We Irish have had a long-time love affair with the Corolla. It is inexpensive to buy and run, easy and fun to drive, practical, and safe. But ultimately the Corolla equals reliability and longevity. Buy one and you’ll have it for years. No wonder we love it. There is good room in the cabin and plenty of boot space. There’s a good level of standard equipment and the dials and instruments are clear and simply laid out. It is so easy to drive, handles well and the steering feels really assured and well weighted. The ride quality, for the most part, is quite smooth and supple, and the chassis keeps body roll to a minimum. The driving position is excellent. Visibility is good throughout and it is an easy car to drive on the open road or crowded city street.

•  Reports of electrical failures particularly in older models

•  It’s a well-built, solid and robust car

•  Plenty of standard kit and safety features on board

•  Toyota are known for producing reliable cars

•  There are some really good engines in the range

•  The diesel version is a bit disappointing