| Overall Rating |
 |
| Description |
| Recommended. Toyota's attempt to blend Japanese quality with European style - generally successfully. |
| Handling |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Quality & Reliability |
 |
| Performance |
 |
| Roominess |
 |
| Running Costs |
 |
| Value for Money |
 |
| Stereo/Sat Nav |
 |
| NCAP |
| 4 |
| Best Models |
| 2.0 D4-D |
| Worst Models |
| 1.8 T Sport |
| Replacement |
| 2007 |
|
 |
| Road Test |
| This is Toyota trying to appeal to the style-conscious as well as the cost-conscious. Looks and driving characteristics are way ahead of earlier generations of Corolla and are now up to European standards. The Corolla is especially good on the motorway, where it feels as refined as much bigger cars. Not as much fun to drive as a Ford Focus, but as good as a VW Golf or Renault Megane. Toyota was the first Japanese company to get serious about diesels and the Corolla D4-D is an excellent choice. One interesting option is the satellite navigation: the first to be linked to traffic information, so it recalculates your route if there is a jam ahead. |
| Positive Points |
- Does everything well and looks good, too
- Easy to drive, easy to own, easy to resell
- Lively, efficient petrol engines
|
| Negative Points |
- Turbodiesels lag behind Peugeot or VW standards
- Focus, 307 or Astra are cheaper used choices
- Unpopular saloon will depreciate heavily
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