What's Wrong With This Picture: 2011 Corolla Gets Nosy Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

With strong new C-segment competition coming in the form of the Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus, upcoming refreshes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla seem to be taking a low-key approach to the extroverted upstarts. Are the kings of the compact class resting on their laurels? Can they afford to coast on reputation alone? History tells us that complacence leads to trouble in this industry…




Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 106 comments
  • Bodegabob Bodegabob on Nov 17, 2010

    I could make an argument that people have died due to the same sort of complacency that makes this car a less-than-stunning competitor in its segment. The same sort of cost-cutting and blind-eye towards quality attitude that caused the whole throttle-mechanism fiasco is visible in 3D all around me when I sit in any post-97 Toyota. I look at this revision of the Corolla and think that Toyota has been trading on their name in this country for the last 15 years or so. It's a little too bland to be ugly, and a little too cohesive to be called crap. But only just. And yes, a lot of people buy them and they are all most people need or want. But they said the same about the Olds Cutlass back in the 1980's. Remember Oldsmobile?

  • Tyler Armstrong Tyler Armstrong on Nov 18, 2010

    Okay, I confess. I drive a 2008 Toyota Corolla S (previous generation). As a full-time student who commutes 60 miles each day, I need something that is reliable and fuel-efficient (after driving a 1992 Jeep Cherokee that leaked oil like crazy and got 14mpg). It is boring and 2nd gear (Auto) is sluggish, but at least the interior is a grade better than this generation. There is chrome-accented window vent adjusters, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, and (gasp!) soft-touch plastic on the doors. The refreshed front reminds me of a busy previous-gen. Mazda 6 and the chrome strip on the trunk lid looks out of place. I do like the new radio and lower bumper skirt that is blacked out (looked like "Bangle Butt" extreme before). Ah well, give me six more months and I'll be ready to trade in old reliable for new fun!

  • Kwik_Shift Brands that were considered from China include BYD, Dayun, Great Wall Motors, Maxus, Nio, Omoda/Chery, Seres, XPeng, and Zeekr. KG Mobility from South Korea also made the list of candidates.That's a lot of car companies from there ready to head here.
  • Analoggrotto Clean sweep and unanimous victory for the world affluence engine of 22nd century : Hyundai/Kia/Genesis. Toyota and Lexus, for 120 years of history have not been able to capture the zenith superlative status of Hyundai Motor Corporation the most awarded, decorated and revered automotive corporation in the history of historical. Featuring best ever, first ever and greatest ever e-ATPs the Hyundai Genesis Kia lineup is posed to become the envy of every country club, ivy league college and fortune 500 corporation in the world. I've been taking a roadtrip in my loaner Elantra N, visiting colleges from east to west, elite universities of higher learning to inspect their parking lots. WHat did I find? Leagues of Genesis models, outnumbering Lexus 3 to 1. When I interviewed faculty and staff at these places of greater learning, their response was unanimous : they chose HMC for the ATPs.
  • Mikey 2019 Chevy Impala Premier FWD with 20 inch factory Bridgestones. I'm looking at replacing tires at the 65,000 KLM's (40,000 miles ) mark ....It doesn't thrill me .. I'm pricing Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires ouch !! ..Up here in Canuckastan ....Big $$$$$
  • ToolGuy Honda was robbed.
  • ToolGuy "Honey, someone is trying to cross the moat again"
Next