Auto News 5

Seven years. Barring the extended lifespan of the original New Beetle, Volkswagen officials say their products have a shelf life of seven years before an all-new replacement arrives on the market. Following that formula, the VW Tiguan, which launched in 2008 as a 2009 model, isn't due to be completely overhauled until 2015.

When all people demanded from small cars was low cost, fuel economy, and reliability, the Corolla was superlative. But to get in one today is to realize how much the bar has been raised in the segment since the Corolla's heyday. The interior is well finished, blessedly easy to use, and the cloth upholstery is better than most, but amenities are sorely lacking. There's no attempt to make this cabin seem anything more than basic; it's utterly devoid of style. The latter comment applies to the exterior as well. There's really nothing beyond rational measures to make you want this car. You certainly won't be eager to get in and drive it, what with its loose and sloppy steering. And even by coldly rational measures, the aging Corolla is beginning to slip. That's particularly the case in fuel economy, where fresher competitors with more modern, 5- and 6-speed transmissions, direct-injected and/or turbocharged engines now leave the Corolla behind. The Corolla continues to be very popular, and its resale value is excellent, but both of those characteristics look vulnerable as buyers discover more capable, more exciting competitors.