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Toyota recently launched their 11th generation Corolla Altis and it is a pretty well-resolved car. Since this 1.6-litre sedan category is such a hotly-contested segment, we thought it would be nice to have a second opinion of the Corolla Altis comparing with some of its closest rivals… Kia Forte K3 1.6 First up, our recent Sedan of the Year winner, the Forte K3. Despite being launched last year, the car still looks pretty darn fresh. No surprises given that the Koreans have been producing cars that are almost guaranteed to look good without burning a big hole in your wallet. At press time, it is almost 10 grand lesser than the rest while being the most well equipped. It also felt like it had the most room among the others. However, all is not that well when you start driving. Steering, while being the sharpest and most direct, feels slightly artificial. I wasn't too sure I liked the variable steering weight system also as I found myself changing between ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ every now and then. I couldn't find fault with the ride and grip level were as good as the rest. Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI DSG Personally, I have always found the Jetta to be a handsome car. So it took me by surprise when I thought it didn’t look as sharp as it had always been to me when we parked the cars side by side. Having sampled the Jetta over quite a few miles couple of years ago, it felt good to be back behind the wheel of one. The chassis feels stable, steering reassuring and engine strong. Just like how I remembered. However, unlike then, age has ruthlessly caught up and the interior is starting to feel a little bland as compared to the other two. Not having much equipment on board hurts its scorecard too. Glad to report interior space is more than adequate and overall, the car feels a notch better in quality than the rest. Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 The Corolla Altis. I’m sure most people should have driven or sat in one at least once in their lifetime. I spent most of my teenage years in one and not once did it break down. It was never the fastest nor the best-looking but it was loyal and dependable. Coming to the latest one, I must say Toyota has definitely upped its game and gave it a great looking face. I would even go as far as saying the Toyota is the most handsome one here. Moving inside, the car has grown quite abit and build quality is much improved. Equipment levels are acceptable too. On the move, the Toyota is the quietest and feels lively. Comfort level is definitely on par or better compared with the rest in this segment. Its new Super Continuously Variable Transmission with Intelligence is also worth commending for not being like most whiny CVTs in lesser cars. If you have yet to read our comparison story between the Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 and its rivals, click here.

It’s all too easy to be over-critical of a mundane vehicle and overindulgent of a luxury model, which is why I always remind myself that we should respect each and every automobile that comes our way for what it is – regardless of brand, positioning, price tag or horsepower. Not every car is meant to tackle corners, or possesses the dexterity to rival a parkour exponent; neither is every car a born sprinter. Some are made with comfort as their top priority, for instance, while others provide a no-frills option for budget constrained consumers. I always believe that we get what we pay for, and we pay for the “car-racteristics” we value the most. At the end of the day, comparisons between competing products have to be objective, and the shopper’s expectations must be realistic. The same philosophy applies to children. As parents, we should respect each child as a unique individual and appreciate him/her for all of his/her virtues and shortcomings. However, this is easier said than done because parents, just like motoring journalists, are human after all, and humans are by nature susceptible to favouritism, prejudices and preconceived ideas. My daughter may only be two years old, but she already exhibits certain personality traits we can “project” into her teenage years. Some of these we are happy about, such as her pleasant disposition, meticulousness and sense of responsibility, but other traits we are less accepting of, such as her stubbornness and impatience. The dilemma for me is: Should we try to influence and change her based on what we think is best, or should we just allow her to grow into the person she is meant to be? It’s even more challenging for parents with more than one child, I reckon. I sometimes put myself in the shoes of these mums and dads, and I imagine how difficult it must be for them to always try to be fair to their brood and refrain from comparing one with the other, even if they love them all equally. I will not even begin to discuss how parents often compare their kids with the latter’s classmates, especially on exam results. Young parent Lynn says she could use an “owner’s manual” stashed handily somewhere inside her daughter’s stroller. This article was written by Lynn Tan, freelance writer for Torque.

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