2019 Corolla Hatchback

[kimona]

^^^ Decent review. Motor, transmission, acceleration, ride quality, and fuel consumption are reasonably impressive. The new CVT sounds much more agreeable than the miserable CVT it replaces. Can't say I'm a big fan of that tall touchscreen display sitting atop the dash... which is fast becoming a trend. Cargo space seems really tight with the load floor being so high! Exterior styling is not as hideous as most recent Toyota models, though I could do without that stupid looking rear spoiler. And, $395 for that wretched blizzard pearl paint? Wonder what other colours will be available?

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by kimona

^^^ Decent review. Motor, transmission, acceleration, ride quality, and fuel consumption are reasonably impressive. The new CVT sounds much more agreeable than the miserable CVT it replaces. Can't say I'm a big fan of that tall touchscreen display sitting atop the dash... which is fast becoming a trend. Cargo space seems really tight with the load floor being so high! Exterior styling is not as hideous as most recent Toyota models, though I could do without that stupid looking rear spoiler. And, $395 for that wretched blizzard pearl paint? Wonder what other colours will be available?

I'm pretty much on the same page as you.

The new combo port+direct inject engine is perfect, and eliminates the carbon deposit problems of automakers foolishly using straight GDI engine designs. Likewise, the CVT w/launch gear pretty much eliminates the primary problems with CVT's - namely all the stress put on a traditional CVT system during initial get-up-and-go (especially if you have a heavy foot), and the accompanying crappy rubbery feel of the belts during that time. Very innovative of Toyota on both accounts.

Main dislikes:
- Fish-face iA-clone front grill styling, made even worse by the weird headlight shape. The chrome trim framing grill on XSE just pours salt on the ugly wound.
- Tacky looking chrome, fake dual-exhaust ports on rear bumper. Toyota should have kept the nice, classy exhaust setup as iM had (hidden muffler, and nice single exhaust pipe with OEM SS exhaust tip.
- Clumsy-looking, distracting tablet touchscreen shooting up from main dash.
- Didn't stick with balanced 17" wheels & 45 series tires (like iM) on either trim. You can either go with (slightly too large) 18" wheels & uncomfortable 40 series tires (XSE), or go with too-small (for that car) 16" wheels on the 55 series tires (SE). Both the 18" & 16" wheels have a nice design, but should have both been 17" with those same designs to differentiate models.
- Rear hatch has a bit too much slope to it in its attempt to look aggressive, at the expense of cargo space. My little Yaris probably has more space back there, lol.
- Lackluster and/or unattractive (to me) color options. Black or bust I guess. A dark/slate blue would have been nice, or a nice darker graphite color. Brown Sugar Metallic would have been nicer than that weird looking bronze-brown color they have.