2008 Toyota Corolla
By Kelly Foss, www.car-data.com
The Toyota Corolla has the distinction of being the highest total sales vehicle in the world’shistory. That’s right; over 30 million Corollas’ have been bought over the years. Last year about390,000 were sold in the U.S. alone with world sales almost reaching a million. For 2008, Toyotahas provides us with a totally new model.
The new Corolla takes on the family persona of other Toyota sedans. It looks like a smallerversion of a Camry from the front…no accident. The lines are classic and stylish. Corollaowners will be proud to show off their new compact sedan. Toyota has deftly styled the new Corollaand comfortably positioned it between the smaller Yaris and the larger Camry.
The new Corolla is slightly larger than the former model. The interior space reshaped a bit togive the vehicle a broader feel. The dashboard is simple, easy to decipher and contains all thenecessary controls. A navigation system is now offered on the Corolla along with an upgraded audiosystem. NVH has been improved delivering an interior that is more completely isolated from the dinof the outside world. Leather seats are also available as well as a manual tilt/telescope steeringcolumn. The trunk is roomy and the fold down rear seat backs serve to significantly expand theinterior usability of the vehicle.
The road dynamics for the corolla have also improved. Previous models were sometimes a touchchoppy, but the new model balances a soft compliant ride with good handling. The new Corolla againis offered with a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine but this 1.8 is totally new and has 132 hp and 128foot pounds of torque. It is offered with either a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manualtransmission. According to the new 2008 EPA rating system, the new Corolla get 27 city, 35 highwayand 30 combined for both transmissions.
This is about the same as last year’s model. On the XRS sport models, the larger 2.4 liter 4cylinder is borrowed from the Camry and the Scion TC and mated with either a 5 speed manual or a 5speed automatic transmission.
There is a 20% fuel economy penalty with the larger engine but it adds an extra dimension ofpower and smoothness to the vehicle.
Toyota has also included a full suite of safety gear on the Corolla.
Systems include ABS antilock brakes, EBD brake force distribution, BA brake assist which boostbrake pressure in a panic stop, stability control and tractions control. Add to that front, sideand side curtain airbags and you get a compact sedan with superior safety capabilities.
In all, I really like the new Corolla. The largest groups of buyers of this vehicle are youngcouples and senior couples. Both want the same things in a car. Safety, economy, reliability,comfort and good value. Corolla delivers on all those things.
