Toyota Corolla review

If you wanted a GR Corolla and were told “we have a Corolla at home", this is the Corolla at home, particularly in terms of driving dynamics. It’s not undrivable, it’s not even miserable, but it also lacks any particularly standout abilities like being swift in lieu of powerful. Sadly it isn’t, though you can almost feel a sliver of potential, as it does feel almost taught enough for at least some amusement, but it doesn’t deliver when pressed.

Since we mentioned the GR, the mild-mannered Corolla’s lack of spunk is all the more disappointing given that car’s fantastic abilities. To be sure, there was zero expectation that it would even come close, but we were hoping to feel some familiarity here. Take the Corolla hatchback, for example. It's not nearly as good as the GR or as quick but it’s at least fun in its own right.

Same with the Hybrid?

Indeed. The addition of some AWD functionality is more of a safety and convenience thing than one of performance, which we’re definitely on board with, there’s just not much to expect in the fun department. Toyota’s hybrid tech is quite solid and does its job not only well, but also unobtrusively. The system will stretch out the miles without the need for driver input, though there are some eco modes that can be implemented to really push it.

Forget that for a moment. How is it as a daily?

As a daily driver, it remains aggressively just okay. You can cruise along, secure in all its active and passive safety features, and that just about all the bases are covered. There’s nothing about the Corolla that either gets in the way of what needs doing, nor does it particularly spice things up.

Like a well-worn boot, it will do the job and return the care you give it with interest. You’ll likely look back and remember the Corolla as the most dependable car you’ve ever owned. If you remember it at all.