2011 Toyota Corolla
For years, Toyota has reigned supreme in the compact game, with its Corolla model, but that may be changing. Despite having managed to retain the top spot (along with the Matrix, built on the same platform) among US small car sales in 2010, sales of the Corolla fell 10%, with the model outselling the Honda Civic by only 5,864 units.
“Corolla has always had a tough place in the market. It’s never been a style leader,” says David Champion, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports magazine. “The new cars coming out offer more style and content. They’re really going to give Corolla a run for its money.”
Cars like the Civic, new Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, Kia Forte, and Mazda 3 are all offering more stylish options to compete with the Corolla, now giving consumers more options in compacts such as; German styled handling, more power, hybrid drivetrain, etc. The Corolla entered the compact market when it was solely about fuel-economy and price, but that is far from the case today.
- By: Stephen Calogera
Source: MSNBC
