The Corolla is every driving enthusiast’s dream come true because it is affordable, good-looking and it is performance-oriented. In fact, the reps at Tustin Toyota service have lost count of the number of first-time drivers who are working a side job in between their studies to be able to make the monthly payments. That goes to show you how cost-effective these vehicles truly are.
However, what is even more exciting than a Corolla, is the brand new 2021 Corolla Apex. Dealers near Tustin auto center give kudos to Toyota for developing a vehicle such as this, which is a nice mix of sporty. The 2021 Corolla Apex is an affordable fun car that no matter who you are and how high you are on the economic status, you can still enjoy!
Driving
The Corolla Apex has the engine from the higher trim Corolla SE and XSE and kept it unchanged in the Apex. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. There is enough force under the hood to move the 3,110-pound Corolla very well at Tustin Toyota service.
Also, the motor generates a fun baritone growl that is very pronounced, which is thanks to the cat-back exhaust that comes at no additional cost on the Apex.
The 2021 Corolla Apex at Tustin Toyota service is available in a six-speed manual and an optional CVT. In general, you have to consider the Corolla Apex as a TRD version of the traditional Corolla. The vehicle is right behind the larger Camry and Avalon TRD and adds a sense of racer knack and some handling modifications to the existing SE and XSE trims.
Similar to the TRD enhancements the larger sedans have, the Apex package adds on a sport-tuned exhaust system, an aerodynamic black body kit with bronze accents, and a rear trunk spoiler. Toyota says the extra body kit upgrade helps the vehicle’s high-speed stability.
The Corolla Apex looks ready to get fast and furious on the track, and what helps the vehicle to do this is thanks to all the modifications that are not evident to the naked eye, in particular, the suspension upgrades.
Toyota gave the Apex a set of coil springs that lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches and is matched to a set of specially tuned shocks to increase dampening force and better control the car’s roll movement. Besides the springs and shocks, a set of solid stabilizer bars increase the car rigidity in the corners which mainly relates to increased stiffness of 47% in the front and 33% in the rear.
According to the Corolla’s EPA ratings, the Corolla XSE with the 2.0-liter engine and CVT automatic is 34 mpg in combined driving and 31 mpg on the city while it is 38 mpg on the highway. This is a good indication of what the most powerful engine in the Corolla lineup can achieve.
The least powerful 1.8-engine has a rating of 33 mpg combined. However, if you are looking for fuel economy, hands down it is the Corolla Hybrid that steals the show.
Technology
The 2021 Corolla Apex comes with many standard tech goodies. For instance, an 8-inch touchscreen is standard, running Toyota’s usual operating system, that has many features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a six-speaker audio system.
Other standard features include keyless entry and push-button start. If you are looking for extra perks such as heated seats and blind-spot monitoring, you have to upgrade to the Apex XSE, which has a starting price of around $28,000.
Furthermore, the car is not lacking in safety features either which include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control (for CVT variants), lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring is standard on the XSE Apex and optional on the SE Apex.
In a nutshell, the Corolla Apex adds a sporty performance to the traditional Corolla’s SE and XSE trims. These include:
- Upgraded suspension components
- Lower ride height
- Optional summer performance tires
- Black and bronze exterior trim
Comfort
What many people love about the Corolla is that Toyota keeps everything very simple in this vehicle. The car’s interior is very simple and has an easy-to-use layout. The controls are exactly where they should be and they are logically allocated. There are not numerous buttons that are only there to confuse you. Instead, there is just enough to be useful but not so many that it clutters up the dashboard.
The Corolla’s ride quality is smooth over different types of road surfaces, and the front seats are comfortable. Whether you’re tall or small, there are enough adjustments and sufficient range within those adjustments to find your preferred position. The seats are available in cloth or else in simulated leather.
If you have mobility problems or you just find it difficult to get in and out of cars in general, you will appreciate the fact the Corolla is easy to enter and exit.
Also, the front passengers have a lot of room, and the driver has a clear view of the front as well as the rear. The rear seats are slightly tighter than the front, so if you have a tall occupant in the back he or she’s head may touch the car’s roof.
The Corolla has a truck that measures 13 cubic feet, which should be sufficient for typical use. Sadly, the rear seats do not fold back with the truck floor, which may be an issue if you are looking for a vehicle that you can easily load longer and bulkier cargo.
Throughout the Corolla, there are spaces for storage that are on the small side but they are suitable for small items such as keys, phones, and wallets. On a positive note, there is a lot of room for infant and child safety seats. Also, there are clearly marked car seat anchors that can help you out with the installation.
Overall
So, if you are looking for an intermediary car that stands between the Camry and Avalon TRD, your best bet is to go for the 2021 Corolla Apex!