FAMILY ASSORTMENT: SMALL HATCH
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Toyota Corolla Conquest (auto)
Specifications for Toyota Corolla Conquest (auto) here
For many, the word Corolla is a generic descriptor for small car. And that's understandable given the diminutive Toyota's been a big player on the world automotive stage for close to 45 years. According to Toyota, on average, one Corolla has been sold somewhere in the world every 40 seconds over the past 40-plus years. And across 10 model generations it's played a huge part in building not just Toyota's, but the Japanese motor industry's reputation for quality and efficiency.
There's no doubt that reputation was shaken by high-profile product recalls early this year. In Australia, however, the Corolla was unaffected by the recall and is currently snapping closely at the heels of the small segment leading Mazda3, with the increasing popularity of Hyundai's superstar i30 continuing to apply pressure from behind in third place.
At just over 4.2 metres long the current Corolla is compact, but the model hasn't been genuinely small for some time. Over successive generations its dimensions have crept up, and it's interesting to note the pint-sized Yaris Light car (the entry-point to Toyota's range) shares its 3.8 metre overall length with the original Corolla of 1966.
The Corolla's available as a sedan or hatch, and 'our' test car was a four-speed automatic version of the Conquest hatch. The Conquest grade sits near the middle of the Corolla lineup above the entry model Ascent and below the premium Levins (SX and ZR) and range-topping Ultima. And at around $26,500 it features a healthy standard equipment list, including air-conditioning, electric windows, six-speaker MP3 compatible stereo (with six-disc, in-dash CD changer), remote central-locking, 16-inch alloy wheels and cruise control.
The Corolla's 1.8-litre, four cylinder engine features variable valve timing to optimise fuel efficiency and boost performance across the rev range. And a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission is offered. It's rated at 100kW and 175Nm -- middle of the road for the segment. Fuel economy for the auto version is 7.4L/100km. The six-speed manual is 0.1L/100km more economical.
The luxury-spec Ultima (sedan only) features a dedicated 2.0-litre (102kW) engine/four-speed auto combination.
The Toyota boasts an impressive list of safety-related acronyms and abbreviations. Some describing active features designed to help you avoid a crash. And others relating to passive features to help keep injury to a minimum if an impact is unavoidable. Everything from stability and traction Control and antilock brakes, to front seats designed to minimise whiplash injury on impact, pre-tensioning and force limiting seatbelts, and an impressive array of airbags.
ON THE ROAD
The Corolla scored major points straight out of the box on comfort and space, surprising everyone (front and rear occupants alike) with the amount of leg, head and shoulder room on offer in such a compact car.
Once underway it scored again for its "smooth" four-speed auto, with the gearshift location high on the centre console capturing universal praise. However, with five onboard acceleration was considered average only. Andrew Coffey thought performance was "doughy", with Anne Cleary declaring: "It's a bit coarse, and certainly not a powerhouse when full of passengers".
Ride comfort was alternately described as "okay only", "harsh" and "a bit stiff", while the Corolla's "great turning circle", "just right" steering and "good visibility" were winners, with the small front quarter windows near each exterior mirror coming in for special mention.
Will Thomas also liked the rear windows, noting: "The electric windows are nice, and go all the way down, which is good. I can see out". And while he was at it, gave a bouquet to rear seatbelts that "didn't chop [his] neck off".
On ease of use Di Thomas remarked she "could use the radio on the first try", and liked the "pump up driver's seat" height adjustment.
And on the subject of seats, the Coffeys found the fronts to be "firm"; Di and Ian Thomas settled on "firm, but comfortable enough", and the Clearys split the difference with "firm and supportive".
With three year-old twins, the Cleary clan comes complete with two child seats, and it's worth noting the Corolla offers anchor points for three restraints across the back. That said, nine year-old Rachel Cleary found sitting next to the two kids seats in the back "a bit squishy".
And the squishy theme continues in the cargo space, where with rear seat up loading in a regular, full-size pram isn't realist, although a stroller and other odds and ends isn't a problem.
Four-wheel disc brakes and antilock brakes as standard means the Corolla has plenty of stopping power. Although Ian Thomas thought their performance "adequate", Andrew Coffey described their feel as "soft" and spongy", while Anne Cleary marked them down as "touchy".
Things took a negative turn on exterior design, with the Coffey's noting a lack of "Wow factor" -- Kim in particular marking it down as "Nana's shopping vehicle". The Thomas family declared it, "Not sexy, but fit for purpose".
Random notes:
Elise Cleary liked the steering wheel (which in the Conquest happens to be the premium, leather bound version with audio controls)
Andrew Coffey thought the plastic center console would scratch easily
Ian Thomas found it difficult to see out of the corners for reverse parking
The writer thought the instruments were hard to read in daylight hours -- although they're clear as a bell once illuminated.
Summary:
Not the sexiest car in the world, but a surprisingly valid and cost-effective family transport option thanks to impressive space-efficiency. Ease of use is a forte, while performance (especially five up) isn't. Probably at its limit once the kids start to push into the 'tweens'.
Read more about our families' car of choice here
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