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car review

2015 Toyota Corolla with optional black alloy wheels for 50th Anniversary Edition

A Toyota Corolla is not a car that gets many people excited, but my 2015 tester evidently did it for a young construction worker who saw this one as I was filling the tank at the end of a week behind the wheel. I've never heard anyone go on so long about how much they like a Corolla's looks. I could understand that if the subject was one of the 1980s-era rear-drive "AE86" models that have become beloved by the drift racing crowd, but a modern Corolla? Not so much. (Overall score: 6.7)

Walkaround

Here's the thing, though. For 2015, Toyota has added a special 50th Anniversary Edition package that builds on the S trim level and adds black alloy wheels that contrast nicely with my tester's red paint, and red stitching on the black seat fabric. These are not details one normally sees on a Corolla (at least not one that hasn't been treated to some aftermarket modifications) and for a factory treatment on a mainstream car, it's a sharp-looking setup. (Score: 7.3)

Interior

That red stitching trims comfortable seats in a usefully spacious cabin; note that the S model is the only one that can be had with both a manual transmission and heated front seats; the other trim with bum warmers, the LE, is an automatic-only proposition.

A clean dash layout gives the budget-minded Corolla a class-above look, though the faux-stitched dash-top is the only material that really stands out.

Ostensibly, the 'S' trim denotes this as the sportiest Corolla variant, and to that end it trades the standard gauge cluster with its big central speedometer for one with side-by-side speed and rev-counter gauges, a nod to this trim being aimed at drivers who want to be more involved in their experience. (Score: 7.1)

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Tech

Bluetooth and streaming audio are standard here, but this is a relatively basic car with few tech goodies. Navigation is an option in the S and LE Eco models. All Corollas get LED headlights, a nice touch at this price. (Score: 6.4)

Driving

S may stand for sport, but that denotation doesn't do much to expand the car's performance envelope. The 1.8-litre engine's 132 horsepower isn't much more than you got in Corollas a decade ago, and much of the 128 lb-ft of torque lives in the upper-middle section of the engine's rev range.

On one hand, the manual transmission makes it more fun to go get that power; on the other, it takes a bit of practice to drive this one smoothly. Throttle response is abrupt and the clutch doesn't bite until the pedal is well off the floor, so be prepared to pull off some unintentionally aggressive launches the first few times you drive the car.

The shifter itself is a nice one to use, and tall gearing limits engine speed to a low 2,000 rpm in sixth gear at 100 km/h. At highway speeds, the loudest sound in the cabin was the roar of the winter tires on my test car. On a cross-town freeway drive, my wife said she wished we were taking this little sedan on one of our epic summer road trips, and I agreed: there's a planted, grown-up feel to the chassis that was missing from the previous-generation car.

Fuel economy is a major Corolla selling point. The thriftiest model is the LE Eco trim (which, oddly, is also more powerful, boasting an extra 10 horsepower and a touch more torque), with its consumption estimates of 7.7/5.6 L/100 km (city/hwy); the S with manual transmission is rated 8.3/6.2, and my tester split the difference by averaging 7.7 L/100 km in a mix of city and highway driving. (Score : 6.6)

Value

It's always hard to justify a compact car that costs more than $20,000 without adding any serious performance, in the manner of a Honda Civic Si or Ford Focus ST. Granted, the Corolla doesn't pretend to be the performers those cars are, but for not a lot more cash than this car's $21,750 MSRP you could move up to an entry-level mid-sizer like Toyota's own Camry or the Honda Accord. If what you're after is a manual transmission in a well-equipped sedan (something that's getting hard to find), the Accord is one of a few mid-sizers that offers one; price-wise, I might consider going that route here, even if the Corolla does boast a few extra convenience features in my top-end 50th Anniversary tester. (Score 6.2)

Conclusion

Not that long ago, the Corolla was a responsible choice, a car you bought because your frugal uncle told you its reliability and resale value would pay off in the long run. Those characteristics remain, but Toyota has added some character and emotional appeal with this nicely-dressed 50th Anniversary edition that turn this compact into a wise choice you won't mind making.

Autofocus.ca is a Canadian automotive website dedicated to making car shopping easier and driving more fun. Follow Autofocus on Facebook and Twitter.

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