When the “Brad Pitt” model rolled out in 2001, the Altis offered a world-beating drivetrain and platform that had smoothness and NVH isolation a cut above the rest.  With almost no mechanical changes from that model, the same applies for the 2008 car.  In fact, despite facing much newer competition, the Altis is still king when it comes to quietness.  Firing up the engine, reveals a very hush-hush cabin.  You will hardly hear the thrumming of the VVTi-equipped engine.  Slotting the four-speed automatic through its gated shifter and heading off reveals a comfort-oriented ride.  Even with a non-independent rear suspension and bigger tires (an inch up to 16’s), it absorbs bumps well.  Maybe too well, as the Altis has the tendency to feel floaty on more than several occasions.

Toyota has never positioned the Corolla to be sporty, and the all-new one does away with any sporty pretensions.  Down 200-cc of displacement versus its main rivals, the Altis lacks the immediate punch, especially in going up places like Tagaytay.  Though the 1.8V has a sequential shift function, it certainly doesn’t act like one.  Slot the shifter to ‘S’, and the car will keep the revs up (similar to the previous model’s ‘Power ECT’ mode).  Push the lever up to say, ‘3’ (as in third gear), and the Altis will work through first to third gear, but will not engage fourth.  Put it in ‘2’, and the car will work through first and second gears only.  As a result, it’s more like an “overdrive off” than anything else.  The brakes though bitty, are offset by a very spongy pedal feel.  The electric power steering, providing a one-finger operation (an important ally during parking maneuvers) causes the Altis to nervously wonder about at highway speeds.

If you’re the type of person who can’t tell Michael and Ralf Schumacher apart, then the Altis will be more than enough car.  It putters around town perfectly well, with the front and rear proximity sensors a must when going through narrow side streets.  The lines of visibility are a bit old school, with the hood and trunk in clear view, so parking is never a chore.  And thanks to its 1.8-liter motor, this car does a very respectable 11.78 km/L.

And that’s perhaps the operative word with the all-new Corolla Altis—respectable.  This car plays too much of a subtle game.  Though the foundations are generally solid and the improvements here and there are welcome, it’s easy to dismiss the Altis as being too boring in its class.  Whereas Brad Pitt looked sexy cool back in 2001, Orlando Bloom looks simply, well, respectable.  And like Mr. Bloom, the Toyota Corolla Altis offers a respectable ownership experience for those who’re after respectable performance with a dash of respectable luxury.  Oh, and it’s probably worth mentioning that its price is also very respectable.

Though the interior design's lackluster, you can't deny that the quality's up a notch with the Altis.  It feels like a Camry in here.  We love the 'X' design climate control system.

Two hands on the steering wheel isn't just for show here. Thanks to an overboosted system, you'll need it to keep the Altis stable at high speeds.

Sequential shift override it isn't. It's more like a glorified overdrive off function.