoke. Call me a snob.
Speaking of which, indulge me for another few more words. If you’ve seen Toyota’s new ad campaign, which can be summarized as “Corolla through the decades,” I wonder: Is the goal to build a car that’s as disposable as a fad or timeless? Maybe I’m reading too much into a 30-second spot.
What’s undeniable though is the way the new Corolla drives. For the first time, I felt behind the wheel that the Corolla was a car that was over-engineered instead of built to be “just enough.” The chassis felt solid and responsive, even though the steering dampened the feel a bit. Cornering through San Diego, the Corolla was adept and sure in its lower stance, no doubt aided by the half inch it was dropped over the 2013 model.
There’s little doubt that the new generation of Toyota’s Corolla isn’t related to the previous generation. Despite the longer wheelbase and updated interior, the 2014 version is unmistakably Corolla. Maybe that’s what engineers were going for. After all, if you’re building a car that everyone can draw from memory, is that really a bad thing?
Aaron Cole is managing editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at acole@aurorasentinel.com
“There’s little doubt that the new generation of Toyota’s Corolla isn’t related to the previous generation.”
Which is why the company will lose many former customers for whom purchasing a Corolla was a no-brainer. Those Corolla customers likely aren’t interested in projecting an “aggressive” image on the road.
Younger people will like it, but will continue to buy Mazda3s and Kias.
I think this redesign reveals a complete misunderstanding on Toyota’s part of who Corolla buyers are. That is the most shocking thing of all.
I disagree with your assumption. Toyota hit this perfectly, delivering the essence of Corolla with subtle changes that will draw younger buyers. Not many younger buyers but some. They completely managed to continue to deliver what the Corolla customer base loves, reliability, consistency and long lasting operation. It shows that they are loyal to their customer base by understanding their customers preferences and not abandoning the cars historical basic appeal. Toyota customers recognize this loyalty and will remain loyal in return. It’s perfection for the loyal customer and I’m one of them! Simplicity at its best!