What are the disadvantages of the Corolla?

[TessaRose]

Here are the disadvantages of the Corolla: 1. Transmission jerking and abnormal noise: The fatal flaw of the Corolla lies in the transmission's jerking and abnormal noise, especially during low-speed driving where the transmission's shaking and noise are more pronounced. 2. High failure rate of automatic headlight module: Additionally, the 2018 1.2T model has a high failure rate in the automatic headlight module. Many Corolla owners have complained about inaccurate headlight beam height when using automatic headlights, especially when there are passengers in the back seat, where the headlight beam tends to be too high, posing certain safety hazards. 3. Frequent Toyota turbocharger failures: Another issue is the existence of turbocharger failures in Toyota vehicles, which has become a common problem for turbochargers in general. As for whether the 1.2T can handle long-distance travel, the advice is not to recommend prolonged high-load operation of the turbo engine, as excessive turbocharger temperature can easily affect the lifespan of Toyota's 1.2T turbo. For those who frequently commute in the city, the 1.6L engine is a better choice, offering smoother performance.

[McJudah]

Having driven a Corolla as a commuter car for two years, I feel its power is really lacking. It starts off sluggishly, and when the light turns green, stepping on the gas feels like climbing stairs. Even when flooring the accelerator for highway overtaking, there's barely any sense of pushback. The noise issue is worse—tire roar and wind noise combined make it necessary to turn up the music volume inside the car. The suspension is stiff, making bumps feel like they're rattling your bones, and the overly light steering wheel lacks control stability. Driving enjoyment is practically zero; compared to peers like the Civic, the Corolla feels as dull as a routine chore. The interior is mediocre too, with plastic materials that feel cheap and are prone to scratches over time. While maintenance is reliable, minor issues pop up occasionally, like burnt-out bulbs twice, requiring a trip to the repair shop. Space is acceptable, but feels cramped when fully loaded, making it unsuitable for long trips.

[TaylorFitz]

Our family of four uses a Corolla for daily commuting, and the space and comfort are far from ideal. The rear seats are small, and our two kids often complain about not being able to stretch their legs. With a baby seat installed, there's barely any room left for adults. The trunk capacity is just average—fitting a stroller and some shopping bags makes it feel packed, and organizing everything is time-consuming and tiring. The interior materials stain easily, and kids' little movements leave marks that are hard to clean. The suspension is too stiff, making rough roads feel extra bumpy, and long drives leave us with sore backsides. Noise insulation is poor, with noticeable wind noise on highways, which only adds to the frustration when the kids are crying. While the fuel efficiency saves money, the overall practicality falls short compared to SUVs like the Highlander, which is better suited for family trips. The price isn't great either—basic features like power seats are missing, and adding them costs extra. Reliability is good, but even minor repairs, like replacing worn-out wipers, aren't cheap.

[Brody]

As someone who frequently test drives cars, the Corolla is considered average among its peers like the Sagitar or Golf, but it has noticeable flaws. The powertrain is weak; the 1.8L engine has sluggish acceleration response, feels slow off the line, and lacks sufficient power reserve at high speeds, making the driving experience uninspiring. The handling is mediocre, with light and imprecise steering feel, and the suspension tuning prioritizes fuel efficiency over comfort, resulting in poor bump absorption. The interior design and materials feel outdated, with excessive hard plastics, a small and slow-response screen, and an obsolete infotainment system that lags behind competitors' more responsive touch controls. Safety-wise, it lacks advanced driver-assistance features, has a basic airbag configuration, and misses out on automatic emergency braking, putting it a generation behind newer models in terms of technology. While fuel economy is good, the powertrain isn't very efficient, and the loud engine noise detracts from the driving experience. Maintenance costs are reasonable, but the body panels are prone to minor rust spots that require regular attention.