Most automakers with each change of generation increase their cars, making them even larger and more solid, as well as equip them with more and more electronic systems. A good example of this trend is Toyota - all its models, from compact hatchbacks to huge SUVs, previously had much smaller dimensions. And this "growth" in different models of Toyota is uneven - it turns out that the cars become close in parameters. That is why the idea of finding out which car is better: Camry or Corolla, now does not seem contradictory, because the difference in length between them is only 20 centimeters. Let's check which Toyota car is better for everyday use.
Exterior
The massive Toyota Camry most often attracts the attention of businessmen, as well as people over 40 who seek stability and confidence. However, after the change of generations, the exterior of the Camry can be called controversial, as it contains many disparate design elements. Dynamic front of Toyota Camry does not combine in any way with a heavy-weight profile, and a small spoiler on a trunk lid even bewilders, because it looks alien. The best foreshortening for middle-sized sedan Toyota is from the side, as in this plan the car looks exclusively solid and respectable. Unlike Toyota Camry of the last generation, the new car looks angular, which also breaks the harmony of the appearance of the car - it does not have that integrity, completeness, which we are used to see in products of the Japanese car industry.The Toyota Corolla, on the contrary, has a more harmonious appearance compared to the previous generation. Long headlights of complex shape are perfectly combined with the arched radiator grille and a large slit in the bottom of the bumper. And angularity of a body is to Toyota Corolla's credit, because unlike Camry, it is very difficult to find smooth lines in it. Rear lights look just excellent - their shape is not less complex than the front lighting of the Corolla, and they are connected by a wide chrome strip. Only large rear bumper of Toyota Corolla looks disputable, which doesn't match its dynamic look.
Comfort and equipment
Of course, to argue with the Toyota Camry in terms of equipment, the company's junior model can not. The basic set of equipment for the modification with a four-cylinder engine includes:
ABS, BAS, ESP;
Six airbags;
Cruise control and parktronic;
Rear view camera;
Multimedia system with 8-inch screen;
Dual-zone climate control;
Automatic seat adjustments.
If we are talking about a person who buys a Toyota Camry to drive with a hired driver, the car will seem incredibly comfortable and able to anticipate his every desire. The rear sofa is wide and can even accommodate three adults, and already two people in Toyota Camry will be so comfortable that they can sleep for hours.However, the driver of Toyota Camry should not count on such comfort, because the height of the seats hardly reaches the shoulder blades of an average person. As a result, the shoulders remain tense, which does not help to concentrate on the road. There are no claims to the ergonomics of the central console and the beautiful dashboard of Toyota Camry, though the decor of the front panel is not made at the highest level. Wooden panels and leather upholstery turn out to be inexpensive plastic, and if you order Camry with light interior, they are too striking, distracting a person from driving. But in dark colors the interior of Toyota Camry looks quite harmonious, though the first touch of cheap plastic destroys the illusion of luxury.
Comparing with Camry, the interior of Toyota Corolla looks very poor - the chairs with combined upholstery, high-mounted narrow front panel and small center console strike the eye at once. Moreover, almost nothing from the list of options mentioned above is available - the owner of Corolla will have only a simple multimedia system with 6-inch screen, air conditioner, 4 airbags, and ABS. But Toyota Corolla interior is "honest" - there is no leather and natural wood imitation.In the back of the Corolla it is expectedly cramped - tall people prop up the front seats with their knees, as well as hold the ceiling on their heads. Five people can sit in Toyota Corolla only if the back sofa is fully occupied by children. In front the situation is better, though it is not worthy for tall people to seek comfort in compact Toyota, because the seats' cushion will interfere too low. But the profile of backs can be named ideal - it provides good support of shoulders, shoulder blades and lumbar. As a whole, Toyota Corolla is perceived as more harmonious car, though its belonging to budget class can be seen with naked eye.
Testing on the road
It is impossible to say who behaves better on the road - Toyota Corolla or Toyota Camry. The powerful power unit of the Camry provides the heavy car with excellent dynamics, although, according to the driver's senses, the car accelerates not faster than the Corolla. The reason for this is an excessively stiff throttle pedal damper, as well as the Toyota Camry gearbox, designed to save fuel. As a result, the middle-sized Toyota sedan behaves perfectly well on the highway, not annoying the driver with jerks when accelerating or throttle reduction, but you should be more careful with sharp acceleration and overtaking in the city. Despite such settings "automatic", Toyota Camry can not be called economical - the average city fuel consumption is 10-12 liters per 100 kilometers.
If you compare the two cars in terms of suspension settings, the Camry will definitely win in terms of smoothness of ride. The large Toyota sedan flies over most potholes and bumps in the road without looking, not to mention cracks and other minor defects. Only "lying policemen", open hatches and deep potholes can shake Toyota Camry's confidence. However, you have to pay for such comfort with controllability - the steering wheel does not feel the proper reverse force, and the commands of the driver are executed with a noticeable delay. Besides, in corners the Toyota Camry swings heavily, forcing to slow down, and on long waves of asphalt it rocks, causing unpleasant feelings to passengers.
When estimating the dynamics of Toyota Corolla, the same effect works as in old Zhiguli - because of more noise and jerks’ acceleration seems more dynamic, but in fact the car lags behind the Camry from the first second. Though at the moment of start it is possible to see that Corolla pulls ahead, because its stepless variator does not create the same delays, as hydromechanical "automatic device". Transmission of compact Toyota is adjusted very well - the car quickly responds to gas supply and allows the driver to go for dynamic overtaking without worrying about power reserve. Besides, variator in Corolla does not have traditional for such units’ problems - it uses "virtual" gears, instead of supporting constant revolutions of engine and irritating a driver with annoying noise.
It is also very difficult to say which is better - the softness of the Camry's chassis or the moderate stiffness of the Corolla's suspension. The younger model of Toyota is much better in handling and does not allow any rolls, but we are not talking about uncompromising comfort in this case. When passing through large cracks in the road surface the Toyota Corolla's steering wheel starts to twitch, and on large irregularities the car simply bounces. For justice' sake we should say that in most cases the car does not annoy the suspension breakdowns or passengers' sudden jerks, but on the roads large potholes are not so rare. When it comes to handling characteristics, we can say one thing: Toyota Corolla is on its money: better than many competitors, but it does not create the comfort that Camry gives its owner.
The result of the comparison may be the conclusion that the car is not big enough to be solid and comfortable. Of course, the Toyota Corolla has excellent looks, well-tuned transmission and economical engine, but in such parameters as comfort and roominess, it loses to a larger sedan. But also, Toyota Camry can not be called ideal - its front seats will seem comfortable only to short people, and the design can be called tasteless. Besides, it is necessary to count on the big fuel consumption, rarely reducing up to 10 l/100 km. Toyota Camry is a car for those who want peace of mind, confidence and safety, but Toyota Corolla will suit those who appreciate driving qualities and maneuverability in the city.