Toyota has some excellent laurels on which to rest: a history of outstanding reliability and affordability are nothing to sneeze at, as are many of its past and current vehicles of high status. But that doesn't change the fact that it feels like Toyota is resting on its laurels with the 2019 Corolla.Corolla sedan carries over unchanged from last year
Pros Comes with a long list of standard convenience and safety features Plenty of room inside, especially in the back Sport seats remain comfortable after hours of continuous driving
Cons Acceleration is slow, even for this class Most interior materials feel cheap Fuel economy isn't great Rivals achieve the same with more power A snooze to drive
Pros Responsive CVT Comfortable front seats Roomy backseat Touchscreen graphics quality Estimated gas mileage
Cons Ride quality Steering feel Droning sounds from CVT Modest power at highway speeds Some low-grade plastic interior trim No Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is a fun choice as a hatchback, but we’d skip the sedan in favor of its competitors.
Pros Entertaining hatchback Spacious hatchback Well-equipped hatchback Good safety gear The hatchback, period
Cons Outdated sedan CarPlay only on hatch CVT can drone Shop the competition
The Ford Focus stands out as the best driver’s car in the class, with handling that truly entertains. It's complemented by a fine ride that almost matches a Volkswagen Golf for comfort and passenger space very nearly on a par with the Skoda Octavia. It's mainly the iffy interior quality and slightly lacklustre performance that mark it down.
Pros Class-leading handling Supple ride Roomy rear seats
Cons Mediocre performance Golf is better equipped Octavia has a much bigger boot
Pros Appealing looks Value for money Still great to drive
CONS No electrified versions 1.0-litre petrol can feel strained Seating position won't satisfy everyone
