March 2002

A car doesn't become a world best-seller for nothing. But despite racking up 29million sales in 30 years, Toyota's Corolla has never really fired British imaginations. Glance at the outgoing model and it's easy to see why. Sure, it's perfectly good to drive and as reliable as a pair of shoes - but it's also spectacularly unexciting. Rivals are better looking and more rewarding to drive.

Toyota hopes the new Corolla will change this and claims there's a new European flavour to the four-bodystyle line-up. We got our hands on two UK cars hot off the production line - a five-door 1.6-litre and a 1.8-litre Verso mini-MPV, set to go head-to-head with hatches like the Civic and people carriers such as the Citroen Picasso. These cars will form the backbone of sales over the coming year, but further engine choices will include a 1.4-litre VVT-i and the 2.0 D-4D diesel unit from the Avensis.

Starting with the hatchback, built at Burnaston, Derbyshire, it's clear where Toyota has looked for influence. The high flanks and sculpted headlights are so similar to the Civic's that you could almost confuse the two. But that's not such a bad thing because, as with the Civic, the Corolla is very comfortable, with bags of legroom front and rear, wide, supportive seats and plenty of useful cubbyholes.

Quality of finish is also far better than the outgoing model's and leaves rivals such as the Civic and Ford Focus playing catch-up, with subtly co-ordinated plastics and nicely damped rubber switches. Only the brittle plastic indicator and wiper stalks let the side down.

On the road, the hatchback feels lively, with plenty of urge from the 110bhp 1.6-litre VVT-i. It's no quicker than its rivals, but the variable valve timing keeps the engine on the boil throughout the rev range and makes in-gear acceleration particularly eager.

However, on twisty roads it still can't match the dynamic ability of the Focus or Peugeot 307. The gears feel notchy, the brakes over-sharp and the steering lacks precision at speed. Around town, the car's excellent turning circle makes manoeuvring a doddle, but the trade-off is four turns lock-to-lock and steering that requires too much input and offers little feedback on the move. The 1.8 T Sport, driven on the facing page, promises more to tempt enthusiastic drivers.

The Verso, driven here with the 133bhp 1.8-litre engine and four-speed auto box, is the fourth MPV in Toyota's range and slots between the Yaris and Avensis models. As with the Picasso and Renault Scenic, it offers only five seats, but also boasts a sliding rear seat and flat-folding seatbacks.

The Verso is a fantastic load-lugger, even with the seats up. It shares the five-door's wheelbase and seat layout and, with nearly enough headroom to stand up, is very comfortable and airy, especially with our car's twin electric sunroofs. The Toyota's family appeal is further enhanced by built-in child booster cushions in the rear.

The facia differs slightly from the hatch's, with an unusual backlit interior panel and a large pop-up cubbyhole on top of the dash, plus a higher console-mounted gearchange. The self-shifter in the Verso works well, with a sharp kickdown and a shift hold button, which holds the revs right up to the red line for acceleration and cornering.

As with the hatch, the Verso handles safely and predictably, if lacking verve. It gets buffeted by wind on motorways, while the tall sides make body roll more pronounced in corners. Prices and final spec lists for the Corolla have yet to be confirmed, but are set to fall in line with rivals'. A four-door saloon and five-door estate will also be offered at launch.

Toyota has created a family hatchback capable of taking on the class leaders, with vast improvements in styling and interior quality. A strong range of engines and good standard equipment should help it sell, while the spacious Verso feels much bigger than similar-sized rivals from Renault and Citroen. The Ford Focus and Peugeot 307 may still be dynamically superior, but for buyers looking for a fuss-free, well made and undoubtedly reliable family runabout, the Corolla looks as if it will be an attractive package.

At a glance

* The all-new Toyota Corolla will go on sale next month

* Prices are expected to be between £10,000 and £16,000

* Offered as three and five-door hatches, saloon, estate and Verso

* Entry-level model features new 1.4-litre VVT-i powerplant

Social Bookmarks

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• Email a Friend
• Print this