Toyota Corolla 2007 test drive - 2009 hatchback

Gray cloud

Many people like to bend their line, thus demonstrating to others their significance. But some prefer not to prove anything to anyone: practice shows that being a gray mouse, or in this case with a gray car is sometimes more profitable than showing their character.
 
Indulging the tastes of the general public, the creation of cars, taking into account the traditions of the automotive industry (practically without adding anything from itself), oddly enough, leads to the appearance of the most popular products in the world (and this is even in the era of crossovers, cars several in one). And a vivid example of Toyota Corolla. The Japanese did not seek to give this machine individual features, with all their might they tried to build an honest car alone in one. As a result, almost the most balanced golf class model appeared. Yes, it does not exceed its competitors, but there are no obvious failures in any discipline. And this is the whole essence of Corolla: she does everything well, she is a pleasant car in all respects. Well, the focus of all the positive qualities of the family was Corolla with a digital index 120, produced from 2001 to 2006.
 
Some characteristics
 
Type of body
Sedan/Universal (hatchback)
Stream doors
4/5 (3/5)
Summer places
5
Length
4375/4375 (4180) mm
Width
1710 mm
Height
1470/1500 (1475) mm
Wheelbase
2600 mm
Acceleration to 100 km / h*
10.2 s
Maximum speed*
190 km / h
* Data for a car with a 1.6 liter engine and manual transmission.
 
Corolla of those years marked a very curious tendency in the development of the family: starting from this generation, the hatchback and sedan ceased to resemble each other (in addition to them, in the model line, by the way, there are a station wagon and CD-van Corolla Verso, which has not yet been removed from production). The hatchback is a four -door car, it is more modest and unpretentious among classmates, but it gives the impression of a fried and dynamic car. Note that in the new generation (factory index 150), the Japanese went even further: now the hatchback is even called otherwise Auris. The style of style, and buyers of used cars more worry about how the body is opposed by Russian anti -icing reagents. Do not worry, everything is in order. Everything is good with an electrician.
 
Sitting in Corolla, sometimes you catch yourself thinking that you are in a car of a higher segment than class C: such a feeling arises thanks to the architecture of the salon, used materials of the decoration and the quality of the assembly. In general, with regard to the work of the interior space, Corolla is one of the best cars in its class. In terms of the expanse, everything is also fine: it is convenient to sit in front and behind, and the driver is provided with a fairly wide range of adjustment (you can raise the chair up and down, change the height or departure of the steering wheel). As for the equipment, everything is at an average level for golf class: the basic equipment involves the presence of ABS, frontal airbags, front electric windows and a simple musical installation. Some specimens have such pleasant and useful options as climate control and anti-icing system (earlier such assistants were the property of a car and representative segments).
 
Corolla’s running qualities are at a height: almost any motor tells her decent dynamics (and for the dardes there is a rather frisky T-SPORT modification that runs up to 100 km/h for 8.5 s and differs from other models of better handling and more aggressive appearance ). But still, the car was created with an eye on comfort: the smoothness of the course of Corolla by the standards of the class is simply magnificent! True, the controllability of ordinary versions leaves much to be desired (the same Mitsubishi Lancer, and even more so Mazda 3 is much more collected).
 
The line of engines in a car class C is unusually diverse. It begins with a 1.3-liter row four with a capacity of 88 hp. The next step is a 1.4-liter engine that has already 97 hp.
Further, a one and a half liter unit with a capacity of 110 hp. (There is also a 1.6 -liter engine of the same power, but with an increased torque). The most powerful of civilian engines is 135-horsepower 1.8 liter (Corolla T-Sport sets the 192-horsepower unit of the same volume). The most voluminous engine (2 l) consumes diesel fuel instead of gasoline and produces 90 liters. With. (Machines equipped with a diesel engine, officially never got into our country).
 
Gasoline engines of attention almost do not require. Planned service should be carried out every 10 thousand km (oil replacement with all filters), there are practically no other worries (the valves are driven by a chain, which, as you know, is much more durable than any belt). But this does not mean that the owners have never encountered troubles. There are cases when from our harsh winter (or rather, from one order of the reagent attribute bored with them), cracks appeared in the radiator. At one time, cases of increased oil consumption were recorded (due to the occurrence of piston rings), and in addition, the Tinger of the timing chain is flowing on some machines and even the VVT-I coupling is scattered.
 
Corolla is equipped with two types of gearboxes: traditional machines (and not a newfangled robot, like the latest generation car) with four steps and mechanical at five or six speeds. So far, there were no cases that these units delivered trouble to the owners. But so that this continues in the future, every 40 thousand km it is necessary to carry out the so -called large that, which involves the replacement of oil in the gearbox, brake fluid and antifreeze.
 
The suspension of the car is strong. As usual, the front stabilizer bushings (an average of 50 thousand km) are least of all, before the replacement). The front shock absorbers (up to 60 thousand. km), and strikingly durable racks of the reptile stability stabilizer (they may be enough for 100 thousand km). Silent-blocks of levers, ball supports, rear shock absorbers withstands all this farm, as a rule, more than 100 thousand km. The steering rack sometimes makes unpleasant noises, and the only way to deal with them to change the knot entirely. In addition, the resource of the details of the brake system is upset: no more than 30 thousand km go the front pads (and sometimes even less), a little longer, and the brake discs barely digest two sets of pads (the rear discs sometimes become unusable and after the first set linings).
 
The maximum convenience and the minimum of problems here is the motto of this machine. It is easy to use all the devices located in the cabin, the car is on the bad roads without tension, the controls of air control, and with prolonged operation, Corolla practically does not annoy with breakdowns and the need to often visit the service station. For a person who seeks just transport, this is ideal. Well, to those who are not alien to the taste of the struggle, to whom sometimes and tension in buzz, for whom individuality and bright character, Corolla is unlikely to do. I must say that the fighting (to his joy) fights the Toyota in recent years has very little cars: Supra, Celica, Mark II, Caldina GT-T
 
The advantages and disadvantages of the model
 
Advantages
High -quality finish
Excellent smoothness
High reliability

Flaws
Modest appearance
Average controllability
High price
 

Source: Magazine Cars and prices June 17, 2008.