Monthly Motor - December 2014

BRAND FOCUS
The All New Toyota Corolla –
Kenya’s Best Just Got Better
Corolla; and the same is true for the interior. I
wouldn’t hesitate to add that the interior is sporty
and exciting, clean and with a touch of style over the
tenth generation.
Starting from the back, you have a rear or the
boot that has enough space for my curling broom
and bag and 60/40 split folding seats for those that
need extra length for long items. In the back there
are three seats and they are roomy, with tons of legroom
for the class. The middle seat is even bearable
due to the nearly flat floor and less of a hump in the
middle than normal. The New Corolla also has a tilt
and telescoping steering wheel that, in combination
with the seat that is height-adjustable and reclining,
provide good comfort for discerning drivers.
The dash and door panel materials look good
with a colour accent and a contrast of black, the
interior not a one-colour dungeon.
The HVAC controls are easy to use and I like
the simple, large dials. The entertainment system is
mostly very simple. Setting up the Bluetooth phone
is a breeze. An added bonus is that the radio screen
dims with the dash controls and can be completely
shut off! The new Corolla does not just look different
inside and out, it drives differently than the
previous generation. The biggest difference with the
new Toyota Corolla is the improved ride and handling
feel. The brakes feel responsive and are really
easy to modulate, providing good confidence under
hard braking. The steering is weighted nicely, with a
sure electric power steering feels.
What is excellent in regards to the steering is
the turning radius. I’ve been surprised more than
a few times that I had a full half turn more when
What we have this month, readers, is one of the bestselling vehicles in
the world, newly designed for the 2015 model year to remove the bland –
according to Toyota. This is the all-new 2015 Toyota Corolla with what Toyota
calls the “Upgrade Package”, most likely their volume seller, or as many
motorists would want to say, the quintessential family saloon.
On the surface, the all new Corolla
represents exceptional value for
money. It comes with goodlooking
16-inch aluminium alloy
wheels, air conditioning, 7 speed
CVT automatic transmission, keyless entry, power
windows, leather seats, 7 airbags, cruise control,
and Bluetooth hands-free calling all as standard. All
these represent excellent value.
Toyota Kenya’s marketing department is push-
ing this new Corolla as Kenya’s best just got better!
The Corolla is no longer boring and dull, it looks
and feels like a mid-sized luxury saloon. Some
motorists even confuse the new Corolla for the
larger Camry – this month I’ll be the judge of that.
Competitors:
Chevrolet Cruze
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte
Mazda3
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Sentra
Subaru Impreza
Volkswagen Jetta
The exterior of the new Corolla is certainly
more stylish and less bland than the outgoing
turning around or picking a parking space. I was
really impressed when I was able to turn from the
through-lane at the grocery store directly into the
first parking space by an island in one swoop, typically
an impossible task.
And the biggest change is the replacement of
the four-speed automatic transmission with the
CVT. Depending on your driving styles this could
make your decision about this car. Drive the Corolla
sedately and smoothly and the revs stay at or below
1,500 rpm nearly all the time, no engine noise, no
shifting and just a smooth ride.
CONCLUSION
Since its redesign last year, the Corolla’s cabin
has become one of the roomiest in its class: the
Corolla’s passenger volume of 2,761 litres is roomier
26 MOTOR DECEMBER 2014
MOTOR DECEMBER 2014 27