regfootball

anything is better than the the CRV crap recreational vehicle. Honda sells em like hotcakes and they are to me the epitome of days gone by milquetoast I give Toyota for trying to evolve the RAV4.

X1 is a car, huh?

the reason some of these subcompacts don't get the mpg you'd think compared to larger cars is primarily two reasons, one being they have smaller engines that work harder, but the main reason is the aerdynamics of a short stubby and comparably tall vehicle are not good in comparison to a long low wide flowing teardrop shape like say, many mid size sedans.

I think Toyota made good strides on the exterior design with this model. When I sat in it at the auto show though, I was repulsed by the cheapness of a lot of it. It's gotta be an improvement over the current CRv though. I drove the CRV at the ford ecoboost ride and drive and that is nothing but junk. It feels straight out of 1999 or something and is tinny and noisy and plasticky and uncomfortable.

i drove the Fiesta ST at the Ford Ecoboost drive a couple weekends ago, it's a peach. But it is pricier than the base versions. To me, in this class of vehicle, it is important to determine if you are willing to pay the price premium for an automatic tranny. Because the auto equipped ones tend to add a lot of price to them. For example, the chevy dealer i visited yesterday had a new Sonic for 13,999. The automatic ones quite a bit more. Lots of the options like cruise and power windows also jack up the prices to almost the same the compact class. For a good part of last year, the dealer group I used to work for had Focus and Fiestas at prices pretty close to one other. Ford was really discounting the Focus. A car like the current Mazda3 while on its last leg may be selling at super discounts with the new one coming out. A Mazda3 with discounts compared to a subcompact which is not discounted much seems like a no brainer. I can't get excited about the Sonic, although I have not driven one yet. I am for a subcompact it is good but at some point the extra girth of a compact class car doesn't seem that far away in price.

Touched a new 2014 today. Saw two of them on the interstate one day this week also. The new front end, in pictures does not look like it would effect much change. But in person, and seeing it in motion, it makes a huge difference in the look of the car. Well done. Through the glass, the interior changes look nice as well. The new console has a little more of a sport sedan flavor and it is very distinct from the laid back Impala. The narrowing of the front seats is noticeable visually inside the car for more leg room. But it still looks tight and the major flaw with seat mounts on the floor not getting fixed still seems half assed. Didn't drive one, want to wait to try the stop/start on the 2.5. New front really looks fetching.

if you have itunes, rip your cd's to your itunes library and then get itunes match, then your entire cd library is available on your phone via stream. then you can send the audio bluetooth wireless via cue. No fumbling with cd's. I admit, i do still prefer cd's as an original source and would still want one in my car.

they concentrate on making it legible and having good backlighting. the reconfigurable cluster makes you want to pay more to upgrade, which is the whole deal with luxury cars.

Too bad "Josh" was not still on this board.....wait, he cracked his up.....

rather surprising to hear, it seems on the surface like the new one is actually improved over past ones. With Toyota's though, they are all so milquetoast. Maybe he should have got the LaCrosse!

my 2010 5 speed manual Cobalt with about 50k has not had that problem....yet......but my damn power window switch...... anyone want to buy a 2010 cobalt let me know.

magic ice or something like that will really gloss it up. we used that at the auto shows.

the 18" on the V is because the wheels improve performance. I read that on one of the web tests. Much lighter and helps with handling, and more compatible with the tire design. The 19" are for bling.

That's like picking the scab open after letting it heal for a long time! Pontiac was more of a clash to the Chevy brand. And Pontiac's image was such that they could not support the prices Buick could, oddly. Think of the Verano. Think of the absurdly high prices those get. No way a G6 or Grand Am gets that $$$$$ at retail.

The Avalon has held a strong position in the market for what, like 20 years? This version only strengthens it. I can imagine the mentality of some Toyo intenders is that they would like a nice car and don't want any of the snobbery of the Lexus pit to deal with.

Toyota is doing a good job hacking up the Camry to create a market to sustain the Avalon. People who want a nice car will spend the money to upgrade. It also seems like that is a little like the Impala / Malibu setup, but the Malibu is even pretty decent compared to the Camry. Seen a lot of new Avalons, it is selling well. I do like the dashboard. I think we really are in the era where you will get similar size cars but if you want the nice car, it will be more than an option package upgrade, it will be a complete different model.

gee, get an apple device with Apple OS and apple software and it all just works without fuss.

need time to add all the steel to make the car safe

it's strangely unflashy in this car, but it actually is pretty effective and simple and well lit.

"We've got a brand new front end design that people think is not attractive! So we better fix it before we build a bunch more!"

I would imagine the Kia Forte is much nicer than the Corolla too, now.

A friend said they looked like Hello Kitty icons.....

he will probably be giddy at the new one. just make sure he drives nothing else in comparison......

A week later I finally get to finish this. Hope I did not forget too much..... Tested 2014 Toyota Corolla LE Eco Automatic (20? +/- MSRP) HIGHS Corolla is improved in style, inside and out Some style cues tie in with the rest of Toyota's newest products CVT trans with stepped programming is executed to a superior level, no 'drone' Fuel efficiency Car retains and large size and features increased room and space Good car for the daily commute Large trunk Fairly decent acceleration for 130hp on tap, more spunk than you'd think Nice radio and climate control layout Some interesting surfaces and detailing inside Attractive instrument panel Car has a sporty presence compared to many other Toyota products All things considered, good value for the money LOWS Still has a bit of a small car ride Steering a bit dull and slow Car still feels a bit short of bank vault solid, does not graduate from old school compact car feel totally. Rear seat room is not enlarged as much as the numbers say TERRIBLE drivers seat. Narrow, shaped badly, thin, chintzy padding. Engine that works hard lets you know that aurally when you ask a lot of it Small mirrors Cabin does not feel particularly airy Too much road noise and tinny sound in cabin, engine is buzzy and needs an update driver ergonomics and dash relationship is a bit off if you like the driver oriented interiors of the Cruze and Focus. Falls short of too many other cars in the class for road manners and noise abatement. Would still be rated behind too many other cars in the segment. SUMMARY "Automotive death on four wheels, with a new funeral suit, and a larger, more spacious casket" ? Not exactly, that's really a bit harsh. One has to have proper perspective when reviewing the new Corolla. First of all, the old Corolla was very dated. This new one is very much a big upgrade, but not so much that it transcends it into the hot group. What it does do is bring the Toyota current and relevant again. Toyota really is trying to do exactly what is being done with the Sentra. It's an economical commuter pod with good space and it makes the most of a paltry engine to create a minimum fuss commuter vehicle. It will be very evident if you drive even a Cruze LT vs. this car that the Cruze is much more buttoned down. But Toyota (and Nissan) have realized that so many of the buyers (especially the repeat Japanese brand buyers) have no concern or much less any ability to judge how excellent any new car really is. For a repeat Toyota customer, this car is greatly improved and a huge upgrade. Really, the Sentra and Corolla are just satisfying the basics. And they will sell hundreds of thousands of them. The Corolla has a semblance of a sporty feel now, especially compared to the Sentra. The interesting interior and faux sportiness of it should create interest in the market for it, in addition to the newly improved mpg with the really good CVT. I was skeptical about the stepped CVT operation, but it really did seem quite transparent and effective to me, as I have driven many CVT cars. It really makes great use of the paltry engine and it is very smooth in operation. CVT detractors, they are here to stay. In the end, to me there are just too many other superior vehicles in the class. But I only know that because I drive the other vehicles. If you hadn't driven the other vehicles, you'd be giddy because this new Corolla is much improved over the last one. the buff books have been a bit hard on this car, because it really is fairly innocent, and it has SOME character now. I wouldn't buy one, but I can't fault others that do. Toyota obviously knows what it is doing, they easily clerk several hundred thousand of these a year. I can't recall what I gave the Sentra for a letter grade, but I would probably give this car the same and say it is just a bit more interesting than the Sentra. Innocent little commuter pods. B or B+. At least your airport rental won't be complete torture for the next few years.

Attended the Ford sponsored EcoBoost Challenge today (merely a couple miles from home). These canned track / test drive events are usually pretty cheesy, and this was no exception, ST cars not withstanding. Since all you get either way in these cars is about a minute of time, there is not much to expound upon, but some things stick in your head. Hybrid Challenge- The trick was either take the Fusion Hybird or CMax hybrid and see what your best average mpg would be. Sort of a dumb concept, its a short loop course which you can't get up to speed to really put to use hypermile techniques. I ended up in a Fusion and I like the car. From what I could tell, it seemed smooth. I did not like the Ford person who was with in the car. Fusion is a very good car. EcoBoost Challenge- Camry v6 vs. Fusion 2.0t no one wanted to drive the Camry, they practically had to beg people to drive it. camry feels like 2004 to me. Cheap, cobbled together interior, didn't feel too solid overall. steering didn't offer much. v6 is gutsy, but not as much pull as the Fusion. Fusion feels substantial and overall way nicer. Interior a bit cheap still, and some turbo lag. I still think the Fusion is the car that hits the mark for most in the midsize class in America. CRv vs. Escape 2.0t CRV didn't get much love either. To me, the CRv feels like a toy car. It still feels like a 1990's Honda. they haven't evolved the feel of their metal. Complete fail. Seriously. Escape is far nicer, even despite the cheap in some places interior (that is a knee knocker). Escape is tight for a crossover. 2014 Chevy Silverado vs. Ford Ecoboost v6 F150 This is a close call. For me, I may take the Ford. Silverado is cushy, no doubt about it, the Silverado is smooth and a refined piece. Super quiet and comfortable. Feels like it will rev forever. But, slow steering and soft in corners. Yes, it is a truck. EcoBoost v6 has nice nuts, feels faster off the line than the Chevy v8. F150 is louder inside and maybe a bit short on cush. But the F150 handling and ride is more for someone who is used to cars. If Ford can quiet and cush the interior.....Chevy has a large, dominant hood. Chevy's new interior design is an interesting theme, but overall like the Ford (and all trucks) the interior is cheap and tacky and slapped together. I so no reason to diss either truck. It is really the case of you are a Chevy fan or a Ford fan. If you want a puff cruiser, the Chevy is your truck. The Ram is a good truck too. There is a reason the US mfr's dominate trucks. ST Challenge timed laps in the Focus ST and Fiesta ST The Fiesta ST is a spry guy and a boatload of fun. A quality ride all around. Feels quite a bit less size than the Focus. I don't care much for the new dash on the Fiesta, it's forced. The Focus felt more mature and I really liked the car. It's not often you get to drive cars with summer rubber and that can run a track. Both cars feel like peas in a pod, just that the Fiesta feels like 3/4-7/8 the size. The steering is really great and I liked the Recaros (on the Focus mostly). Focus ST would be an awesome daily driver. In the FWIW department, I feel the Malibu (especially the turbo) lays waste to the Camry as well. GM does not really have anything to go toe to toe with the ST Focus and Fiesta. A verano 3 door OPC would be balls up.