Better compact sedans have been available for many years than the Toyota Corolla, and this is more true today than it has ever been in the lengthy history of the vehicle.
Thankfully, the 2014 Toyota Corolla will shortly replace the 2013 model and put this subpar vehicle to rest.
When I last examined the Corolla in 2010 (read the review), I described it as, to coin a phrase, a minimally sophisticated and unstylish sedan. The 2009 makeover of the model made it all the more repulsive. I rarely refer to my past forecasts (perhaps because my track record is inconsistent), but I also stated in 2010 that “The Corolla will undoubtedly continue to rank among the best-selling vehicles, although this is more a reflection of the past than the present of the vehicle. achieved this time. Despite being below average in a number of areas, the Corolla has continued to be one of the best-selling compact cars in the US and elsewhere.
Has anything altered over the recent years? The Corolla itself hasn’t altered much, nor has its position in the market. For 2013, the grille has been updated, touch-screen audio systems are now standard on LE and S trims, and the LE’s belt line and grille have chrome highlights. (See a side-by-side comparison of the model years.)
The remainder of the class, meanwhile, has raced ahead. The Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and Nissan Sentra have all had redesigns since then. Honda Civic, the Corolla’s main competition, has undergone two redesigns (see the 2013 review). With the Dart, Dodge has re-entered this market for the first time since 2005. (See a comparison of the main rivals.) Fortunately for consumers, Toyota will begin selling the 2014 Corolla by the end of 2013 after redesigning it (see the early information).
When a car is still fairly good, it may undergo a redesign; this happened to the Mazda3 and Civic of the previous generation. On the contrary, the 2013 Corolla.
Today’s subpar vehicles aren’t as uncompetitive as they formerly were because they often get the job done without being particularly cheap or unstable. Contrarily, the Corolla’s enduring triumph is not its eye-catching trim elements, but rather its top-rated durability. The only other comparable compact sedan is the Subaru Impreza.
But there are distinctions between standout and straggler models in this automotive class, both quantitatively and aesthetically. You could walk into the store right away and buy a 2013 Corolla if you haven’t looked at compact vehicles in five to ten years and be quite satisfied with it. However, doing so would be an even worse mistake than it was three years ago. The theme for the 2013 Corolla is “good enough.
The Interior The Corolla sedan has a smaller cabin space (92 cubic feet) than the Civic and Chevrolet Cruze, both of which have 95 cubic feet, and the Elantra, which has 96 cubic feet. Although the Corolla’s front seat headroom and legroom are a little below average, it is still spacious enough for an adult who is 6 feet tall. For more effective thigh support, the bottom cushion could be longer.
The narrative of the backseat is peculiar. Its legroom rating of 36.3 inches puts it 0.1 inch in front of the Civic, a little over an inch ahead of the Cruze, and more than 3 inches ahead of the Elantra. However, these details don’t always convey the whole story, and I thought the Civic’s backseat legroom was more restricted than the Toyota Corolla’s. My knees were deeply embedded in the backrest of the Corolla’s driver’s seat. However, I must admit that it wasn’t as unpleasant as it seemed. The seatback is quite plush. There are more places for passengers to lay their feet and, as a result, position their legs because the floor is practically flat, comparable to the Civic’s.
Greater cosmetic flaws can be found within the Corolla. The gauges are straightforward and easy to see, but they are also outdatedmore upscale, lit instrument panels have entered this car class. The ceiling liner, which is made of a simple, felt-like material, follows a similar pattern. Some rivals have switched to more premium woven fabric. The climate controls and the vinyl sun visors have a shoddy feel to them. Although the controls are highly obvious and simple to operate, turning the leftmost knob causes mechanical louvers inside the dashboard to move and be heard. For this function, electronic knobs and buttons are already commonplace.
The materials inside the cabin, which are tougher and appear to be more affordable than many in this automobile class, may be the biggest issue. Where your arms rest on the armrests and door panels, there ought to be extra padding.
12.3 cubic feet is a somewhat tiny volume for the Corolla’s trunk. The Elantra has 14.8 cubic feet, while the Cruze has 15.4 cubic feet, making the Civic only two tenths better. All of the vehicles in this class feature foldable backseats, but unless you upgrade to a high trim level, the Civic comes with a conventional one-piece bench. Other vehicles, like the Toyota Corolla, have 60/40 split-folding backseats.
Driving the vehicle The driving experience in the Toyota Corolla carries through the theme. While the handling in bends is competent, it is not particularly sporty or nimble. Check out the Ford Focus, Dodge Dart, or Civic if that’s what you want.
Even with the optional Toyota Racing Development wheels on our test Corolla, which at 18 inches offer less bump absorption than the standard 15- or 16-inch wheels (depending on the trim level) or the optional 17-inch alloy wheels, the Corolla’s ride quality isn’t particularly refined, but I found it softer than the 2013 Civic’s. They appear ludicrous on this car, in our opinion, and are just as out of place as a wing spoiler or hood scoop.
The drivetrain is also functional but antiquated. The Corolla’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder is comparable to base engines from rivals, but the automatic transmission only has four speeds, rather than the more common five or six. I caution customers against being overly engrossed in technology: The four-speed in the Corolla is a fairly well-behaved transmission, and in some respects I prefer it to the Sentra’s continuously variable transmission and the Focus’s shaky dual-clutch automatic. (A CVT will take the place of the four-speed in the 2014 Corolla.)
There is a lot of room between the gears, though, and it adds drama and noise when you press the gas to pass, for instance. It doesn’t improve acceleration or fuel efficiency, which is rated by the EPA at 26/34/29 mpg for city, highway, and mixed driving. The combined figure lags the Civic and Elantra by 3 mpg. It has a fuel economy rating that is 2 mpg better than the original Cruze but 1 mpg worse than the more popular Cruze upgrade engine. The Corolla has just one available engine.
Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Toyota Corolla its highest rating of Good for its performance in moderate-overlap frontal, side, rear, and roof-strength tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a rating of four out of five stars.
Although the Corolla has an optional navigation system, it lacks a backup camera, which is a feature that is offered in most vehicles in its class and comes as standard in the Civic along with air conditioning and airbags.
Child safety seats fit in the backseat of the Corolla quite well given its size. Find out more in our car seat check. Here is a list of all the safety features.
Corolla at the Shop The 2013 Toyota Corolla serves as an example of the influence of perception and reputation. The Corolla has built a strong reputation over the years, and despite the fact that the current model doesn’t measure up to its contemporaries, it seems that many still think it’s just as excellent as ever. It has lost market share year after year since its previous redesign in 2009, and Toyota ran the risk of damaging the Corolla’s reputation. The 2014 cannot come out soon enough in showrooms.
In This Article...
When did the Corolla get a backup camera?
The fact that Corolla has been around for 50 years may seem unbelievable, but it’s real! Everyone is aware that Corolla offers efficiency and fun, but for 2017, it will also include Toyota Safety Sense P as a standard feature on ALL Corolla models. Previously, this collection of high-tech active safety features was only offered as an expensive add-on or was completely absent. What better way to tell the world that Toyota is contributing to safer roads than with the legendary Corolla.
Those who prefer to stand out from the crowd should consider the 2017 Corolla. A stylish redesigned front end is available on the Corolla SE, XSE, and 50th Anniversary Special Edition models. The Corolla’s available 17-inch alloy wheels offer it a distinctive shape and improve both its style and performance. The Corolla LE, Eco, SE, XSE, and 50th Anniversary Special Edition versions include a rear spoiler that is seamlessly blended into the angular contours of the trunk lid to display its fun-to-drive nature from all angles.
th Anniversary Special Edition
Toyota has unveiled the 2017 Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition to help commemorate this important milestone. Black Cherry Pearl, Blizzard Pearl, and Classic Silver Metallic are the three hues that will be offered. It comes with unique 17-in alloy wheels and specific badging. The inside will have Black Cherry accent stitching on the dash and door trim, as well as Black Cherry piping on the seats.
The 2017 Toyota Corolla’s dashboard has been updated to improve the Corolla’s premium appearance. It has a fluid design, high-quality fabrics, and contrast stitching is an option. A big touch screen is surrounded by lovely piano black accents, providing the ideal balance of elegance and technology.
The optional SofTex seats in the Corolla were chosen with the environment in mind. It combines science and luxury to create a surface that resembles leather. They offer lots of support on extended drives and are weather and stain resistant.
Every car’s temperature controls ought to function like the available auto climate control! Simply set the temperature to what you want with the accessible digital controls, and the interior of the car will always be comfortable. It resembles weather on automatic pilot.
The Sport gauge cluster is available in the Corolla SE, XSE, and 50th Anniversary Special Edition models. Your journey is amplified by the LED speedometer and tachometer that are modeled after sports cars. And the new Multi-Information display provides you with all the information you require, including the average MPG and the currently playing song.
Do you want a sportier ride? The Corolla SE, XSE, or 50th Anniversary Special Edition versions are your best options. You can activate Sport Mode by pressing the available Sport button, which modifies the Engine Control Unit and simulates shift points to give your drive a sportier sensation. Additionally, available paddle shifters allow you to change gears while still holding on to the steering wheel for those occasions when you want to exert a little bit more control.
Standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P)
Toyota Safety Sense P: What is it? The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are all included in this active safety package to help you. The extensive elements of TSS-P produce in-the-moment safety that is intended to help your awareness and decision-making while driving.
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection – Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection examines the road in front of the vehicle for potential collisions, while Pedestrian Detection scans for pedestrians who may unintentionally cross the path of the Corolla under certain circumstances. An audio/visual alert and braking assistance are automatically enabled if the system anticipates a collision. The system may apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn’t react.
- When an unintentional lane departure is identified and there are clearly visible lane lines, the Lane Departure Alert system will sound an audio alert and display a visual warning on the MID screen. The Steering Assist function will start and offer gentle corrective steering when necessary to help keep the car in its lane if the system determines that the driver is not providing corrective steering action.
- Automatic High Beams: This feature improves visibility and contributes to the safety of driving at night. Automatic High Beams can automatically switch between high and low beams for you by detecting the headlights of approaching vehicles using a camera.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – This cruise control system raises the bar for cruising. The system is intended to detect the speed and distance of the car going directly in front of you and modify your speed accordingly. It does this using forward-sensing radar technology and an intelligent camera. It aids in maintaining a certain following distance, slowing down when the distance is reduced, and then resuming your usual cruising speed after the obstruction has passed.
Models
The Toyota Corolla will be offered in seven different configurations for 2017: L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, 50th Anniversary Special Edition, and XSE. The Toyota Star Safety System, Safety Sense P, and other features are shared by all models.
Is there a backup camera on the Toyota Corolla?
One of the most expensive 2022 Toyota Corolla variants is the XLE model. The integrated backup camera in the 2022 Toyota Corolla XLE projects route lines to help you back out of parking spaces securely and entirely aware of the surroundings.
Is there a backup camera on the 2012 Corolla?
The backup camera for the Toyota Corolla is specially made for the car. The camera is practically unnoticeable because to its sleek, small design. With an IP67 rating, the camera is totally weatherproof and offers superior night vision.
Is the 2013 Toyota Corolla a good vehicle?
The 2013 Toyota Corolla competes successfully in the very competitive compact car segment thanks to user-friendly interior controls, reasonable fuel economy predictions, and one of the highest dependability scores in its division. However, there are several competitors that are much more enjoyable to drive or have better materials.
Do Toyota vehicles all have backup cameras?
The 1956 Buick Centurion concept car, which had a rear-mounted camera that transmitted images to a dashboard screen, was most likely the first vehicle that had the potential for a backup camera. However, it would take another 35 years until the 1991 Japanese-market Toyota Soarer coupe became the first production vehicle to use a backup camera.
On the 2002 Q45 sedan, Infiniti was the first automaker to provide a rear camera in the United States. Rear-View Monitor was an optional feature that utilized a camera near the rear license plate, with the image and parking guidance lines displayed on a dashboard screen.
Rear cameras were initially marketed primarily as parking aids, but safety advocates soon focused on how they may save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of pedestrians, including many young children, were hurt and died in incidents every year when automobiles backing up failed to see the pedestrian (NHTSA).
After several years of delays, the NHTSA finally imposed in 2014 a requirement that all light vehicles have backup cameras by May 1, 2018.
By the time the NHTSA imposed the requirement, cameras were standard equipment on around 50% of cars and SUVs sold in the US, not just high-end models but also compact cars and SUVs like the Chevrolet Trax, Honda Fit, and Kia Soul. Rear cameras were a standard feature on all Acura, Buick, Honda, and Infiniti vehicles for the 2015 model year. Ford, Nissan, and Toyota, among other automakers, made them standard before the 2018 government requirement.