Motor Trend on the '14 Corolla S-not a good review
09-05-13, 10:19 AM
#18
I see the point of, "hey, it's a Corolla, people don't want to go fast" but for me, it becomes more about the other cars in this segment doing all of the same stuff as the Corolla - reliable, comfortable, decent interior, 40+ MPG, tech packages - and more, for the same amount of money. In my eyes, that car is the Mazda 3.
Is the Corolla a bad car? Nope, but it is very far from being the best car in the segment, because cars like the 3 do everything the Corolla can do plus so much more, for the same amount of money.
Toyota's approach here was similar to the Camry: Do what we need to do to maintain the top sales spot. NOT "do what we can to innovate and lead the segment," which I find to be a bit sad.
Is the Corolla a bad car? Nope, but it is very far from being the best car in the segment, because cars like the 3 do everything the Corolla can do plus so much more, for the same amount of money.
Toyota's approach here was similar to the Camry: Do what we need to do to maintain the top sales spot. NOT "do what we can to innovate and lead the segment," which I find to be a bit sad.
VS
"The rest of the world isn't like us. They don't have an obsession with cars or driving. If they did, the Mazda3 would be the best selling car in its class by the widest margin possible. Most people just want to get from Point A to Point B, and occasionally on the weekends Point C."
09-05-13, 10:39 AM
#19
Pole Position
I see the point of, "hey, it's a Corolla, people don't want to go fast" but for me, it becomes more about the other cars in this segment doing all of the same stuff as the Corolla - reliable, comfortable, decent interior, 40+ MPG, tech packages - and more, for the same amount of money. In my eyes, that car is the Mazda 3.
Is the Corolla a bad car? Nope, but it is very far from being the best car in the segment, because cars like the 3 do everything the Corolla can do plus so much more, for the same amount of money.
Toyota's approach here was similar to the Camry: Do what we need to do to maintain the top sales spot. NOT "do what we can to innovate and lead the segment," which I find to be a bit sad.
Is the Corolla a bad car? Nope, but it is very far from being the best car in the segment, because cars like the 3 do everything the Corolla can do plus so much more, for the same amount of money.
Toyota's approach here was similar to the Camry: Do what we need to do to maintain the top sales spot. NOT "do what we can to innovate and lead the segment," which I find to be a bit sad.
I'd rather Toyota stick to their winning formula for sales for their mid-level cars, because then it allows them to be more elaborate and risky with their higher line cars. I'll take it.
We all love the Mazdas because of how they drive and look, most others buying cars in these price ranges care about other things. And I am glad Toyota knows this.
Last edited by KevinGS; 09-05-13 at 11:28 AM.
09-05-13, 10:57 AM
#20
Not me. I am happy that Toyota has and holds true to a formula that sells a boatload of Camrys and Corrolas. With all of the profit from these sales, they can make their upscale cars that much better (like the Avalon and the full line of Lexuses).
I'd rather Toyota stick to their winning formula for sales for their mid-level cars, because then it allows them to be more elaborate and risky with their higher line cars. I'll take it.
We all love the Mazdas because of how they drive and look, most others buying cars in these price ranges care about other things. And I am glad Toyota knows this.
I'd rather Toyota stick to their winning formula for sales for their mid-level cars, because then it allows them to be more elaborate and risky with their higher line cars. I'll take it.
We all love the Mazdas because of how they drive and look, most others buying cars in these price ranges care about other things. And I am glad Toyota knows this.
I get what you are saying....But i think its sad that Its one selling point (and only because of its badge) is the reputation for brutal, ruthless reliability.
09-05-13, 11:09 AM
#21
I see the point of, "hey, it's a Corolla, people don't want to go fast" but for me, it becomes more about the other cars in this segment doing all of the same stuff as the Corolla - reliable, comfortable, decent interior, 40+ MPG, tech packages - and more, for the same amount of money. In my eyes, that car is the Mazda 3.
Is the Corolla a bad car? Nope, but it is very far from being the best car in the segment, because cars like the 3 do everything the Corolla can do plus so much more, for the same amount of money.
Toyota's approach here was similar to the Camry: Do what we need to do to maintain the top sales spot. NOT "do what we can to innovate and lead the segment," which I find to be a bit sad.
Is the Corolla a bad car? Nope, but it is very far from being the best car in the segment, because cars like the 3 do everything the Corolla can do plus so much more, for the same amount of money.
Toyota's approach here was similar to the Camry: Do what we need to do to maintain the top sales spot. NOT "do what we can to innovate and lead the segment," which I find to be a bit sad.
I dont see how others do "so much more" than Corolla... they dont. Does anyone get 42 MPG with Automatic? Does anyone get standard LED headlights? Does anyone have more space at the back? does....
Nope.
09-05-13, 11:13 AM
#22
Engine is ZR series, introduced in NA in 2009, with new Valvematic tech in Eco model. Same goes for platform - wheelbase has been extended to match one of the Prius. Brand new CVT and EPS.
09-05-13, 11:23 AM
#23
Correct, introduced to NA in 2009, same generation of corolla sold around the world since 06 (japan) with the 2ZR engine.
Platform is the MC platform (came out in 2006 with the rav4) , which correct, is shared with the Prius, matrix, etc.
I will say the CVT is supposed to be one of the nicer CVTs.
@SPwolf, Mazda3 gets 40mpg with the AT, and HID headlights in certain trim.
I haven't found any numbers on cargo room alone for the 2014 corolla.
09-05-13, 11:29 AM
#24
This Corolla seems to be a "good enough" effort aimed at holding sales. It doesn't seem like anyone really disagrees with that notion either. I quite frankly don't care much about individual press reviews, but the general consensus is worth considering. If you look at the specs, design, features and performance of the Corolla, it falls to to midpack at best. Mazda continues to innovate here, Chevy is gobbling up sales in the segment, a new Focus is around the corner and we'll see a new Elantra sometime in the next few years. It's fiercely competitive, and Toyota basically said, "Hmm...ok, let's just do our thing and see where it gets us."
09-05-13, 12:12 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Blueprint
Corolla is best selling car ever made.
09-05-13, 01:10 PM
#27
I think a buyer in this segment is more concerned with fuel economy, reliability, and practicality. Cost of ownership is a huge factor for these types of cars, not performance.
Never understood why most magazines and TV shows like Motorweek test every car as if they are testing a Porsche 911 with them taking minivans and Buicks to run slaloms and on the drag strip.
Never understood why most magazines and TV shows like Motorweek test every car as if they are testing a Porsche 911 with them taking minivans and Buicks to run slaloms and on the drag strip.
09-05-13, 01:56 PM
#28
...........
Listen the Corolla has NEVER been the leader on the areas mentioned by MT.
It will continue to sell well as it has been. I don't think Toyota has anything to be worried about, again it will sell very very well.
4-5 years from now we will see who holds its value better and where the "better ones" on this segment will be.
It will continue to sell well as it has been. I don't think Toyota has anything to be worried about, again it will sell very very well.
4-5 years from now we will see who holds its value better and where the "better ones" on this segment will be.
09-05-13, 03:11 PM
#29
The Rav4 was a significant departure from the last generation and in my opinion, Toyota played to win in the entry level CUV segment. They delivered a vehicle that has been pretty highly regarded by the press, is smashing sales targets (they STILL can't get enough inventory at dealerships) and offers a number of features that are best or tied-for-best in segment. They went after the Escape and CR-V with a mission, and IMO, accomplished it.
This Corolla seems to be a "good enough" effort aimed at holding sales. It doesn't seem like anyone really disagrees with that notion either. I quite frankly don't care much about individual press reviews, but the general consensus is worth considering. If you look at the specs, design, features and performance of the Corolla, it falls to to midpack at best. Mazda continues to innovate here, Chevy is gobbling up sales in the segment, a new Focus is around the corner and we'll see a new Elantra sometime in the next few years. It's fiercely competitive, and Toyota basically said, "Hmm...ok, let's just do our thing and see where it gets us."
This Corolla seems to be a "good enough" effort aimed at holding sales. It doesn't seem like anyone really disagrees with that notion either. I quite frankly don't care much about individual press reviews, but the general consensus is worth considering. If you look at the specs, design, features and performance of the Corolla, it falls to to midpack at best. Mazda continues to innovate here, Chevy is gobbling up sales in the segment, a new Focus is around the corner and we'll see a new Elantra sometime in the next few years. It's fiercely competitive, and Toyota basically said, "Hmm...ok, let's just do our thing and see where it gets us."
What exactly do these cars have better than Corolla? Corolla is an leader in quite few areas.... Rav4 is NOT an leader in ANY area... it is sum of all parts.
For you to automatically dismiss Corolla it is kind of strange.
09-05-13, 03:13 PM
#30
Correct, introduced to NA in 2009, same generation of corolla sold around the world since 06 (japan) with the 2ZR engine.
Platform is the MC platform (came out in 2006 with the rav4) , which correct, is shared with the Prius, matrix, etc.
I will say the CVT is supposed to be one of the nicer CVTs.
@SPwolf, Mazda3 gets 40mpg with the AT, and HID headlights in certain trim.
I haven't found any numbers on cargo room alone for the 2014 corolla.
Platform is the MC platform (came out in 2006 with the rav4) , which correct, is shared with the Prius, matrix, etc.
I will say the CVT is supposed to be one of the nicer CVTs.
@SPwolf, Mazda3 gets 40mpg with the AT, and HID headlights in certain trim.
I haven't found any numbers on cargo room alone for the 2014 corolla.
Mazda wins? lol.