Corolla’s a true compact contender

The roomier and more fuel efficient 2014 Toyota Corolla makes it a true contender in the compact sedan segment.

The redesigned Corolla has an aggressive appearance with a longer, lower, and wider stance. Our $19,510 tester painted in a brown sugar metallic looked sharp and was trimmed with Toyota's LE eco package.

The Corolla boasts a 35-miles-per-gallon average despite its slightly larger size. The eco package attaches drag reducing panels to the underbody and includes low-resistance 15-inch tires. A 1.8 liter, four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and is mated to a continuously variable transmission. These tweaks stepped our test Corolla's highway fuel economy up to 42 mpg.

The Corolla has an improved CV transmission that provided a smooth power transition when accelerating, unlike past versions of the CVT that have been anything but smooth. The sedan handled modestly and braking was solid. I found an adequate amount of power even with two adults and three children in the back.

I was surprised at how easily our three children with their boosters and backpacks fit in the back seats. I was even more surprised by the amount of space when I climbed in the back to photograph the interior. The sedan had an abundance of backseat foot- and leg-room for a compact. The Corolla's trunk space is limited, but the 60/40-split folding rear seats do provide some added capacity for moving large items.

I found the Corolla's 6.1-inch touch screen with a backup camera a useful size that didn't overwhelm the cockpit. A Bluetooth smartphone connection not only provided hands-free use of my phone, but also allowed me to play my music wirelessly through the sedan's audio system. Steering wheel-mounted controls also were included. Despite these features, the Corolla's interior had a spartan feel.

Toyota starts the Corolla out at $16,800 and does offer a manual transmission. Heated and power adjustable front seats can be found on the LE Premium edition. The Corolla's roomy back seat and fuel economy do give it a slight edge within the compact sedan market and it's definitely worth a look when considering a Camry. Other cars to consider are the Chevy Cruze, Honda Civic, Ford Focus or Kia Forte.

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