Toyota - Corolla CE (04)

What I Say: When was the last time in past let's say decade that anything from Toyota was seen as anything more than a cart to go in. If you said Prius, then you are not only wrong but an idiot as well. Now admittedly I am completely biased against vehicles that fall into the simple transportation category, but the Corolla (especially the CE) is little more than a less fun golf cart minus the space for a cooler. I mean the original Beetle was a people mover but it had style. The Corolla is a box with wheels that passes US Highway safety and emissions standards. Is it good for what it is? I guess in the same way that rice cakes fill you up.

Vehicle Overview
Few cars have a heritage as long as Toyota’s popular compact sedan, which has been on the U.S. market since 1966. More than 25 million Corollas have been sold worldwide, which makes it the best-selling passenger car of all time.

Last year’s redesign of the front-wheel-drive sedan was modest but meaningful. Engine output increased by 5 horsepower, and a new, low-restriction catalytic converter went into the exhaust system. The car grew a little. Its steering was claimed to be more responsive and linear, and its braking more precise. A higher hip point was supposed to ease entry into the vehicle, and the front seats moved farther apart.

Exterior
The styling changes for 2003 were less than dramatic, despite the car’s increased dimensions. The Corolla rides a 102.4-inch wheelbase and measures 178.3 inches long overall.



Interior
Five people fit inside the Corolla, which features cloth upholstery and a 60/40-split rear seat. Cargo volume totals 13.6 cubic feet.

Standard equipment in the CE model includes air conditioning with a clean-air filter, power mirrors, a tilt steering column, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, an outside temperature gauge and a CD stereo system.

Under the Hood

A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT-i) generates 130 hp. Either a four-speed-automatic or five-speed-manual transmission can be installed.

Safety
Seat-mounted side-impact airbags and antilock brakes are optional. Daytime running lights are standard. Dual-stage front airbags have an extra-low deployment level for drivers who sit close to the steering wheel.

Driving Impressions
The Corolla delivers a satisfying blend of fuel economy, refinement and reliability. The Corolla imparts a feeling of solidity and confidence that belies its size.

The Corolla’s performance might not stir many emotions, but the 2004 sedan is adequate for ordinary driving. Acceleration is a trifle slow at start-up, but the automatic-transmission model quickly picks up the pace.