2024 Corolla LE rental review, 6 days and 1100 miles

[Dave Hess]

We visited Boise, Idaho and rented a 2024 Corolla LE, drove 1100 miles in 6 days.

Car averaged 37 miles per gallon on the highway cruising at 80 miles per hour. I think that’s very good fuel economy considering the rolling hills and driving through the mountains headed to Oregon to visit Emigrant Hill / Cabbage Hill with 6% grades on this roadway. 450 mile round trip with lots of turns elevation changes.


Likes:
- Very good fuel economy
- Nice ride with beefy sidewall tires, no need for 18 inch wheels on econobox
- Very comfortable seats for long drives, I can easily drive 12 hours in this Corolla
- Engine has enough power at WOT
- Smooth ride at 120 mph
- Brakes have excellent feedback
- Very nice dash layout and instrumentation
- Easy to use A/C and radio controls

Lows:
- CVT has rubber band effect in some driving conditions
- Lots of road noise if pavement not smooth, could use much more insulation
- Rear seat headrests can not be removed, I had to fold rear seats forward to see road in rear view mirror. I always worry about a small car or motorcycle hidden by non removable headrests. I want to see 100% of the road in back of me.

I would definitely buy a new Corolla if I needed a smaller vehicle with excellent gas mileage and reliability.

^^^ Notice rear seats folded forward

 

[fantastic]

Nice pics and looks like it was a good tool for your trip. "rubber band effect" Is that like speeding up & then the CVT wanting to slow you back down or?

 

[buster]

Good cars. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Dave Hess]

Nice pics and looks like it was a good tool for your trip. "rubber band effect" Is that like speeding up & then the CVT wanting to slow you back down or?

Delayed response to gas pedal and builds power slowly.

 

[eljefino]

You could probably lay those seat backs flat if you temporarily pull the front seats forward, let them drop, then readjust. But the immovable headrests are either heavy-handed safety or super cheapness rearing its ugly head.

Remember in the very early 1980s when terrible economy cars had built in headrests? Like the dodge omni.

 

[dishdude]

Remember in the very early 1980s when terrible economy cars had built in headrests? Like the dodge omni.

High back bucket seats! Omni seats were way more comfortable than they should have been, great cushioning, support and great velour you can't get today.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Beautiful pics! Glad to hear you like the Corolla LE. I was wondering how the newer ones were. And glad to hear you consider it an option; that sez a lot.

 

[THORROMIG]

Smooth ride at 120 mph?? How often was that happening? Lol
See tons of Corollas around my area. Hope you had a pleasant trip..

 

[JavierH19]

- Engine has enough power at WOT
- Smooth ride at 120 mph

Daily reminder to never buy a rental. They're only for trashing not owning.

 

[AKhan87]

I have driven many Corolla rentals, the last one was a 2020.

I cruise control between 82-87 mph and sometimes if the roads are emptyish and weather permitting, I will drive faster then that.

My 2005-08 Corollas would get 33-34 mpg with my driving habits, and 2009 to 2020 non-hybrid corollas got 32 mpg, I am not impressed with that CVT, it is not a good pairing with my driving habits, especially when my 2005-08 Corollas got better gas mileage...but yes the newer corolla do feel more comfortable inside.

 

[AKhan87]

Daily reminder to never buy a rental. They're only for trashing not owning.

I drive my own cars that way, that isn't really going to abuse a Toyota/Lexus engine...I have never seen any ill effects, in fact the opposite, my cars always drive better after my driving and maintenance habits.

 

[The Critic]

Daily reminder to never buy a rental. They're only for trashing not owning.

I don’t see anything wrong with occasional WOT and/or steady cruise at 120 mph. The amount of load during steady cruise at those speeds isn’t as problematic as it sounds.