Toyota Corolla
You don't get to the top by standing still. So fittingly, the world's most profitable motor manufacturer has facelifted the world's best-selling car only two years after its launch. But you'll have to be a world-class super-sleuth to spot the changes!
The new D-4D engine is a worthy addition to the Corolla range, and is much stronger than you would expect, while also proving extremely efficient. Elsewhere in the line-up, it's only a minor refresh for the world's best-selling car. And that's not quite enough to put it ahead of the competition.
You don't get to the top by standing still. So fittingly, the world's most profitable motor manufacturer has facelifted the world's best-selling car only two years after its launch. But you'll have to be a world-class super-sleuth to spot the changes!
The revised Toyota Corolla has Yaris-look headlamps, jewel-like tail-lights, an Avensis-style bonnet and subtly altered bumpers. Yet you need to park a 2002 model alongside it to appreciate the differences. Only the UK-built hatch gets the new nose; the Turkish-made saloon and estate have fewer updates.
Trim levels remain the same, but in its quest to lure younger buyers, Toyota has upgraded T3 spec. It's now sportier, with side skirts, alloys and jazzy blue and black seats. It looks 'warm hatch', and is set to be the range's best seller.
As with all Corollas, this car now has a steering column adjustable for reach as well as rake - but other than standard side airbags, air-con, Lexus-style 'Optitron' backlit dials and optional colour sat-nav, the well built but plasticky interior is much the same: comfortable and easy to use, if rather dark. There's plenty of space, but the narrow lower door openings make access awkward.
The Corolla has an all-new engine, though: the 89bhp 1.4-litre D-4D. Essentially a Yaris unit with a variable nozzle turbo and other refinements, it replaces the 89bhp 2.0-litre. As with the existing 116bhp 2.0 diesel, it's Euro IV-compliant and has a low CO2 figure of 127g/km.
Even from cold, the unit impresses with its refinement and lack of clatter. It revs smoothly and unobtrusively, and only becomes noisy as the 3,800rpm peak is reached. Power delivery is progressive, too, with little low-rev lethargy and smooth thrust as speeds rise.
It also punches well above its weight, feeling larger than its capacity suggests. Acceleration may be down on the 2.0-litre (0-62mph in 13.3 seconds against 12.6 seconds), but this is rarely an issue, and economy is 15 per cent better, at 57.6mpg. It's even more frugal with the MMT semi-auto box, a first in this class.
As before, the ride is smooth, while the lighter engine means sweeter handling. But the Corolla still doesn't excite like a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra.
