[kube-system]

The modern Corolla, like most competitive cars, is a good, safe, high-quality, reliable car. These qualities aren't at odds with being "insipid". The Corolla interior feels utilitarian, its features are spartan, and the driving dynamics are... behaved.

It does exactly what a transportation device needs to do, and it does them quite well. However, neither excitement nor flavor were in the design criteria.

[catigula]

The characterization was still incorrect.

The Corolla has better implementations of modern features than the Mazda3, it's simply not as flashy.

[tristor]

> The Corolla has better implementations of modern features than the Mazda3, it's simply not as flashy.

As someone who owns and drives a 2024 Mazda 3 PP daily, and test drove and compares notes with my neighbor who dailies a 2024 Corolla XSE Hatch, I don't think this characterization is accurate at all. I have nothing against the Corolla, but the Corolla is lacking in /many/ ways compared to the Mazda3.

One simple example is that my Mazda3 has a heads up display that puts car safety system data, turn-by-turn navigation (from android auto or apple carplay or built-in nav), speed data, and vehicle data into the HUD so I never need to look down at the dash.

Another example is that while the Mazda3 has a touchscreen in the center console, there are physical controls for every functionality with good tactility and Mazda has chosen to disable the touchscreen once you exceed 5MPH (by default), ensuring you aren't distracting yourself using a touchscreen while on the highway.

As to all those automated safety systems, most of those are government mandated and every car has them. I do agree that Toyota does a better job than most manufacturers, but to my knowledge there is not a single system on my neighbor's 2024 Corolla that isn't also on my 2024 Mazda3...

Where the Corolla wins in my opinion is actually its simplicity. The Mazda3 has too much effort in its interior, but also somehow not quite enough, and it ends up with it being very comfortable to drive except it sometimes has rattles in panels, which is not a very premium experience. The Corolla has a much more basic interior, very bog standard, but it's also flawless in executing being bog standard.

As far as driving dynamics, it's no contest, the Mazda3 is significantly better. The only Corolla with great driving dynamics is the GR Corolla, but that's really a completely different sort of car.

[kube-system]

The word "insipid" doesn't really have anything to do with being a "good implementation" or not.

[catigula]

Right, which is why you're focusing on it rather than the two other claims made.

>lacking in refinements compared to competitors like the Mazda3, and made for people who just see it as a way to get from point A to point B.

Of course, I also disagree that it is insipid, that's also inaccurate vis-a-vis modern Toyota, but that's a different discussion.

[kube-system]

In context, it appears they are using the word “refinement” to refer to enthusiast taste. They’re not saying Toyotas are crude vehicles. Your opinion notwithstanding, their statement is very supportable, both in industry reviews and in both brands own value proposition.