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Cons Outdated sedan CarPlay only on hatch CVT can drone Shop the competition
Toyota will likely position the Corolla Cross between the C-HR small SUV and RAV4 medium SUV, and of course given the name, it’ll sit in a triangular pocket between those two SUVS and as a wagon-alternative to the Corolla sedan and hatch. Key competitors will include small SUVs like the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Qashqai, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30 amongst others in the segment. Don’t expect to see the Corolla's head-up display. There’s no mention of it overseas, or premium audio for that matter with no mention of JBL-supplied audio as seen in other Toyota models.
In terms of size, the small crossover slots between the subcompact C-HR and the compact RAV4. Oddly enough, it bears little resemblance to the rest of the Corolla family. With sharp headlights and more rounded proportions than the RAV4, the design is pleasing, albeit conventional. Like the RAV4, the Corolla Cross is designed with practicality in mind. The automaker promises large door openings for easy entry and exit, an elevated driving position, and a spacious interior. Toyota is aiming for class-leading luggage space in the Thai market. Comfort and convenience features include a 9.0-inch touchscreen, a power moonroof, rear USB outlets, LED headlights and taillights, a foot-activated liftgate, and more.
