Toyota Corolla T Spirit

Some things we like, some we don't, but overall we're getting on just fine with our Corolla five-door

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By Lesley Harris

May 2002

Variety is something Toyota knows all about. In Japan it offers an amazing 56 different ranges - with cars as obscure as the Noah Voxy, Duet and the delightfully named Bb packing out the brochures. And while things aren't quite so confusing over here, Corolla buyers still have no fewer than five body options.
Because of this, we've welcomed not one but two versions on to our long term fleet in recent months. In addition to the Verso D4-D (featured in Issue 696), we're running one of the models expected to take the lion's share of sales this year - a five-door 1.6-litre T Spirit hatchback.
Having already driven the five-door extensively for a group test (Issue 684), the Corolla's easy-going nature and well laid out cabin felt pleasantly familiar when I took delivery of the car just before Christmas. My early drives also confirm-ed that the latest version is light years ahead of its predecessor in every area - except one. For some reason, the electric power-steering gives the vehicle a strangely nervous attitude at higher speeds, which makes motorway driving a little more edgy and fussy than it ought to be.
So what do other drivers reckon? A quick glance down our car's logbook reveals some criticisms. The most frequent complaint concerns the lack of lumbar support from the seats. Although they are adequate when bumbling around town, on longer journeys that absence of spinal bolstering really becomes an issue.
Another whinge concerns the steering, which only adjusts for height. Consider-ing most of its rivals have a reach adjust-able column, it seems an odd omission. A further complaint concerns the layout of the dashboard. Although usability and quality - in true Toyota style - are faultless, it seems a shame that the designers opted for such a safe solution. Given the brilliance of the Yaris's interior, many coming to the Corolla for the first time were expecting something less ordinary.
In terms of reliability, the vehicle has proved fault-free - as one would expect from a firm that has become famous for its bullet-proof motors. However, during the last few miles our Toyota's flawless record has looked in danger. What started as a rumble around the tailpipe has turn-ed into an irritating buzz that seems to be coming from the engine bay. Although it'll need looking at, a quick first diagnosis suggests that the exhaust is touching somewhere it shouldn't. I'll let you know what's wrong in the next update.