2017 Corolla LE Rental

[mclasser]

I had a rental '17 Corolla LE w/35k miles for a few days. The CVT actually wasn't that bad. It was buzzy when I really got on the gas but the performance was smooth. The engine was no speed demon but it got up to speed on the highway without much drama. The ride was on the softer side, as is typical for Toyota, but it took the bumps nicely. The electric PS felt different than the one in my Elantra; it was heavy and notchy at slow speeds in the parking lot and behaved much like a hydraulic unit. NVH, sans the buzzy CVT, was minimal. I heard some tire noise from the cheapo Chinese tires the rental company slapped on.

Interior features, especially the standard Toyota Sensing, worked flawlessly. The radar cruise control could be set to 1, 2 or 3 car lengths and brought the car to a full stop at traffic lights. Despite poorly marked road lines, the LKAS actively brought me back into my lane the couple of times I tried it. I was surprised BSM didn't come as a part of the safety suite. The A/C was left at 70 AUTO and remained ice cold throughout the hot & muggy days. The touchscreen infotainment screen was responsive but a fingerprint magnet. The bi-LED headlights are amazing. They had excellent side and down-road throw and a comfortable color temp (maybe 5000-5500K?).

Overall, the Corolla is a decent, well-built car. I can see why Toyota sells so many of them.

 

[gregk24]

Glad to hear they still seem to be building solid cars. Thanks for the review.

 

[Cujet]

Yup, I've rented them too. I find that tire noise is fairly common on Corolla rentals, even with good tires. Your review is spot on. They are OK little cars and still exhibit typical Japanese quality and feel despite being made here. I simply prefer the next size up car such as Camry

 

[DevilsRule]

I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.

 

[DevilsRule]

Originally Posted By: DevilsRule
I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.


I will say that the back seat has more room than the Cruze. I will give credit where due.

 

[skyactiv]

I rented a Corolla while my GTI was in the body shop. It had the best headlights of any vehicle I've ever driven. It is a very good car for an aging driver wanting a small car.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: DevilsRule
I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.


I have read the Cruise is a nice car, but it has its fair share of issues. Yours may be rock solid though. I understand your argument though. We have a VW Jetta, same class as the Corolla, and I’d take the VW all day every day over the Corolla. A much better driving car and much more power, it also gets stellar gas mileage and styling will age better than Corolla.

 

[Mr Nice]

I had a Corolla recently when I was in Atlanta. Nice car for the money and CVT was pretty decent with all the hills. I like the basic styling of the dash, 180 degree opposite of a Ford.

Not surprised its always one of the best selling cars in the USA.

 

[Patman]

I had a 2018 Corolla as a rental when I was in Florida in February, it was brand spanking new, under 1000 miles on it. I honestly didn't even know it had a CVT in it, so that's impressive. I LOVED the radar cruise control, it was especially helpful on my journey along Alligator Alley, as it's two lanes so it makes using a normal cruise control that much harder since slower moving cars always pop into the left lane.

 

[madeej11]

A Cruze over a Corolla? PLEASE. I've checked out the Cruze forums from time to time and the problems seem to be never ending. Yes Corollas maybe a little boring especially compared to say the Cruze 1.4 turbo but downtime has to count for something. To me that bowtie logo is synonymous with junk.

 

[123Saab]

I think the secret to Toyota's success is that there isn't much bad to say about their cars.

There's also not a whole lot to say about their cars, period.

 

[E365]

I rented a 2016 Corolla last summer and it was among the worst cars I’ve driven in years. Buzzy engine, terrible handling and steering. I’d 100% take a Golf, Focus, Civic or Mazda 3 over it.

 

[Rolla07]

My Father in law just leased a corolla. Ive driven it a few times. Gas mileage averagming 6.3 per 100 (38mpg). Runs well but feels a bit boxy to me. The CVT isnt terrible but i prefer the 4 spd auto in my 07. I also think my 07 handles better. Ive also had the Cruze as a rental twice. The Cruze is a bit quicker but every Chev product Ive rented had some concerning flaws in the quality department. Impala most recently with the power window piece becoming unattached..a silverado with bad stitching and trim coming apart. Sure minor..but at very low mileage?! Ive rented many fords and chryslers and never had those issues. Seems to me like Chevs might be (hopefully only) are a weak point in the GM lineup. I hear the GMC badge appears to be better but who knows. The new Corollas have some neat safety features..but lets be honest for a minute. If you are looking for fun or exciting, its not a corolla. If you look for reliable and dependable with few thrills, yep it fits the bill. Id still take my 07 over it

Thanks for the review OP!

 

[JHZR2]

They drive fine and have good interior space. I dislike the interior, and the attempts to be "sporty".

 

[hpb]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
The new Corollas have some neat safety features..but lets be honest for a minute. If you are looking for fun or exciting, its not a corolla. If you look for reliable and dependable with few thrills, yep it fits the bill.


The perfect summary of Corolla (and Yaris, Camry...), and pretty much explains why they sell squillions of the things.

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted By: DevilsRule
I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.




Offering the other point of view, a good friend who is a GovMo fan for life bought a Cruze a bit over a year ago. It’s been in the shop three times now for various things. Engine sensor was the last issue.

He is thinking of getting rid of it. It has stranded them twice on the road already.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: DevilsRule
I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.




Offering the other point of view, a good friend who is a GovMo fan for life bought a Cruze a bit over a year ago. It’s been in the shop three times now for various things. Engine sensor was the last issue.

He is thinking of getting rid of it. It has stranded them twice on the road already.


A 1 year old car breaking down twice and being in the shop 3 times is a one in a million chance. I've never heard of anyone having that kind of luck with any vehicle.

 

[earthbound]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: DevilsRule
I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.




Offering the other point of view, a good friend who is a GovMo fan for life bought a Cruze a bit over a year ago. It’s been in the shop three times now for various things. Engine sensor was the last issue.

He is thinking of getting rid of it. It has stranded them twice on the road already.


A 1 year old car breaking down twice and being in the shop 3 times is a one in a million chance. I've never heard of anyone having that kind of luck with any vehicle.

oh really...I wonder what the lemon laws represent.

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: DevilsRule
I had 2018 Corolla with 8,000 miles on it as a rental while my 2012 Cruze was being repaired after being rear ended. Ride quality, quietness, steering feel and interior ergonomics were inferior to my Cruze……….by far! I could not wait to have my car back. I would not waste the money on a Corolla. After my experience with it, I am amazed at how many people buy it. Save the over done "it will last forever" and "bullet proof" argument. Its quite ignorant and exhausting. It just goes to show how many poor people swallow the kool aid. Let the GM bashing ensue! Just my honest opinion.




Offering the other point of view, a good friend who is a GovMo fan for life bought a Cruze a bit over a year ago. It’s been in the shop three times now for various things. Engine sensor was the last issue.

He is thinking of getting rid of it. It has stranded them twice on the road already.


A 1 year old car breaking down twice and being in the shop 3 times is a one in a million chance. I've never heard of anyone having that kind of luck with any vehicle.


Yeah, that reeks of B.S. esp the "govmo" comment. Clearly biased.

 

[jstert]

i rented a 17 corolla cvt last summer on a trip to calif, and owned an 04 ex hertz corolla 4at from 04 to 16 (replaced by signature ex hertz yaris). much prefer the older & simpler corolla, hence the yaris replacement. the newer corolla’s seats, cvt and styling put me off. yes a 4at is a bit antiquated but they keep on running. i also considered a scion xd but it felt more cramped inside than even the yaris.