In relation to entry-level fanatic vehicles that will comfortably pull double-duty for commuting and loading up with buddies on the weekend, the obvious choice is usually a Honda Civic. The Corolla is usually for sensible those that want one factor with Toyota’s relentless effectivity, value, and reputation for reliability. The latest Corolla narrows the opening on the Civic when it comes to driving dynamics and spawned the Apex Model. Don’t contemplate it as Toyota’s reply to the Honda Civic Si, although it does embrace a sport-tuned suspension, a sport-tuned (louder) exhaust, Apex wheels, and the choice of a information transmission with automated rev-matching know-how.
As a substitute, the Corolla Apex Model is inexpensive, a lot much less refined, and comes with the same old 169 horsepower of the Corolla in every SE and XSE foundation trim ranges. A Civic Si will worth you $28,100 to get into, whereas a Corolla Apex Model begins at $25,960. Don’t write the Apex Model off, though, should you occur to’re in quest of a pleasurable day-to-day driver. We found it pretty entertaining, low price to run, and as wise as a Corolla. Nonetheless, it is miles from glorious.
Styling: Sporty Corolla
The Corolla’s styling just isn’t for everyone with its sloped entrance and rear end, nonetheless should you occur to desire it, the lower stance and additional sharp black trim should enchantment. There’s not rather a lot occurring to help aerodynamics, though, other than the strange-looking little spoiler. The Apex wheels are an selection on all the Corolla fashions for a further $800, nonetheless they’re regular on the Apex model. We like that the styling just isn’t extreme, nonetheless the large Apex badge on the once more in an odd font feels desire it was caught on as an afterthought, which is a shame as a result of the Apex title goes once more to the legendary AE86 model from the Nineteen Eighties and deserves a bit additional care and a highlight.
Powertrain: We Didn’t Rely on Auto Rev-Matching
The Corolla SE and XSE’s engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder lump making 169 hp at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It’s no pocket rocket, nonetheless utterly acceptable for a commuter car and surprisingly pleasurable to wring out with a information transmission. The alternative selection is a CVT, nonetheless the model we had been despatched was the information. The zero to 60 mph time is someplace north of six seconds, so it isn’t a guests gentle racer. The big revenue is that the EPA-estimated rating for the CVT optioned model is 34 mpg blended and 31 mpg blended for the information. It positively sips gasoline, even should you’re wringing it out to redline. On the same time, though, the engine buzzes fairly than barks or roars.
The transmission is gentle, every inside the clutch and the prolonged throw. It is usually crazy easy to drive, and you could prepare any person in an hour or so to drive a information with it. The auto rev-matching must be chosen each time you start the auto, so Toyota just isn’t nannying new drivers proper right here. In guests, we like it as it could help make that clutch final extra with out having to be a heel-toe-hero in guests day by day.
On The Road: Too Stiff
Journey top quality over an bizarre Corolla is diminished by the harsher suspension, which seems like an aftermarket suspension fairly than an OE one. Youthful followers might relish it, nonetheless the passengers won’t. Not that it’s rock onerous, it isn’t; it merely wouldn’t have any sophistication in its compliance over bumps. Nonetheless, it’s designed for spirited driving on curvy roads and does the job of conserving the chassis flat and the wheels in full contact with the tarmac correctly. The tuning is pretty good and presents the Corolla upgraded agility and directness inside the steering.
Whereas sporty, it feels protected to push more durable than a standard Corolla, and the grippier tires allow you to acknowledge sooner than they start the slide into understeer. The dearth of power to make up for finesse means you’ll ought to discover out about sustaining momentum by corners to get basically probably the most out of the Apex Model, which isn’t a foul issue. In that respect, the title is apt. It’s really no observe weapon, though.
Spherical metropolis, it’s the equivalent as one other Corolla nonetheless with additional bumps. As soon as extra, that’s not a foul issue. It may merge into guests merely and likes to get barely hustle on.
Inside: Further Corolla
The within of the Corolla is major, cosy, and constructed to closing, and that goes for the Apex Model. The seats are major nonetheless cosy, although they don’t help maintain our our bodies in place when cornering. The tech is correctly chosen for the value differ, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto efficiency comes regular with the eight-inch touchscreen. The underlying infotainment system just isn’t one thing specific, nonetheless it is easy and quick, and the buyer interface is logically laid out. Space inside the once more is suitable for a couple of children or adults on shorter runs, and cargo space is sweet for a weekly two-person grocery run.
Verdict: Satisfying, Nonetheless May Do Larger
Put merely, for the money we would save for the Civic Si. The Apex Model is pleasurable nonetheless feels half-hearted inside the suspension division. It seems like a car borrowed from a neighbor’s little one with low price aftermarket shocks caught on it. The information transmission is sweet for a first-timer, auto rev-matching is a nice bonus, and wringing the engine out is pleasurable. Nonetheless, the engine is hard to get a thrill out of, and the tuned exhaust sounds no utterly completely different from contained within the car. On prime of that, the Apex Model is proscribed, nonetheless no particular person will probably be excited seeing one on the road. Whereas we’d not stop anyone from purchasing for one, we’d not blame a youthful fanatic for skipping it to buy a used Corolla and hitting the aftermarket to find a better final result for a lot much less.
Whereas we don’t rely on the Apex Model to be a halfway dwelling to the model new GR Corolla, we rely on additional from a status that has an icon hooked as much as it.