2008 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has the distinction of being the highest total sales vehicle in the world's history. That's right; over 30 million Corollas' have been bought over the years. Last year about 390,000 were sold in the U.S. alone with world sales almost reaching a million. For 2008, Toyota has provides us with a totally new model.

The new Corolla takes on the family persona of other Toyota sedans. It looks like a smaller version of a Camry from the front...no accident. The lines are classic and stylish. Corolla owners will be proud to show off their new compact sedan. Toyota has deftly styled the new Corolla and comfortably positioned it between the smaller Yaris and the larger Camry.

The new Corolla is slightly larger than the former model. The interior space reshaped a bit to give the vehicle a broader feel. The dashboard is simple, easy to decipher and contains all the necessary controls. A navigation system is now offered on the Corolla along with an upgraded audio system. NVH has been improved delivering an interior that is more completely isolated from the din of the outside world. Leather seats are also available as well as a manual tilt/telescope steering column. The trunk is roomy and the fold down rear seat backs serve to significantly expand the interior usability of the vehicle.

The road dynamics for the corolla have also improved. Previous models were sometimes a touch choppy, but the new model balances a soft compliant ride with good handling. The new Corolla again is offered with a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine but this 1.8 is totally new and has 132 hp and 128 foot pounds of torque. It is offered with either a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual transmission. According to the new 2008 EPA rating system, the new Corolla get 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined for both transmissions.

This is about the same as last year's model. On the XRS sport models, the larger 2.4 liter 4 cylinder is borrowed from the Camry and the Scion TC and mated with either a 5 speed manual or a 5 speed automatic transmission.

There is a 20% fuel economy penalty with the larger engine but it adds an extra dimension of power and smoothness to the vehicle.

Toyota has also included a full suite of safety gear on the Corolla.

Systems include ABS antilock brakes, EBD brake force distribution, BA brake assist which boost brake pressure in a panic stop, stability control and tractions control. Add to that front, side and side curtain airbags and you get a compact sedan with superior safety capabilities.

In all, I really like the new Corolla. The largest groups of buyers of this vehicle are young couples and senior couples. Both want the same things in a car. Safety, economy, reliability, comfort and good value. Corolla delivers on all those things.