Test Drive Toyota Corolla 2007 - 2009 Hatchback

Clash of the Titans

Perhaps no car in Russia compares popularity with a golf class sedan. Presenting the Tenth Generation Corolla, Toyota defiantly secured her usual name for the most popular four-door version (Impressions from the hatchback, called Auris, we will share in the next room). And to confront the debutant will be one of the best-selling sedans in the C Ford Focus segment.
The new Corolla gained solidity and vivid resembles a small Camry. Saving the old wheelbase, the sedan became 50 mm wider, lengthened by 155 mm, and the curb weight increased by 100 kg. It fell a machine and visually: the impressive swelling, the sideways sideways the pitched Matron.
But in the interior of solidity and the rootality is no longer felt. Plastic is mostly hard, flipper door knobs, and do not have the most noble. The position is saved by the stylish design of the central console (pleases the eye x-shaped design of the climate control block) and the non-trivial solution of an optimal combination of instruments, where the secondary pointers are inscribed in the Speedometer and Tachometer scales.
Restyled Focus we are threatening to show in the fall in Frankfurt, but some innovations in the exterior of the test sedan are evident. Apparently, in the quality of compensation of some price increase of the price of the model of the model year, differs from the predecessor with chrome-plated door handle linings. Ghia signals (now also chrome) moved from the rear rack to the front wings, taking the place of repeaters of the rotation pointer. The turn signals were settled in the mirrors.
Focus salon does not shine with designer research. However, the quality of materials and assembly is quite decent. The upper part of the torpedo is finished with soft plastic under the sawed pork skin. Registration of ventilation deflectors and door handles for aluminum successfully dilutes the overall gray-black interior background. True, pad under the tree on the central console of the top version of Ghia looks, to put it mildly, alien. For the sake of stylistic unity, it should be replaced with metallic, as on machines performed by Trend.
From the point of view of Ergonomics Corolla is almost flawless. Thanks to its shape and rough fabric, the seat of the seat perfectly fixes the body. A leather rim with a leather rim (adjustable in height and by departure) and keys on the needles, large and logical buttons and handles on the console. And the onboard computer, trained to communicate with the driver in Russian, will appreciate not only people who are not familiar with foreign languages. At least as a bright evidence of respect for our Code of Circuit.
No complaints and Focus: landing of the driver, the location of the controls, effort on them, the readability of the devices is all, as it should be. The chair with albeit not the highest quality, but leather upholstery spreads well and is equipped with electrical adjustments (leather and electric drives, of course, are listed in the list of options, but the Toyota does not offer it). The steering column is adjustable in two planes. The computer is Russified. Does the tanks for any little details in Corolla more.
It is not bad (by challenges of the class, of course) also feel passengers. In any case, people of medium height and the complex are unlikely to complain about discomfort: the spaces on the rear seats are enough for legs, and above the head. Middle places, as usual, children: the feeling of the elbow, of course, the thing is good, but not when it is forced. Where as nicer to feel it through a superbly wide armrest.
The last thing you need to check before you go on the road, luggage compartments. According to the manufacturer, the volume of the trunk at Focus 465 liters. True, this figure is valid for the European version equipped with a narrow dock. The cars of the Russian assembly are equipped with a normal fear. Some of the useful volume, of course, disappears, but in our conditions such a victim is justified. Otherwise, the focus trunk is quite convenient: the lid is equipped with an internal upholstery, and the compact loops do not swing. True, on the lid of the trunk machine of the 2007 model year, for some reason there was no usual inner handle. Strange, convenient because there was a thing
Corolla trunk lid is also a dull, but there are no handles again, and large gray-like loops go down and eat part of the volume (compared to the previous generation sedugment, the trunk volume increased by 50 liters and is 450 liters). It is possible to increase it by folding the back of the rear sofa. However, the high step is significantly limited to the possibility of transporting large-sized longs.
Well, now let's see what our heroes on the go. Based on the power indicators, a couple of to Corolla 1.6 (124 hp) should be taken a 1.8-liter 125-strong Focus. However, Toyota went to us with an optional robotic box Multimode (a full automatic transmission of the Japanese clients not indulge). The automatic Focus is available only with a 100-strong 1.6 or 145-strong 2.0. And, by reflection, we stopped the choice on a powerful motor. Especially since such Ford still turns out to be cheaper than Toyota.
However, the temperament of rivals showed quite comparable. The advantage of Focus in horses is practically leveled by its relatively larger (difference with Corolla in 140 kg) mass. At the same time, the archaic 4-speed Ford machine provides much more comfortable overclocking than the modern 5-speed Toyota robot, stupid at each transmission change. It is possible to achieve smoothness from Multimode, releasing the accelerator at the time before automatic switching or adjusting the electronics manually with the help of stealing petals (after some time after such an intervention, the box will independently return to automatic mode). Exemplary parity from our heroes and with handling. Toyota confidently stands on a speed straight, smoothly reacts to the rejection of the steering wheel, and the rapid effort is quite informative. If you move with speed, in the turn of Corolla can go into a skid. However, it develops quite smoothly, the prepared driver can cope with the work of labor will not be. Alas, but it is not necessary to count on the help of electronics: the stabilization system for Corolla Japanese does not offer in Russia.
Focus perfectly keeps the speedwise direct and quite accurately prescribes the trajectories in the devices. A clear reactive effort is always present on the steering wheel. With the active passing of steep turns, there is a slight insufficient turning. Riding impressions somewhat spoils overly soft suspension, allowing quite deep rolls in turns.
In terms of rival comfort, rivals are pretty close. Small and medium irregularities both sedans pass equally well. True, the Corolla's large waves feels more confident. The excess energy intensity of the Ford and Toyota suspension, however, do not differ in the direction of the rails and the lying police are clearly not worth it. Noise insulation of both sedans on the four. The engine sound annuls only on high speed, but the bottom and wheel arches are protected mediocre.
Well, finally, as usual, about money. From the point of view of the initial costs, Focus from $ 14,010 looks at the most attractive. This is, of course, there is a sedan with a 1.4 liter motor (80 hp) in a poor configuration of Comfort. The minimum price of Corolla will be $ 18,600 per car with a 1.4-liter 97-power engine. True, in the database, such Toyota has four airbags, ABS, air conditioning, heated seats and mirrors, CD-radio
However, Ford will still be equipped with a similar set of Ford options will cost much $ 17,595.
Ford Focus Test
In a series of crash tests of the European Association EURONCAP Hatchback Ford Focus in 2004 with a total result of 35 points received a maximum rating of 5 stars. Both tests (front and side tests) The car has passed with the same result of 16 points. Experts also noted a high level of security of 40 points in the cabin (4 stars out of 5). However, the safety of pedestrians was very mediocre only 15 points, which corresponds to 2 stars out of 4.
Toyota Corolla Test Test
A series of crash tests of the European Association Euroncap The new generation of Toyota Corolla has passed this year. According to the test results, the sedan received 34 points, which pulls on the maximum rating of 5 stars. The frontal blow at the same time was made by a car for 15 points, and the side for 16. For the safety of children, experts awarded a novelty of 39 points, which corresponds to 4 stars out of 5 possible. Also highly appreciated the concern for pedestrians 23 points (3 stars out of 4).
Suitable: Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla
Ford Focus
+ Modern European car at a very attractive price, a magnificent tandem of a 4-speed automaton and a motor 2.0.
- The boring interior, few branches for the smallest things, there is no inner handle in the trunk.
Dmitry Zlenko, Mkmobil correspondent:
This car has always possessed, perhaps, the most balanced set of qualities among itself is similar. Here and excellent driving quality, and decent dynamics, and a well-fulfilled salon, and functional filling, and more than respectable appearance. Of course, the more fresh in a temporary relation to Corolla and looks more promolred, and it is not worse. But it is still early to write off Focus since the accounts, especially since the Optimal Quality Balance of the Japanese never achieved.
Daria Zarezka, Mkmobil correspondent:
A year and a half ago, Focus looked quite relevant, standing out among similar sedans with a presentable and universal appearance, at the same time suitable and respectable father of the family, and a single middle manager. Today, Ford is gradually understood by designers of competing companies. The same can be said about the interior qualitatively, quite modern, but without a raisin. One pleases that he is still going. In short, Focus today is just a good, good car.
Toyota Corolla
+ Not bad value for money, respectable appearance, native Japanese assembly.
- poor choice of power units, lack of a diesel version and a full-fledged machine.
Dmitry Zlenko, Mkmobil's correspondent: the similarity of a compact sedan with the flagship model of a business class is always on hand, so that with the exterior of the new generation Corolla Toyotovs not exactly missed, moreover, adding a solid appearance no less respectable on the interior. Although if you compare the interior of the novelty with a related Auris, then the latter looks, of course, is criminatory. As for the movements of Corolla, then the Japanese did not offer anything new anything new.
Daria Zarezka, Mkmobil correspondent: If we consider the tenth generation of Toyota Corolla as a whole, I like Auris more. Actually, Corolla has a much more respectable appearance, clearly-oriented on a strong floor. But the interior, despite the mainly classical construction, was not exceptionally male. It is quite elegant here, conveniently and functionally. I liked the novelty and in motion, especially the smoothness of the stroke and handling, but the robotic KP would defy the usual automatic.
Text: Andrei Tsybulsky
Photo: Yang Segal

A source: Mkmobil [04.06.2007]