When Im in fact providing er the beans on a twisty backroad, the result is as expected, with almost no body roll to mention and a dexterity that I have a difficult time crediting a Corolla. In daily use, nevertheless, the suspension ends up being straight-up frustrating, and rapidly. Adaptive dampers, like those discovered on the Volkswagen GTI or Honda Civic Si, would go a long method here. You may believe the Apex is comparable to the Honda Civic Sport, however the Civic Sports ride quality is a lot better matched to everyday use. The brakes are basic Corolla fare, and they still offer ample stopping power. The steering is well weighted– really perfectly weighted, really– however its not like theres much feedback going through it.
No-cost Dunlop SP Sport Maxx summer season tires twist around my testers 18-inch alloys, which is halfway to unfaithful. Anything in this sector is going to seem like two times the car in corners when its using the very same rubber as a Subaru STI S209 or a Nissan GT-R Nismo.
The Corolla Apex almost appears like its missing out on something, and in my viewpoint, that something would be about 25 or 30 horsepower. Sure, theres a brand-new exhaust on the Apex, but its bass-friendly tune is only truly noticeable outside the cars and truck, or inside at lower RPMs, and it does nothing to deal with output. Combined with my testers optional CVT (a six-speed manual is available), the Apexs powertrain is great, moving its method through gear ratios at simulated shift points that get a little sharper with a press of the Sport button on the center console.
That, dear readers, is the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex in a nutshell.
The Corolla Apex practically appears like its missing something, and in my opinion, that something would be about 25 or 30 horse power. Honestly, my preferred part of the Corolla Apex is the way it looks. Blind spot monitoring is standard on the XSE Apex and optional on the SE Apex.
While I was hoping the Apex would have a bit more of a middle-child approach here, acting as an intermediary in between the bog-standard Rolla and the forthcoming sports cars and truck, the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex is, if anything, a tip that persistence is a virtue.
A sporty economy cars and truck is more than simply the amount of its parts, however the parts still element in. Leave a lot of things on the table, and completion result will feel purgatorial, trapped between what it is and what it could be. That, dear readers, is the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex in a nutshell.
Dont take that to suggest that the Corolla Apexs upgrades are for display functions only. Rather the contrary, really; the Apex packs a variety of tweaks that work to live up to its handling-adjacent badge. New springs lower the body by more than half an inch, and they operate in conjunction with brand-new shocks, strong sway bars and a distinct tune for the power-steering system.
The Corolla Apex is demonstrably stiffer than its pedestrian sibling, entirely too much so. Every bump or highway expansion joint is satisfied with an incredibly sharp vertical jerk, and simply about every waviness in the road will send out the Apex tracking off-line.
Truthfully, my favorite part of the Corolla Apex is the way it looks. The front ends more aggressive consumptions and the bronze accents within them look effectively shouty without looking like a SEMA decline, and that go-fast visual heads rearward by method of the aforementioned alloys, some remarkably sharp side skirts and, in my testers case, a $375 rear wing thats on the classy side of aggressive. Its like a miniature Camry TRD, particularly in this two-tone black-on-white getup. The interior of my SE Apex is adorned with comfy cloth on the seats and a splash of white that defines the beltline without creating bothersome windshield reflections.
The Corollas white interior accents are great, but they do not encompass the top of the dashboard, keeping windshield reflections from getting too insane.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
The Apexs tech is all standard Toyota fare, which indicates its outstanding. Blind area tracking is basic on the XSE Apex and optional on the SE Apex.
Its all affordable, too. My SE Apex tester starts at $26,065 consisting of $995 for location, with the rear wing bringing the window sticker label to $26,440. Thats a couple grand more than a Civic Sport Hatchback, which uses more area and a more sensible ride, however its a couple grand less than a VW Golf GTI, which is … frankly, its just a much better vehicle all-around and worth the extra scratch if you appreciate both sporting pretensions and not being shaken to pieces continuously.
This isnt the “Corolla hot hatch” youve heard rumors about– not that you d be most likely to make that assumption, thinking about the Apex isnt a hatchback. That cars and truck is still on the method, and it must come carrying a powerful powertrain that will put fire to the feet of vehicles like the GTI. While I was hoping the Apex would have a bit more of a middle-child approach here, serving as an intermediary between the bog-standard Rolla and the upcoming sports automobile, the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex is, if anything, a suggestion that patience is a virtue.
