Test drive: 2006 Toyota Corolla S

Not quite the bottom swimmer in Toyota's Corolla lineup, the "C" offers a little more zap but no more zip than the base car. Such visual adornments as side skirts, a spoiler, and for a few bucks extra, handsome alloy wheels, dress up the exterior. Red-illuminated white instruments, an outside temperature gauge, tire pressure monitor; power assisted windows, mirrors, and door locks and other goodies highlight the interior. Starts at $15,050. Mileage 30/38 city/country.

First Glance

Toyota wants to put a little sport in your life, friend. Knowing you're condemned to driving a 4-door blandmobile, it has conjured up a special version of the Corolla, dubbed it "S" for Sport, added a few visual attractions plus some comfort and convenience items, and for a little more than $1000 over the base car will supposedly make you feel like Ralf Schumaker. That's Michael's younger and not-quite-as-quick brother, in case you didn't know. Ralf drives for the Toyota F1 team.

But let's not get carried away here. There's nothing in the Corolla S that's sporting in the true sense of the word. Nothing that will make it accelerate any faster, get around corners quicker, steer more precisely, or do neat driving tricks the base car can't master. It's all an illusion, albeit a pleasant one.

Still, if you want the good things about a Corolla and can't quite accept being one of the unwashed, then perhaps the S will give you a sense of well-being. Sometimes all it takes is the feel of a smallish, leather-lined steering wheel in your hands to raise the spirits a little before tackling the morning rush hour. That and a good cup of coffee.

In the Driver's Seat

There are two ways to regard the 2006 Toyota Corolla S interior. First, in the eyes of a would-be Ralf Schumaker. Second, as someone who needs practical transportation. Let's start with the latter, for that's what matters most. Entry and exit, known as "egress," is not quite what I expected considering the Corolla's tall car stance. Okay up front, slightly awkward in back. Still, there's plenty of head and leg room for four normal-size adults plus one small child. The rear seatback's a 60/40 folder but there are no frills for the folks who ride in the rear. No storage pockets, no cupholders, no middle armrest.

Things are nicer up front. Seats are supportive, instruments big and bold, controls exquisitely simple. The Corolla S includes power windows, mirrors, and door locks; vertical seat adjustment; air-conditioning with cabin air filter; a 6-speaker sound system. And for the Schumaker in you, such go-fast adornments as sport fabric, chrome embellishments, plus the aforementioned leather-covered steering wheel. Which tilts, by the way, an advantage for the large of stance (tilt up) or once-was racers like me (tilt down). All-round visibility requires diligence unless you get your kicks from seeing a spoiler in the mirror.

On the Road

There's nothing about the Corolla to make you head for the hills seeking challenging corners. Yet it won't disappoint if your Sunday drive takes you off the straight-and-narrow. Even using a beam axle instead of an all-independent rear suspension the Corolla handles well and steers with reasonable precision. The Corolla S compensates for not having disc brakes in the rear by including ABS and electronic brake distribution. Don't push too hard and you can actually have a little fun with this baby.

With 126 hp the 1.8 liter twin-cam engine is not likely to storm around an autocross in record-breaking time but there's enough torque for easy on-ramp acceleration, which is all most buyers in this category want. Quiet enough at cruise, it has that typical 4-cylinder drone when pushed. My test car came equipped with a 4-speed automatic, one gear too short for today's driving conditions. Driving in highway traffic at between 50 mph and 75 mph it had an unfortunate habit of "hunting" between 3rd and 4th gears; not even the inclusion of an overdrive button could overcome that. Assuming your eagerness to drop a few extra bucks for the S means you know how to shift gears, I might recommend the standard 5-speed manual as a better choice.

Journey's End

If I was young again and with my then-young family (yes, Aaron, I say that with every other test drive but nostalgia's a powerful motivator when putting one's self in the shoes of today's families), the Corolla S would be on my list. It's got the space we'd need plus a massive trunk for those winter trips to Florida. My wife wouldn't nag me over such boring things as fuel economy, reliability, and resale value. And even though there are no go-fast goodies in the specs, I could still get my kicks behind the wheel.

Having said that, as a performance-oriented driver I'd have some impressive alternatives. The Mazda3, for example, widely recognised as one of the best small cars. The new Honda Civic, which I could order in an environment-saving hybrid version.

Let's pretend, however, that I'm a touch conservative in my tastes, like to have a little fun at the wheel but don't wish to attract the attention of the neighbourhood and wouldn't risk the wrath of my mother-in-law, who frequently rides in the back seat. I could easily be attracted to the Toyota Corolla S, though at this stage of the current Corolla's life, I'd demand a discount from my Toyota dealer. (If he fails to co-operate, tell him "S" really stands for Schumaker.)