Toyota Corolla LE Extended Test – The Car Exam

Toyota Corolla

Plusses: The 2014 Toyota Corolla LE has far more rear seat room than the 2014 model it replaced; it almost feels cavernous. Back seat passengers will be happy. It’s also clear to see why Toyota went with the CVT transmission now–it utilizes the power from the 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine far better and more efficiently, making it accelerate faster (especially up long grades in the mountains) and also making the Corolla more fuel efficient (too bad the base models are still stuck with the outdated 4-speed automatic transmission). It’s not perfect, but the CVT Transmission does it’s job very well.

The Corolla LE has a soft, comfortable ride, soaks up bumps well and while it isn’t made for twisty roads and sharp handling, the suspension is acceptable, as are the brakes. The sounds system is good–a bit tedious to operate, though, and the back up camera is a nice touch, just be very careful not to over-calculate how close you are to another vehicle or object, because the camera’s lines on the screen seem a bit off, measurement-wise.

Minuses: the large, annoying, cinder block-styled dashboard is annoying and claustrophobic. It hurts outward visibility, as does the high rear deck lid. Speaking of which, the truck opening is too narrow, a common problem on most sedans these days, unfortunately. The rear seat headrests are not removable, which is inexcusable. If you have no rear seat passengers, and the driver wishes to remove the rear headrests for better visibility (which the driver would be happy to have, because the high position of the truck cuts rearward visibility out of the back window), then you’re out of luck. Toyota didn’t do this with at least the two previous generations of the Corolla, but it does now–and it feels like a cheap touch–not good, Toyota). Interior materials are better than the 2013 Corolla, but too much cheap plastic still remains.

Final Grade: that annoying dashboard, along with some other minor issues prompts The Car Exam to give the 2014 Corolla LE a “B” grade: if Toyota gets rid of that horribly annoying dashboard, the Corolla would have earn a top “A” grade for sure, because there’s a lot to like about the 2014-2015 Corollas.

Ford Mustang Convertible (2014) – Ford’s Fifth Generation Pony Car Sendoff: An Extended Test

2014 Ford Mustang

Good Grades: Horsepower. Lots of Horsepower. Don’t let the base V6 engine fool you: the 305 horsepower, 3.7 liter V6 can get up and go. The 305 horsepower was needed on various occasions, and it didn’t disappoint. Sure, it may not have the 430-plus horsepower that the current Mustang GT has, but it holds its own very nicely. The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and works well with the V6. There was a bit of hesitation when the transmission was put in reverse, which may have been an anomaly with the test vehicle.

Ford Mustang – Consumer and Car Exam

Ford Mustang – 3.7 liter V6

The four-wheel disc brakes stop quickly; there is a lot of front end nosedive, but considering the heavy weight of the car and soft suspension, it’s understandable. There is lots of front leg room; if a short driver or passenger is up in the front, then rear passengers do have a bit of legroom to work with–not much–but it won’t be adequate for long trips, though. The front seats, while generally comfortable, also become tiresome on long trips.

The 2014 Ford Mustang base model tested had a good bit of good standard features going for it–most buyers wouldn’t need to check very many option boxes. The styling of the 5th generation Mustang is decidedly retro, but it evolved during the course of its nine-year run, and Ford did a good job of moving it along.

Ford Mustang – Consumer and Car Exam

Bad Grades: The soft suspension–the base Mustang’s suspension is too soft. While it handles speed bumps and some road imperfections well, it makes tight cornering far less confident. It isn’t as bad as the 4th generation Mustang’s sloppy base model suspension, but it still isn’t ideal. Don’t expect to have any fun driving the 2014 base model Mustang around twisty roads–it will inspire fear more than anything.

The ancient rear live axle suspension doesn’t help cornering either–hit almost any road imperfection when you’re turning a corner, and the rear end will feel like it’s skating on ice. Thankfully, Ford gave all 2015 Mustangs independent rear suspensions, a welcome and long overdue change.

Ford Mustang – Consumer and Car Exam

The speakers in the base Mustang sound sub-par–the base is nowhere near as strong as it should be in a car that costs way over $20,000. There are also too many small buttons used to control stereo (and HVAC) controls. You need to be able change the controls quickly at a glance, and that’s a challenge in the 2014 Mustang. Was this improved in the 2015 Mustang? A review of the 2015 Mustang will help determine that.

Ford Mustang – Stereo/HVAC controls

Fuel economy is okay on the highway (up to 27 mpg was averaged on the highway during the test), but the city mpg isn’t so great, unfortunately. Combined highway and city mpg hovered around 23 mpg–sometimes more, sometimes less. Finally, please, Ford–give both front seats power adjustments, especially for height–entry and exit ease is important for any car. Also, the convertible roof has large blind spots, but it’s a convertible and that can’t be avoided.

Ford Mustang

Final Grade: The 2014 Mustang base model convertible earns a solid “B” grade. It is a decent sendoff for America’s original pony car. While not a perfect driver’s car, it’s a nice car for cruising the town in style. If you need better everything in your Mustang (except fuel economy), go for the Mustang GT. The 2015 Mustang may improve on that formula; time (and an all-new road test) will tell…

Ford Mustang – Consumer and Car Exam

Chrysler 200 Limited, a quick test: the 2015 model is better, but it needs more…

Chrysler 200

Good Grades: The styling of the 2015 200 is much better than the dowdy, unattractive 2014 model. In fact, it’s one of the best-looking midsized sedans on the market now.

Chrysler 200 – front and side

With over 290 horsepower on tap, power is certainly decent; the brakes are adequate, interior room is fair, the seats are comfortable, the dash layout is improved, and the overall car, as a whole, seems better–except…

Chrysler 200

The Bad Grades: …the fake wood on the interior looks atrocious–it looks cheap, and looks low-rent in an otherwise classy-looking car. The nine-speed automatic transmission doesn’t seem to work well with the 3.6 liter V6 engine at all; it seems to sap the power from the engine, and it just doesn’t feel well-connected. The transmission disappoints. The price can also get lofty (well over $30,000 dollars).

Chrysler 200 – Dash (2)

Final Grade: The 2015 Chrysler 200 earns a solid “B” grade. If Chrysler can correct the issues on the current car for the 2016 model year, then the 200 can finally be the competitive force it wants it to be.

Chrysler 200 – rear

Chrysler 200 Limited, a quick test: the 2015 model is better, but it needs more…

Chrysler 200

Good Grades: The styling of the 2015 200 is much better than the dowdy, unattractive 2014 model. In fact, it’s one of the best-looking midsized sedans on the market now.

Chrysler 200 – front and side

With over 290 horsepower on tap, power is certainly decent; the brakes are adequate, interior room is fair, the seats are comfortable, the dash layout is improved, and the overall car, as a whole, seems better–except…

Chrysler 200

The Bad Grades: …the fake wood on the interior looks atrocious–it looks cheap, and looks low-rent in an otherwise classy-looking car. The nine-speed automatic transmission doesn’t seem to work well with the 3.6 liter V6 engine at all; it seems to sap the power from the engine, and it just doesn’t feel well-connected. The transmission disappoints. The price can also get lofty (well over $30,000 dollars).

Chrysler 200 – Dash (2)

Final Grade: The 2015 Chrysler 200 earns a solid “B” grade. If Chrysler can correct the issues on the current car for the 2016 model year, then the 200 can finally be the competitive force it wants it to be.

Chrysler 200 – rear