It first came to Ireland in 1973, and since then over 200,000 Irish families have driven a Corolla out of a Toyota showroom. Traditional saloon cars are under pressure though - mums these days are just as likely to buy a Crossover like the Nissan Qashqai, or a mini MPV like the Renault Scenic. So is the Corolla still relevant to Irish families? We took the new model for a spin to find out.
 
Let’s get one thing straight before we start; the Toyota Corollais not meant to be ‘cool’. It is a meat-and-two-veg family car that is popular because it is ridiculously reliable, easy to drive, and economical to run and maintain. Over the years it has taken the term ‘bland’ to previously unexplored extremes. The new model has really surprised us though – it is much more handsome, and easier on the eye than for example, the Ford Focus saloon or the Skoda Octavia. There's a noticeable improvement in styling. 
 
The Corolla’s key strength has always been the level of comfort it offers. It seats three fully grown teenagers in the rear, which most similarly sized cars don’t. The seats are some of the best on the market, and the car’s handling smoothes out bumps on the road as well as any other saloon. The boot will take a double buggy plus all of your shopping easily.
 
We spent a week in the Corolla, and loved how assured it felt on the road. The steering, clutch and gearbox are light and precise, and the controls are simple for a multitasking mum with a baby on board to recognise and reach. The dashboard is a slight bit dull, although it is as solidly built as ever. It is worth repeating that Toyota's are popular in Ireland because buyers are attracted by the build quality, simplicity and comfort. Mums should find this car easy to manage, allowing them to focus on the road. The Corolla functions equally well as a main family car or a 'second' car. 
 
While the 1.4 litre diesel engine is marginally noisier at slower speeds than petrol Corolla owners will be used to, it’s by no means unrefined. It is €500 more expensive to buy than the 1.33 litre petrol-engined version in ‘Aura’ trim, but it is well worth the investment. The diesel offers much better acceleration on the motorway, and is at least 30% more fuel efficient. At €190 a year to tax it is €80 cheaper than the petrol model. We reckon you will get around 460 miles from €50 diesel at today's prices with a mixture of town and country driving. On €50 in the petrol model you would likely travel about 350 miles depending on your journey type.
 
Toyota is not at the budget end of the market, so the Corolla is not the cheapest car of its size. The car pictured is the top spec ‘Luna’ diesel model, which is priced at €24,550. The entry level diesel ‘Terra’ version costs €21,995 but to get alloy wheels, Bluetooth and air conditioning, you must buy the mid spec ‘Aura’ model at €23,400. Petrol models are priced at €20,995 (Terra), €22,995 (Aura) and €23,890 (Luna). 
 
Is there loads of storage space?
It’s adequate. Some similar cars have deeper boots and that’s because so much of the Corolla’s space is given to passengers inside. Realistically though a family of five and their luggage for a week’s holidays should fit once nobody insists on bringing their entire shoe collection. Mums excluded of course...
 
Is it baby friendly?
That’s a definite yes. Because there’s so much space in the back it is easy to lift babies in and out, while the rear seats are fitted with ISOFIX mounts for two seats. Toyota’s child restraint system prevents a child seat tipping forward in an accident, and child seats from newborns upwards that are compatible with the Corolla's child seat mounts can be purchased from a Toyota dealer
 
Is parking easy?
Well...depends on what you consider easy. Drivers generally find saloons harder to park because it is harder to see out the rear window than in a mini-MPV for example, and gauging the length of the boot can be tough. The Corolla has large mirrors, but parking sensors cost extra on all grades. The top spec Luna model does come with a built in reversing camera though. 
 
What about safety?
Top marks! The Corolla has been awarded a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating including an 82% child safety score. 7 airbags, including rear curtain and driver’s knee airbags, come standard; while a system to stop a car rolling backwards on a hill (hill-start assist) is also fitted. Tyre pressure monitors alert you if any of the wheels need air.
 
Verdict
Thumbs Up
An ideal family saloon
Incredibly cheap to run
Strong safety features
Baby friendly
Much improved exterior design
 
Thumbs down
Other saloons offer better value
It’s a wee bit dull inside
 
Mummypages Ratings
Baby friendliness: 4.5/5
Safety: 5/5
Cool rating: 2.5/5 (sorry Toyota...eek!)
Passenger and storage space: 4/5
Car park friendliness: 3/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 22.5/30
 
Statistics (applicable in the Republic of Ireland):
Price (range starts / our test car) €20,995 / €24,550
Fuel Economy and tax: 72mpg / €190 per year
Warranty: 3 years, 100,000 kilometres
ISOFIX baby seat mounts: 2
Seats suitable for adults (excl driver): 4
Seats suitable for kids only: 0

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