Which car should I buy | Alternatives to Toyota Corolla

Dear WhichCar.

I am the proud owner of a 1999 Toyota Corolla which has never let me down but my son has convinced me to upgrade to something a little newer and safer. It’s been a while since I was in a car showroom and, as an older driver, I find the idea a little daunting at best. If it were up to me I would probably replace it with another Corolla if it is still available, but maybe you can suggest some alternatives? I don’t drive far or fast and I certainly don’t need anything bigger for just myself, weekly groceries and a cavoodle.

Robyn, Clayton

The venerable Toyota Corolla is indeed still available Robyn and it has come a long way in 20 years. The new-generation model has just launched and it is packed with features the designers of your model could only have dreamt of, including autonomous emergency braking, lots of comfort features and the latest in safety systems so your son will approve.

Even though it is still called the Corolla, like all vehicles, it has increased in size and if you need to fit it in a small garage for example, you might consider a smaller option such as the Yaris.

But the most important piece of advice we can offer applies to anyone looking to upgrade a vehicle they have owned for many years. Don’t just drive the new version of your model, drive as many alternatives and rivals in the same segment as you can. In the ensuing two decades, ALL vehicles have improved immeasurably and if you only drive the new Corolla you’ll have no idea how it compares with many good new cars.

If you can, find time to drive the Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato, Volkswagen Golf, Mazda 3, Citroen C3, Holden Barina, Ford Focus, Renault Clio and Skoda Rapid - or at least a selection to give you a better understanding what modern cars can offer. And if, after all that, you find the Toyota is still the one for you, then congratulations. We think it has never been better.

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