Toyota Corolla 2007 test drive - 2009 hatchback

All photos Toyota Corolla 2007 - 2009

Not all gold ... Toyota Corolla/Auris

Toyota has never been considered the legislator of the mod in the automotive industry. However, from time to time it is on the tip of this very fashion, significantly ahead of the rest

Previously, various modifications of golf class cars were not separate: versions in different bodies were very similar to each other. Everything changed when the manufacturers vied with the vying of the same name, under the same name, completely inconsistent in the appearance of the machine. Why is it not entirely clear: the costs of developing new body panels are considerable, and the effect is approximately the same as that of Volkswagen and GM with their large-scale Bedzh-Engineering (according to the project philosophy, more fish can be caught for several fishing rods, only marketers did not take into account that the number Pisces that pecks on the same type of bait, in principle, is limited). So it turns out that the fashion is quite meaningless, but very contagious. Due to its influence, the three- and five-door Opel Astra, hatchbacks and sedans Chevrolet Lacetti and Honda Civic subordinated to fashion and Toyota: modifications of the Corolla model in the previous generation differed among themselves. And with the advent of the new version of its hit, the company went even further: the name of the car now depends on the type of body. Yes, the Japanese were not the first to decide on such a step (VW has long been divided into Vento/Bora/Jetta and Golf), but showed courage uncharacteristic for themselves: usually they pour into a fully formed stream.

General impressions
As in the last generation, the four -door Corolla is very modest: outside it is conservative, proportional, not particularly outstanding, but rather pretty sedan. The hatchback is called Auris (from Latin Aurum gold). Suspicious, especially under the skin of Auris, the same Corolla. At the same time, the hatchback is quite suitable for the role of a seasoned, so to speak, gilded version of Corolla: he makes the impression of a more elegant car.

And inside, in particular, too: the central panel looks much more exciting than a conservative torpedo of a four -door car. Although the interior of both versions is very nice, and even in terms of ergonomics, both models are equally good: all buttons and levers are located logically. The finishing materials are not the most expensive, but not the cheapest, the plastic used in the cabin is quite solid. The rear sofa of this car is one of the most spacious in the classroom, you can put at least basketball players back.

But the running qualities are disappointed: for example, the characteristics of the top engine Corolla/Auris are ridiculous (1.6 liters without a supercharger against the background of 2.3- and even 2.5-liter competitors' turbo engines). However, for its volume it does not pull so badly, but the fact that there is nothing more powerful is upset. Toyota’s handling is quite decent, but a semi -dependent rear suspension means that it is good to steer Corolla/Auris only on a perfectly smooth asphalt.

Characteristics

Body type sedan hatchback
Number doors 4 5
Sum of places 5
Length, mm 4220 4540
Width, mm 1760
Height, mm 1515 1470
Wheel base, mm 2600
Road clearance, mm 150
The type of suspension (front/back) is independent, with racks like MacPherson/semi -dependent, spring
Type of drive front
Brakes (front/rear) ventilated/disk disk
Gas tank volume, l 55
Passive security rating*Defense of adults *****
Children's protection ****
Pedestrian protection ***

* According to EURONCAP.

Choosing a body
Above, we have already noted that this model has only two types of bodies: a sedan and a five -door hatchback. In the previous generation there were a three -door and a station wagon. The cost of two machines in the same configuration with the same engine practically does not differ. Another thing is that Auris and Corolla practically do not intersect, ceteris paribus: the hatchback is initially more expensive than the sedan, since the four -door machine in the base is offered in a poorer. So, if the sedan cost the buyer at least 686,069 rubles. (or 553 500 rubles, if we are talking about the 2008 model model), then the hatchback is offered at a price of 729 576 rubles. (or 588,600 rubles per car last year).

Sources of movement
The weakest engine has a working volume of 1.4 liters, develops a power of 97 liters. With. And it is shared exclusively with a mechanical box. Corolla or Auris rides with such a motor, to put it mildly, quite sluggish: acceleration to a hundred takes 13 s. At the same time, a 1.4-liter unit is slightly more economical than a more voluminous engine: in a mixed cycle, it consumes 6.7 liters instead of 6.9. That is why cars with such a motor are not in great demand. Cars for cars with a 1.4-liter four are given below.

Among Russians, a 1.6-liter power unit with a capacity of 124 liters is much more popular. With. The minimum cost of Corolla with this engine is 732 923 rubles. (or 591 300 rubles per model 2008), Auris 786 470 rubles. (or 634 500 rubles). When choosing a machine with such an engine, the checkpoint can be ordered mechanical or robotic (surcharge for the latter is approximately 33 thousand rubles). Unfortunately, the robot is far from a masterpiece in terms of the algorithm of work: it twitches and stupid, and transmission often selects out of place.

The Japanese provided a golf class and diesel engines with a volume of 1.4, 2.0 and 2.2 liters for their car, however, such cars do not offer Russian customers.

Basic levels of equipment
The basic level of execution for Corolla (but not for Auris) is called comfort. The sedan in this configuration can have both a 1.4-liter engine and a 1.6-liter unit with a manual transmission or a robot (you will have to pay 686,069, 732 923 or 766 390 rubles for the 2009 car, while last year's copies will cost 553 500, 591 300 or 618 300 rubles). The standard equipment includes headlight washer, air conditioning, front door windows, on-board computer, an audio system with an MP3 player, ABS, front and side airbags, as well as heating the front seats. Everything you need and nothing superfluous.

Auris is initially offered in a richer configuration of eleans. And if Corolla in this performance occurs only with a 1.6-liter engine and a robot (666 900 or 826 630 rubles, depending on the year of release), then Auris may have a 1.4-liter power unit under the hood (588 600 or 729 576 rubles), and a hitch consisting of a 1.6-liter four and manual transmission (634 500 or 786 470 rubles), and a 1.6-liter engine combined with robotic mechanics (from 661 500 to 819 937 rubles. ). What are the standard equipment of eleganes from simpler comfort? The climate control instead of air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, an electric rear windows, more perfect music, as well as the presence of a knee airbag for a driver, not to mention inflatable curtains.

The hatchback and the sedan in equipment are prestigious in terms of the motor from each other: both Auris and Corolla with such a prefix have a 1.6-liter unit pair with a robot. The cost of Auris is 883 524 rubles. (2008 machines are sold for 712,800 rubles), Corolla is more than thousands of seven more expensive. Of the additional equipment, prestige has the rain and light sensors, a cruise control, as well as an intellectual planting system into a car and engine start.

Additives?
The manufacturer offers for Corolla/Auris many accessories, most of which are decorated, designed to slightly improve the appearance of the car. But there are also quite functional: children's seats, more advanced anti-theft devices, an entertainment system with a DVD player, a CD changer, a set for connecting the iPod player.

COMPETITION

Ford Focus
Both outside and inside Focus are much more modest than Corolla, and even more so Auris. However, the choice of engines he has more (and of them at least two are noticeably more powerful than the top Japanese engine), the controllability is better, and the salon is assembled from more pleasant materials. In addition, Focus is much cheaper. It is bad that the latter Focus from Vsevolozhsk are subject to many troubles such as cracking hubs.

Honda Civic
The creation of the CHNODA segment was approached with about the same installations as Toyota: the sedan and the hatchback are completely independent cars. Moreover, if the first is modest, the second is extravagant. Civic’s base engine is noticeably more painful than the most powerful motor offered for Auris and Corolla. And Civic is better equipped: the hatchback’s stabilization system is already in the database, but Toyota does not have at all.

Mazda 3
Compared to Corolla and Auris, the treshka already removed from the production seems crowded, but in running qualities it noticeably exceeds Toyota. Yes, and in terms of smoothness, the Mazda 3 stroke is at least no worse. In addition, she has something that Toyota is so lacking, a hot version: today MPS is considered one of the best golf-class hatchbacks.