Current Corolla

[Bobby "Big Daddy" Flay]

Saw a current model Corolla on 45 today and from a distance I thought it was a early 2000's Mazda 6. Was never a big fan of the Corolla but now it looks like Toyota stole a page from the Mazda styling team.

Current Corolla

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TPmdNA-7hUI/AAAAAAADtJA/03jezFbF7C0/s800/2011-Toyota-Corolla_lead.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ID6IQkLqzDQ/Tl8vmvg-8_I/AAAAAAAACK0/Vx-LpgP405A/s1600/2011-Toyota-Corolla-4.jpg

2004 Mazda 6

http://images.autobytel.com/web/carpics/420pixelswide/2004MazdaMAZDA6.jpg
http://forum.mazda6club.com/attachments/newbie-section/79378d1309200901-2004-mazda6-sport-rear-bumper-cover-2004-mazda-6-rear.jpg

[Want_Notch]

I have one as a rental car right now.
Only complaint is that for tall people (I am almost 6'5") there isnt enough leg room in the front.
I feel like I am driving a go cart.

[FoxStang]

I have one as a rental car right now.
Only complaint is that for tall people (I am almost 6'5") there isnt enough leg room in the front.
I feel like I am driving a go cart.
Use the red shells.
http://media.nintendo.com/nintendo/bin/gXI1VLQxSTNzLNB8Hw07woErmO7TrFmm/DZdn1NB7wZ3FauR10GNVMJDDbnfgukFq.jpg

[Prince Valiant]

Meh...here's the thing about the "this car looks like that car" complaint...

Pretty much all cars have pretty much the same shape these days. Especially look in the midsize segment for the most similarity across the board. The shapes are broadly similar and manufactures create differences through character lines and trim. But again, how different can one make character lines and how much individuality can be created through tailights and grille?

Perhaps the most different of the midsize vehicles are the kia/hyundia cars.

Now that compacts are trying to create the appearance of value by mimicking midsizes, yep, now we'll see even more vehicles appear as if they're copies of the other. You can't help it, but I guarantee you no one went into toyota design studio, put up a picture of a mazda 6 and said "Design this car here!"; it's not like it's all that great a looking car anyways.

Though I will say this...there is a car out there that struck me by it's similarity to another, but much maligned car.

The chevy cruze:

http://www.carcollery.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2011-Chevrolet-Cruze-Side-Angle-View.jpg

http://digitalsstate.info/uploadfiles/car-buyin-1285854060/review-2011-chevrolet-cruze-1lt_18.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AWEYhNyNAbY/SxQzes8DEEI/AAAAAAAAEnY/sZ6-9g5smBU/s1600/11+Cruze+front+3-4.jpg


Chrysler 200:

http://new-car-collection.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2011-Chrysler-200-Side-View.jpg

http://www.carshowp.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2011-chrysler-200-rear-side-view.jpg

http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1286210123/med_gallery_51_47_15968.png


Now, do I think anyone at chevy looked at a 200, or more accurately, a sebring and said "design that car!"? HELL no. Why would they?

Instead, what happens is that given the crash standards and needs for aero dynamics and relative compactness, car will just look more and more similar. Not the similarities in the higher beltlines, advantageous for meeting side impact crash standards. Note the similarities of hte C pillars, again, a nod to the need to make a very rigid passenger compartment. The little back side windows on the rear passenger doors? So they can have a rear wheel well as part of the rear door, while also having a rear window that rolls down all the way or at least much much further than it otherwise would have.

How different can you make headlights, tailights, door handles and character lines? Not that much.

It's only going to get worse. I think in 10 years you'll see more chassis sharing...IE, toyota and honda may someday share a platform in which they put their own engines/interior/etc in while sharing the cost of the rest.

[LIZMO]

the 2011 Corolla just changed to the body stlye you posted, it was a mid segment change. that's the 10th gen corolla (2009-201?) but in 2011 they changed the front and rear bumpers, taillights and the chrome by the trunk,etc.

i have a 2009 Corolla S. i've put about 17k miles on it since this spring when i got it and i love it. I went from just north of the wisconsin dells, up to Adams Friendship, back through the dells and then down to janesville and to delavan back to milwaukee and got 47mpg. going the speedlimit and driving nice. pretty cool.

[BAD LS1]

Gimme that Cruze Eco with the M6!

[Bobby "Big Daddy" Flay]

From 1/8 mile or so it looked like a Mazda. I know different manufacturers are making cars more alike others due to factors you mentioned.

But damn, does the Cruze and 200 look quite similar. Never compared the two till your post.

[IcePickFreak]

I always notice 99% of the Corollas I see (and there are plenty of them) are an "S" trim model.

[LIZMO]

there is like 3 differant trim models. the LE or CE. the S. and the XRS. The LE/CE and the S have the same engine/trans. but they have the XRS lip kit and differant 16" wheells. where the XRS has a 2.4L 4cyl and 17" wheels.