2014 Toyota Corolla Review

• Three grades: LE Eco ($18,700), LE Eco Plus ($19,400), LE Eco Premium ($20,100)
• LE Eco: 42 mpg on highway, 30 mpg city, 35 mixed use with 15-inch steel wheels; LE Eco Plus and Premium: 40 mpg highway, 30 mpg city, 34 mixed with 16-inch alloy wheels
• 140 horsepower peak output, 126 lb. per feet of torque
• LED lowbeam headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
• Eco Plus and Premium Trims: Eco Drive Mode, Back-up monitor, Moonroof, Smart Key (keyless entry), push-start ignition, Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite navigation

Differences between each LE Eco option:

• LE Eco: Rear deck spoiler, 15-in steel wheels
• LE Eco Plus: 16-in alloy wheels, integrated fog lights, ECO drive mode
• LE Eco Premium: Softex-trimmed heated front seats, 8 way power adjustable driver's seat, 4 way adjustable front passenger seat.

In the LE Eco Plus and Premium trims, just below the gear shifter is the Eco Mode button, which provides a driving experience that optimizes the Corolla LE Eco's fuel efficiency. The driver must manually select this option, and once selected, the car regulates the output of the gas pedal and softens the blow of acceleration to reduce fuel consumption.

Eco Mode essentially made me a better driver and offered a better experience for my passengers. Starts are smoother and less jerky, which was helpful in Seattle's start-and-stop downtown area.

Air conditioning also affects Eco Mode. Once enabled, the car will cool air from inside the car instead of outside the car, which requires more energy.

The LE Eco's 42 mpg fuel economy is the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only compact sedan with automatic transmission in the segment, according to Toyota.

The new Valvematic engine is the Corolla LE Eco's most distinguishing feature. The 2014 model is the first use of this technology in North America. It's a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine that improves fuel economy and engine outpower by five percent. That's better horsepower than the sporty S model!

When compared to the 2013 Toyota Corolla engine, the Valvematic technology boosts the LE Eco by eight extra hosepower, but loses two lb.-ft. of torque (which refers to turning power).

Toyota reps said that there is limited production capability of the Valvematic engine, which is why they've built it into the new LE Eco and not the more popular LE, L, or even the sporty S models to gauge consumer interest.

Toyota focused on the texture and feel of the front seat and dashboard for the North American market. The seats themselves have increased lumbar and bolster support — and I really felt the difference behind the wheel. The Corolla driver seat is very comfortable, which you will not take for granted during long road trips.

The interior features a mix of a shiny "piano black" and brushed metallic surfaces throughout. The piano black, which surrounds the infotainment, feels excessive and makes the interior look cheap where it doesn't need to be. Metallic brushed-chrome accents framing the infotainment system would probably be better.

When starting the engine, the first thing you notice is how quiet the cabin is. This is, of course, intentional. The floors have extra carpet insulation, and the car is made with an acoustic glass windscreen, a fender sound insulator, and an inner dash silencer pad to help keep environmental noise level down.

I was most surprised that the LE, LE Eco, and S models include a back-up monitor, which is incredible useful for city driving and parallel parking in crowded urban areas. It just goes to show that the Corolla is keeping up with modern luxuries previously reserved for high-end, premium cars.

Adding the driver's convenience package ($1510 extra in LE Plus and Premium models) will give you Entune Premium Audio, which includes the navigation and app suite (which has Facebook, Yelp, and Pandora). The steering wheel also puts advanced audio controls and Entune voice recognition at your fingertips.

The system pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth and uses its data connection to power the various apps. The display is a 6.1-inch touchscreen, and it lags ever so slightly, but built-in car tech will always lag behind the user experience we've come to expect from our tablets and smartphones.

The best feature is the ECO navigation dashboard, which measure current miles per gallon based on your driving personality and shows the average speed, elapsed driving time, and fuel range over time.

High tech offerings like USB 2.0, Bluetooth connectivity, and auxiliary ports now come standard in the entry-level Toyota line.

The 2014 Corolla is about four inches longer than the previous model, and most of the extra space was diverted to the passenger cabin, which is roomier for rear-seat occupants. There's additional leg room, the floor is flatter, and there are denser foam inserts in the seats, which all makes for a more comfortable ride in the backseat.

In the LE Eco, you can opt for fabric seats, or the leather-like, stain and water-resistant Premium Softex.

Driving the LE Eco was like everything you'd expect from a premium, more expensive hybrid vehicle. Acceleration was effortless, the car had great handling, and it was surprisingly zippy on the highway. The driver's seat was supportive and comfortable, and the steering wheel felt sporty and authoritative.

While the look of the 11th generation Corolla may not spark your engine when compared to other more sporty-looking sedans, the LE Eco is the most exciting model in the lineup, and the fuel economy (versus other nonhybrid, nonelectric sedans) is tough to beat. I think the longer, wider, lower stance and redesigned exterior is an improvement over the 2013 Corolla and will appeal to a younger crowd.

The 2014 Corolla is a five-person, four-door compact and is ideal for a commuter looking for fuel efficiency at an attractive price, and it packs a lot of punch. Would you consider the 2014 Corolla as your next car?