2009 Toyota Corolla

By René Gervais

Sleep potion for the kids

Let’s get serious; the Corolla will never take your breath away. Everyone acknowledges its dependability, the stingy fuel consumption and, for the most part, the excellent quality-price ratio. These plusses make the Toyota Corolla a very popular vehicle but not, sadly, a fun vehicle.

Road-test  likes:

• The comfortable seating;
• great ergonomics;
• impressive cargo space;
• an  upgraded dashboard;
• reliability;
• the latest technology in carbon footprint reduction.

Road-test dislikes:

• the horrible steering;
• the  engine’s lack of punch;
• the new design’s timidity;

Driving impressions

For those who believe vehicle critics would never dare say something negative about a Japanese product, read on and learn...  True, the reviewers often praise Japanese products, and rightly so; there second to none in reliability. One, however, eventually yearns for the fun factor to the point of wanting less dependability so as to change this Toyota more rapidly. The predecessor was not frolicsome but did have a certain lightness. This year, though, brings no relief; you’re simulating avoidance manoeuvres, the seriously loose steering give makes you feel like tou’re piloting an ocean liner.

While Toyota vaunts its standard electronic power steering, I knew already this one was not a standard power steering. Normally, one can’t notice such a big difference.  I had the distinct impression of a delay, however minor, between my steering motion and the reaction time of the wheels. Let’s not mince words, this is unacceptable, period!