Used 2014 Toyota Corolla LE Plus for sale 

The 2014 Toyota Corolla is a front-wheel-drive compact sedan that seats five and is available in four main trim levels: L, LE, LE Eco, and S. All but the L are further offered in Plus and Premium sub-trims. Each trim puts its own unique set of features on the table, making it difficult to choose a specific one. 

However, one good difference between the S and the rest of the trims is that it offers a sport-tuned suspension and sports seats in the front, along with 17” alloys, accessories you may not find in any of the lower models. There is no alteration in output, but the firmer suspension adds to the cornering ability of the sedan. Meanwhile, the LE Eco trim specializes in upgrading the fuel economy of the car by a substantial margin.

Key options for the Plus and Premium trims include a sunroof and a Driver Convenience package that includes keyless ignition/entry, smartphone app integration, satellite radio, HD radio, and a navigation system. 

All the trims on Corolla have their own song to sing. However, since entitled to select a single trim, we believe opting for the LE Eco trim is more beneficial. Primarily, the trim will provide the best of the economy as it is designed to, but secondly, it will add a few features that will impart a much-sophisticated outlook. To enhance the experience further, equipping the Plus package is recommended. 

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The 2014 Toyota Corolla sedan houses a very modest powertrain under that newly designed, sleek metal hood. A 1.8L 4-cylinder engine producing just enough horsepower to keep the car on the brink makes a 132 HP and 128 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, in today’s world of charismatic athleticism and authoritativeness, these figures are quite mediocre and obsolete. 

Moving forward, the engine is paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Depending on the trim, the available automatic transmission is either a four-speed automatic or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT feels more refined than those in some competitors, and it does a decent job of delivering the engine's power on the highway. 

The Corolla S model is the one you should pick if you enjoy driving (if, paradoxically, you're a driving enthusiast even considering a Corolla); it gets a suspension tune that's considerably more buttoned-down than the other models, strong and well-damped, while the other models are still more springy and pillowy. 

Well, there is a lot to lose in terms of performance with the Corolla. It is not only the weakest but does less to even try to get ahead in the race. But, nevermind, the sedan was never meant to be on track. After all, practicality is what matters to the everyday commuter. 

When equipped with the CVT, the Corolla gets 28 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, which is decent for the class. Those seeking maximum fuel efficiency will want the LE Eco trim with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine featuring Valvematic, which has a broader range of continuously variable valve timing and increases fuel economy and engine output by more than five percent to 140-horsepower. 

Though the Corolla is comfortable, it’s plagued by a boring ride, dull steering, and clumsy cornering. While the engine, steering, and fundamental layout of the 2014 Toyota Corolla haven’t changed radically, the innovation that most Corolla buyers are going to encounter concerns the transmission.

As expected, the Corolla excels in using less fuel, well, thanks to its all refined and tuned to perfection, old school 1.8L engine. It is here where the Corolla establishes precedence over its competitors. As compared to the closest competitors, the Focus and Sentra, the Corolla 2014 is marginally efficient. Moreover, a class-leading 13.2 gallons of fuel tank ensures that it never runs out of fuel too soon. 

The cabin of the 2014 Corolla is not exactly exciting, but controls are easy to find and use. The radio features tried-and-true volume and tuning knobs, for example, while the climate control has large knobs and buttons. As with most Toyotas, the front seats are soft and comfy, while those in the S version are firmer and have more pronounced side bolsters. 

There is plenty of space here, even for taller drivers, and the backseat also boasts impressive space. Indeed, at 41.4 inches, rear legroom bests that of most midsize sedans. By the numbers, Toyota says that rear legroom has gone up a whopping 5.1 inches. However, in reality, we would assume three inches. Meanwhile, the rear headroom has gone down just a tenth of an inch; but sitting in new versus old models it felt more pronounced.

The Corolla's trunk capacity is average at 13 cubic feet, but the wide opening eases loading and unloading. If more space is needed, the rear seat splits and folds to increase capacity. The 2014 Corolla's cabin is not exactly exciting, but controls are easy to find and use. Materials quality is average, and overall, the interior of the Corolla doesn't look or feel as expensive as the cabins of the Ford Focus and Kia Forte.

The 2014 Corolla's optional suite of smartphone-connected services includes the Bing search engine, Pandora streaming radio, traffic data, and sports and stock information.

The radio features tried-and-true volume and tuning knobs, for example, while the climate control has large knobs and buttons. Getting started with Entune can be a hassle, though, since you have to install an app on your phone and register for an account; plus, you always need an active data connection to use Entune. The touchscreen interface has straightforward menus, but it's sometimes unresponsive to user touch. On the other hand, its physical controls are logically arranged and easy to adjust.

Some of the interior features in the 2014 Toyota Corolla are:

• Single Zone Front Air Conditioning
• Remote Trunk Release
• Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof
• 6 Total Speakers
• Auxiliary Audio Input  and USB With External Media Control
• Toyota Entune Infotainment System
• Pandora Streaming Radio

Toyota calls the Corolla's new look more athletic, and we definitely won't argue with that. The automaker points to ‘Iconic Dynamism’ as the core concept surrounding the new Corolla design ethos. Dynamic, Modern, Basic, and Iconic ideas were combined in the design, which is geared toward the Gen Y demographic. 

Upfront, a gaping lower grille, and angular headlights do their best to give the Corolla a shot of adrenalin, while a defined character line runs the length of the vehicle meets the wrap-around taillights, which attempt to give the Corolla visual width. Door handles flare outward and becomes their own complimentary design statement with the side creases. And Toyota points out that moving to an LED design for the headlamps (for the low beams) helped allow the corner of the vehicle to be more rounded.

Proportions are a big part of what makes the new Corolla's design successful. The new Corolla is about three inches longer than the previous version, with nearly four inches of additional wheelbase—altogether placing the wheels farther out to the corners and giving the Corolla a far sportier stance. Comparatively, the Corolla works just as well as any sedan as almost all the dimensions are at par with the prime sedans in the segment. Some of the exterior features in the 2014 Toyota Corolla are:

• Clear Paint Protection 
• 17 In. Alloy Wheels
• LED Fog Lights
• Splash Guards
• Alloy Wheel Locks
• Body Side Molding

The Corolla does well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests, earning five out of five stars overall. However, in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Corolla's results are a bit more mixed. It received a top score of Good in four of the five categories, but only a Marginal score in the small overlap front test. 

Because of that rating, the new Toyota Corolla falls to the middle of the compact car class for safety. The only safety system available in the Corolla is a rearview camera. Some competitors are available with more advanced collision avoidance features, like lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning.

• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Passenger Head Restraint Whiplash Protection System
• Daytime Running Lights
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Rear View Camera
• 8-Standard Airbags

2014 Toyota Corolla vs 2014 Ford Focus

While the Forte is priced competitively, it is faster in the straight line and does not lose out much in terms of fuel efficiency. That said, the new 2014 Corolla offers abundant space for the rear seat occupants and yet offers a decent trunk space. The new aesthetics, high reliability, and impressive warranty package make Corolla the preferred choice. 

2014 Toyota Corolla vs 2014 Kia Forte

Kia Forte offers a similar performance as that of the Corolla at a much lower price. That said, the 2014 Corolla is more frugal, offers more passenger space, and has more technology as standard. While the Forte offers a larger trunk, the high-reliability factor of Toyota makes it the sensible choice here. 

2014 Toyota Corolla vs 2014 Nissan Sentra

Though the 2014 Sentra is more affordable between the two, it is much slower off the mark and is marginally less fuel-efficient. The Sentra offers a perfect combination of passenger and cargo space, but Corolla has a more upmarket cabin. Therefore, with the ultra-efficient Corolla on offer, there is nothing to choose between the two. 

The 2014 Toyota Corolla isn’t a vehicle that mesmerizes with breathtaking comfort or stupefying dynamics and agility. However, it certainly is the most practical sedan ever made. You may criticize it for its turtle attitude, but at the end of the day, everything comes down to how heavy it is on the pocket. That being said, it cannot be vindicated off for a mediocre powertrain, but finding a way around its shortcomings with extraordinary interior space and occupant safety is what matters. In this sense, the Corolla seems to have won the race already.