2009 Toyota Corollla: comfy and convenient

KATHY RENWALD FOR THE TORONTO STAR

The Toyota Corolla looks semi-sleek and surprisingly grown-up for a car of its size.

Kathy Renwald

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The Toyota Corolla is a great car if you've never driven a car before. If I hadn't driven a Mazda3 or a Civic, or a City Rabbit I could be happy with the Corolla just as I could be happy with pressed turkey if I'd never eaten roast turkey.

Don't get me wrong, there's much that is certified okay with the Canadian-built compact sedan.

The exterior styling is semi-sleek and surprisingly grown-up for the midget end of the Toyota lineup. It's like somebody's little sister sporting a push-up bra.

My Corolla, a $21,765 LE model, was decorated in chartered accountant black without a splash of metallica to brake up the solemn sheet metal.

The interior exceeds expectations. It is sharply put together, tight, smooth, well thought out and feels more custom than off-the-rack. There's a push-button start that is upmarket cool, dial sweep upon ignition, and a handsome two-tone colour scheme across the dash that is decidedly cheerful.

The important gauges – speedo, tach, fuel – are a model of clarity and good graphic design. In bright daylight they are crisply readable. The centre stack is precisely arranged, buttons are big, print is bigger yet, and the whole execution exudes quality.

The seats in the LE were cloth, and I found the driver's seat La-Z-Boy comfy and ergonomically suitable, with a tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

Comfort and convenience are the focus of the LE, so other builder upgrades include simulated wood-grain trim, which would really be a knockout if the colour didn't resemble barbecued chicken.

There's lots of storage space for today's busy Coroller, with deep wells in the doors, multi-tiered storage beneath the armrest, and an upper and lower glove box that makes sense.

With high seating positions and picture window-sized portholes, the Corolla has good visibility, and feels bright and roomy inside. The new design improves headroom and increased cabin width gives shoulder space. In the back, the hump-free floor makes it a pleasant space for three passengers.

Under the hood, the Corolla offers two new engines. The LE, S and CE get a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 132 hp. The sporting XRS gets an all new 2.4-litre four-cylinder capable of 158 hp.

The adequate but not exhilarating engine in the LE is coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission that will transport old ladies and people used to public transit without any rise in heart rate. The cabin remains quiet until you need to pass and the engine spools up enough revs to squirt by.

The most memorable thing about the car is the steering. Have you handled bread dough? Stirred mashed potatoes? Then you might get an idea of the tactile impression.

This is the new electric power steering Toyota has assigned to the Corolla. They say it eliminates the hydraulic components that need oil. I say I'd be glad to spring for some extra virgin olive oil if it would mean deep-sixing this improvement.

There's feedback but it seems like there's a mischievous puppet pulling the controls. I had to drive it through a tight construction zone, and the steering requires constant babysitting.

Still there's a galaxy full of happy Corolla customers. They've liked the price; this year's base MSRP starts at $14,835, the well executed fit and finish, and, of course, the frugal fuel projections (7.4 L/100 km city, 5.6 L highway). ABS and active head restraints are also standard across the lineup.

The Corolla is comfy like old slippers, and judging by sales in the past, there will be lots of people shuffling to buy the 2009.

Freelance auto reviewer Kathy Renwald can be reached at kathyrenwald.com

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