The 2013 Toyota Corolla doesn't stray much from a familiar formula: Create a relatively roomy small sedan; add features sparingly; keep the price down; and engineer it with low running costs in mind every step of the way. That's what Toyota has kept a laser-like focus on with its Corolla over the years. Meanwhile, the market has changed, and while the Corolla should remain one of your top picks if frugality is one of your top priorities, there are a number of new entries--like the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra, as well as a more affordable Volkswagen Jetta--that have more advanced technology, flair, excitement, or refinement.
The Corolla has, from a styling standpoint, one of the blandest, most innocuous compact-sedan designs on the market. And even with last-minute substitution of a new grille design for 2013 (the Corolla is going to be all-new next year), there's very little visual excitement outside or in.
It's decent-looking, but it lacks the sporty and modern panache of many of its rivals. Inside, too, the focus here isn't excitement; rather freeing up space and keeping the interface straightforward.
People who choose to drive out of necessity and practicality are going to find everything they need from the Corolla's performance, but those who like to drive may find the experience too appliance-like. The Corolla's 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine feels a bit short on power on the highway--particularly with the four-speed automatic, which has widely spaced gears and hesitant responses that can together add drama to highway passes. In general, the Corolla is softly sprung and lacking a handling and ride sophistication that many rivals now have. The electric power steering is dull and overly light, and that combined with the suspension makes the Corolla feel out of sorts on a curvy road.
Functionally, the Corolla hits all the marks--especially with respect to seating space and comfort. Front seats are a bit short and spongy and that's the only caution (really for taller drivers, who might not find them as supportive), but otherwise there's plenty of headroom and legroom as well as decent space for average-size adults in the back seat. Ride comfort is good in most cases, and the Corolla's cabin is well-isolated from road and wind noise; it's really up to par with mid-size cars in this respect. The only blemishes we see are the lack of detailing, the subpar look and feel of some of the materials, and a little more engine noise than is typical.
Some important new tech features have been added to the 2013 Corolla; a new 6.1-inch touch-screen audio system with Bluetooth hands-free calling, Bluetooth audio streaming, and USB connectivity are included in all but the base Corolla L. Across the lineup, there are three trim levels: base L, mid-range LE, and the somewhat sportier-looking S. Corolla LE and S models get improved audio systems, cruise control, steering-wheel audio controls, variable intermittent wipers, and heated mirrors. And S doesn't offer performance that's much sportier, it gets stitched seat accents on sport seats, fog lamps, alloy wheels, a spoiler, additional body cladding, and a sport gauge cluster.
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