The Prizm and Corolla were last re-skinned in 1993. It was more than a cosmetic
change. Today's model is 2 in. longer, a half-inch higher and an inch wider. You'll
appreciate those numbers when you step inside. The Prizm feels surprisingly roomy for
a compact. Unless you've got a pair of 6-footers up front, determined to grab their
maximum legroom, you'll have no trouble fitting four people inside. It could get a
little cramped, though, trying to squeeze in three on the back bench seat. But that's
true of any car in this size class.
Speaking of seating, the front seats are fairly comfortable, though we thought
they could use a little more padding. It's a factor that might prove tiring after a
long trip. On the other hand, there's good lateral support, which means you won't go
bouncing around during any aggressive maneuvers.
The Prizm delivers a number of small surprise-and-delight touches, including the
60/40 split rear bench seat that comes standard on the LSi. That makes it easy for
active owners to load in their skis. Getting stuff into or out of the trunk is no
problem. The Prizm has a low liftover and the trunk is large and long.
Visibility is good all around. The roof pillars are small and unobtrusive, and the
windows are large.
As you'd expect from a Toyota (even one wearing a GM badge), interior fit and
finish are excellent and the choice of materials is solid, if uninspiring.
The instrument panel has a generic sort of look to it, but its gauges are large
and easy to read. Remember, this is an entry-level model, so almost everything is an
option. That includes the tachometer, something you may find useful if you stick with
the manual transmission that comes as standard equipment.
With the LSi, the model we tested, you'll get several other nice and very useful
touches, including a tilt steering wheel and a center console. There are plenty of
other options to dress up the otherwise Plain Jane interior, including the
surprisingly popular leather seat package.
The LSi's cloth seats (as distinct from vinyl in the base car) are treated with
Scotchgard, something parents with young children will appreciate. And they'll like
the optional built-in child safety seats, too.
Ergonomics, on the whole, are good, aside from the awkward location of the radio.
It's not only positioned down and out of the way, but recessed an inch into the dash.
And the volume knob has been moved to a point that we found almost impossible to reach
without leaning way out of the driver's seat.
The audio quality was quite good with our optional CD player package--significantly
better than the standard LSi sound system.
If safety is a serious concern--and it seems to be for most motorists these
days--the Prizm meets contemporary standards. Dual airbags are standard equipment, as
are daytime running lights, a feature GM plans to install on all its models. Antilock
brakes are optional, but we'd recommend them.
We took delivery of our Prizm on one of the coldest days of a very cold winter, so
we can say with assurance that the heating system is world class.
Despite its relatively modest pricetag, the Prizm boasts some sophisticated
features, such as its all-independent suspension. You'll find that translates into a
smooth, composed highway ride. The suspension is firm enough to feel the road, but
not so harsh you'll shudder through every pothole. It's interesting to note here that
the Corolla's ride is a trifle softer, and its handling not quite as sporty.
Power steering is an option, even on the upscale LSi, but one you'd be
well-recommended to consider. We did find that the car wanted to continue straight
ahead in hard cornering, a condition known as understeer that's present to some degree
in virtually all front-drive cars. Reduce speed, however, and the Prizm settles back
to the intended line without drama.
As we noted, there are two powertrain packages. The basic 1.6-liter 4-cylinder,
with its optional 3-speed automatic transmission, is an acceptable choice, but it's a
package we'd only recommend to someone on a tight budget. It's buzzy and you'll
actually get less fuel economy than you would with the larger engine mated to a
4-speed automatic.
Our test car came with the 1.8-liter engine. It's quieter and more
confidence-inspiring than the base engine, as well as faster. We're not just talking
about quick starts at a green light, but for merging into traffic on the freeway,
where some small cars are at a distinct disadvantage. About our only complaint is the
brash sound the engine makes under full acceleration. But the stiff Prizm body means a
minimum of overall road noise.
If you like a little more of a performance feel, the standard 5-speed manual
transmission should suit you just fine. Shifts are crisp, accurate and quick.