Toyota Corolla test drive since 2010 hatchback

Clash of the Titans

Perhaps no car in Russia can be compared in popularity with the golf class sedan. Representing the tenth generation Corolla, Toyota defiantly fixed the usual name for the most popular four -door version (impressions of the hatchback called Auris, we will share in the next issue). And to resist the debutant will be one of the best -selling sedans in the segment C Ford Focus.
The new Corolla gained solidity and lively resembles a small Camry. Preserving the previous wheelbase, the sedan became 50 mm wider, lengthened by 155 mm, and the equipped mass increased by 100 kg. The car was heavier and visually: impressive overhangs, stomach sides, a sort of venerable Matron.
But in the interior of solidity and thoroughness, it is no longer felt. The plastic is mostly hard, the door handles are flimsy, and the view is not the most noble. The situation is saved by the stylish design of the central console (the X-shaped design of the keys of the climate control unit is pleased with the eye) and the non-trivial solution of the optimal combination of devices, where secondary signs are inscribed in the speedometer and tachometer scale.
We are threatened to show the restyled Focus in the autumn in Frankfurt, but some innovations in the exterior of the test sedan are obvious. Apparently, as a compensation for some price increase, the 2007 model year’s car differs from the predecessor with chrome door handles. The Ghia nameplate (now also chrome) moved from the rear rack to the front wings, taking the places of the turning indicator. The turn signals themselves settled in the mirrors.
Focus salon does not shine with designer sorts. However, the quality of materials and assembly is quite decent. The upper part of the torpedo is trimmed with soft plastic under the cut pork skin. The design of ventilation and door handles for aluminum successfully dilutes the general gray-black background of the interior. True, a tree lining on the central console of the top version of the GHIA looks, to put it mildly, alien. For the sake of the stylistic unity of it, it should be replaced by a metal one, as on machines performed by Trend.
From the point of view of Corolla ergonomics, it is almost impeccable. Due to its shape and rough fabric of the skin, the seat perfectly fixes the body. Lada steel with a leather rim (adjusted in height and departure) and keys on knitting needles, large and logical buttons and handles on the console. And the on-board computer, trained to communicate with the driver in Russian, will be appreciated not only by people who are not familiar with foreign languages. At least as a vivid evidence of respect for our capacious market.
Without complaints and Focus: the driver’s landing, the location of the governing bodies, the effort on them, the readability of the devices, as it should be. A chair with, albeit not the most high -quality, but leather upholstery distributes the load well and is equipped with electrical adjustments (leather and electric drives, of course, are listed in the list of options, but Toyota does not offer this). The steering column is adjustable in two planes. The computer is Russified. Is there a larger container for any little thing in Corolla.
Passengers and passengers also feel good (by the standards of class, of course). In any case, people of medium height and complexion are unlikely to complain about discomfort: the spaces in the rear seats are enough for both the legs and above their heads. Middle places, as usual, are children: the feeling of the elbow, of course, is good, but not when it is forced. Where it is more pleasant to feel it through a perfectly wide armrest.
The last thing to check before you go on the road, luggage compartments. According to the manufacturer, the lugger volume of Focus is 465 liters. True, this figure is fair for the European version equipped with a narrow finish. The cars of the Russian assembly are equipped with a normal stock. 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 internal upholstery, and compact loops do not think of the luggage. True, for some reason, on the lid of the trunk of the 2007 model year, there was no familiar inner handle. Strange, it was a convenient thing
The Corolla trunk lid is also inhabited, but again there are no handles, and large sickle -shaped loops when closing go down and eat part of the volume (compared to the previous generation sedan, the volume of the trunk increased by 50 liters and is 450 liters). You can increase it by folding the back of the rear sofa. However, the high step formed at the same time significantly limits the possibilities of transporting large -sized long -term long -breeds.
Well, now let's see what our heroes are on the go. Based on the power indicators, in a couple to Corolla 1.6 (124 hp), a 1.8-liter 125-horsepower Focus should be taken. However, Toyota went to us with an optional Multimode robotic box (customer Japanese do not indulge in a full automatic transmission). Automatic Focus is available only with a 100-horsepower 1.6 or 145-horsepower 2.0. And, reflecting, we opted for a powerful motor. Moreover, such Ford is still cheaper than Toyota.
However, the rivals showed the temperament quite comparable. The advantage of Focus in horses is practically leveled by its relatively larger (difference with Corolla in 140 kg). At the same time, an archaic 4-speed Ford machine provides much more comfortable acceleration than a modern Toyota 5-speed robot, which shuts up with each transmission change. You can achieve smoothness from Multimode by releasing the accelerator at the moment before automatically switching or adjusting the electronics manually using steering wheel petals (some time after such an intervention, the box will independently return to the automatic mode). Approximate parity among our heroes and handling. Toyota confidently stands on a high -speed straight line, gently reacts to the deviations of the steering wheel, while the effort on the steering wheel is quite informative. If you overdo it at speed, Corolla can go into a skid in a bend. However, it develops quite smoothly, the prepared driver will not be able to cope with the labor machine. Alas, there is no need to count on the help of electronics: the Japanese do not offer a stabilization system for Corolla in Russia.
Focus perfectly holds the high -speed line and accurately prescribes the trajectories in the turns. There is always a clear reactive force on the steering wheel. With the active passage of steep turns, a slight insufficient rotation is observed. Driving impressions are somewhat unnecessarily spoiled by a soft suspension, allowing rather deep rolls in corners.
In terms of sled comfort, opponents are quite close. Small and medium irregularities both sedans pass equally well. True, on large waves, Corolla feels more confident. The excessive energy intensity of the Ford and Toyota suspension, however, is not very worth taking the rails and the lying policemen are clearly not worth it. Noise insulation of both sedans per four. The sound of the engine announces only at high speeds, but the bottom and wheel arches are protected mediocre.
And finally, as usual, about money. From the point of view of initial expenses, the most attractive is Focus from $ 14,010. Of course, it is about a sedan with a 1.4 -liter engine (80 hp) in a poor confirm Comfort. The minimum price of Corolla will be $ 18,600 per car with a 1.4-liter 97-horsepower engine. True, in the database of such Toyota there are four airbags, ABS, air conditioning, heating seats and mirrors, CD magnet
However, equipped with a similar set of Ford options will still cost less than $ 17,595.
Ford focus crash test
In a series of crash tests of the European EURONCAP Association, Ford Focus hatchback in 2004 with a total result of 35 points received a maximum estimate of 5 stars. Both tests (front and lateral tests) passed the car 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 crash test
A series of crash tests of the European Association of EURONCAP The new generation of Toyota Corolla was held this year. According to the results of the tests, the sedan received 34 points, which is drawn to the maximum rating of 5 stars. At the same time, the frontal blow was carried out by a car for 15 points, and the side of 16. For the safety of children, experts awarded the novelty of 39 points, which corresponds to 4 stars out of 5 possible. Care for pedestrians 23 points (3 stars out of 4) was also highly appreciated.
Seeing: Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla
Ford Focus
+ A modern European car at a very attractive price, a magnificent tandem of a 4-speed machine and a 2.0 motor.
- A boring interior, few departments for the little things, there is no inner handle in the trunk.
Dmitry Zlenko, Mkobil correspondent:
This car has always had, perhaps, the most balanced set of qualities among its own kind. There are excellent running qualities, and decent dynamics, and a soundly executed salon, and functional content, and more than respectable appearance. Of course, Corolla is more temporary more temporarily more supposed, and goes no worse. But it’s too early to write off Focus from accounts, especially since the Japanese never reached that optimal qualitative balance.
Daria Zaretskaya, Mkobil 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 for the respectable father of the family, and the idle manager of the middle level. Today, Ford is gradually depersonalized by designers of competing companies. The same can be said about the interior qualitatively, quite modern, but without a highlight. One thing is happy that he is still going. In a word, Focus today is just a good, solid car.
Toyota Corolla
+ A good ratio of price and quality, respectable appearance, native Japanese assembly.
- a poor selection of power units, the lack of a diesel version and a full -fledged machine gun.
Dmitry Zlenko, Mkobil correspondent: the similarity of a compact sedan with a flagship business class model is always on hand, so the Toyotovites did not miss the exterior of the new generation Corolla, moreover, supplementing the solid appearance no less respectable in execution and in appearance. Although if you compare the interior of the novelties with the related Auris, the latter looks, of course, more amaneous. As for the running qualities of Corolla, then the Japanese did not offer anything new quite mediocre.
Daria Zaretskaya, Mkobil correspondent: if you consider the tenth generation of Toyota Corolla in general, I like Auris more. Actually, Corolla has a much more respectable appearance, clearly focused on the stronger floor. But the interior, despite the mainly classic construction, did not seem exclusively male. It is quite elegant, convenient and functional. I liked the novelty in motion, especially the smoothness of the course and controllability, but I would definitely prefer a conventional automatic machine to a robotic KP.
Text: Andrey Tsybulsky
Photo: Yan Segal

Source: Mkobil [04.06.2007]