Toyota Corolla Levin hatch 2002 Review

Over the years you couldn't really say there's been a lot wrong with Corollas, after all they've built a reputation for value, solid reliability, and practicality. However, it'd be true to say that in terms of the way they've been styled and fitted out, they've never really caught the eye or the imagination. Robust but not exactly engaging.

Enter the Corolla Levin. For those that can't be bothered to look it up, the word 'Levin' means flash of lightning. OK it's an extravagant title at best but Toyota has upped the ante on the ubiquitous Corolla with pleasing performance, and quality that's easy on the eye and easy to use.

Previous Corollas were pretty much style free unless you count 'sensible' as a style. The new 'rolla may not have the flair of say, a Peugeot 206 but what it has is a vast improvement over previous incarnations, the body lines are attractive and cues like the subtle hump in the bonnet now suggest some presence and vigour.

Standing beside the car you can't help but notice the extra height. This provides some greatly appreciated room, particularly in the rear where some manufacturers seem to think only sub ten-year olds or midgets ride. There's plenty of legroom; excellent headroom and a fair bit of width, which means that bigger people don't have to be any more intimate than necessary. In the front there's plenty of space and there's a general air of 'big car' space.

So climb in, settle into the seat and grasp the leather covered steering wheel. Looking about you notice that fit and finish is good and there's a feeling that it's all been put together well and the ride is going to be free of buzzes and intrusive noises. The dash, which has a faux-aluminium finish, which extends to the centre console and door trim is pleasingly simple to read and clutter free.

Fire it up and there's very little noise from the engine bay, drop a foot onto the clutch which is very light and slip the somewhat long gear lever into first. Away you go. The gear box swaps between cogs smoothly and dependably, but it's not the kind of box you'd fit to something that purports to be a lightning flash.

The old Corolla had a slightly disconnected feeling, which translated as being heavy and lifeless. With the new car Toyota has laid that particular bogy to rest. The steering is light, reasonably accurate and actively delivers some feedback to the driver. The driving position is more commanding and it works very well, especially around town, which is probably where the car will spend most of its life.

If there's a moan to make it's that the thick pillars block your view when manoeuvring backwards, diverging or turning corners. Personally I find that hard to get on with and I think it needs sorting.

As far as performance goes all Toyota's engines deliver healthy power outputs and the VVTi 1.8 is typical of the breed. It's not ferociously fast, being brisk rather than brazen. The numbers say there's 100kW @ 6000rpm and more importantly there's 171Nm of torque @ 42000rpm. To put that into perspective Toyota claim that's more than Subaru Impreza.

The VVTi engine is happy to play racer if that's want you want and doesn't do a bad job of getting off the line quickly once you use the revs. There's a distinct surge as the power comes on, and even a hint of a note from the exhaust as the engine spins up to its rev ceiling of 7800 rpm. Driven low in the rev range - which is where the car will be most of the time, performance is a bit soft but smooth. To get the spirit of the Levin stirred up, you really need to work the gearbox.

However, it's mid range power is significantly noteworthy as its better than any Corolla that's been before. This makes highway driving very relaxing and pleasant with plenty of power available for overtaking or flattening out the hills.

When it comes to ride quality and handling, the Levin's suspension does a fair job of quietly getting on with absorbing bumps and isolating the occupants from discomfort. I always think that when you don't notice the ride ­ there can't be much wrong, and that's how it is with the Levin. In terms of road holding, despite all new rear suspension and improved front suspension, there's a fair bit of body roll until the car settles on its springs. After that the car holds a line fairly well with plenty of in-built feedback from the stiffer chassis to let you know what's going on under the tyres. If you had to sum it up with one word it'd have to be 'friendly'.

Braking duties are handled by the new four wheel disc setup with ABS Electronic brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, and on the Levin follows in the footsteps of the suspension. It just gets on with the job of slowing and stopping without causing any concerns.

The Levin comes with a host of features that make the car very attractive. It's got a class leading power unit and eye pleasing looks. All the traditional Corolla virtues are still there but it's a far better car than any that went before it. It's still not riotously exciting but it is competent, good to drive and frugal, returning 8.3L/100km during the test, now you can't argue with any of that eh?