Monthly Motor - December 2014
All Your Motoring Needs from Kenyan Publishers Media 7 Group
All Your Motoring Needs from Kenyan Publishers Media 7 Group
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Corolla; and the same is true for the interior. I<br />
wouldn’t hesitate to add that the interior is sporty<br />
and exciting, clean and with a touch of style over the<br />
tenth generation.<br />
Starting from the back, you have a rear or the<br />
boot that has enough space for my curling broom<br />
and bag and 60/40 split folding seats for those that<br />
need extra length for long items. In the back there<br />
are three seats and they are roomy, with tons of legroom<br />
for the class. The middle seat is even bearable<br />
due to the nearly flat floor and less of a hump in the<br />
middle than normal. The New Corolla also has a tilt<br />
and telescoping steering wheel that, in combination<br />
with the seat that is height-adjustable and reclining,<br />
provide good comfort for discerning drivers.<br />
The dash and door panel materials look good<br />
with a colour accent and a contrast of black, the<br />
interior not a one-colour dungeon.<br />
The HVAC controls are easy to use and I like<br />
the simple, large dials. The entertainment system is<br />
mostly very simple. Setting up the Bluetooth phone<br />
is a breeze. An added bonus is that the radio screen<br />
dims with the dash controls and can be completely<br />
shut off! The new Corolla does not just look different<br />
inside and out, it drives differently than the<br />
previous generation. The biggest difference with the<br />
new Toyota Corolla is the improved ride and handling<br />
feel. The brakes feel responsive and are really<br />
easy to modulate, providing good confidence under<br />
hard braking. The steering is weighted nicely, with a<br />
sure electric power steering feels.<br />
What is excellent in regards to the steering is<br />
the turning radius. I’ve been surprised more than<br />
a few times that I had a full half turn more when<br />
turning around or picking a parking space. I was<br />
really impressed when I was able to turn from the<br />
through-lane at the grocery store directly into the<br />
first parking space by an island in one swoop, typically<br />
an impossible task.<br />
And the biggest change is the replacement of<br />
the four-speed automatic transmission with the<br />
CVT. Depending on your driving styles this could<br />
make your decision about this car. Drive the Corolla<br />
sedately and smoothly and the revs stay at or below<br />
1,500 rpm nearly all the time, no engine noise, no<br />
shifting and just a smooth ride.<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
Since its redesign last year, the Corolla’s cabin<br />
has become one of the roomiest in its class: the<br />
Corolla’s passenger volume of 2,761 litres is roomier<br />
MOTOR DECEMBER <strong>2014</strong> 27