I moved from a mid-size 2000 Mercury Sable LS Premium to the compact-size Corolla (2014 LE Plus) Have had it about 2 1/2 months and nearing the 1,000 mile mark. Actually, although the Corolla is a compact, there is actually more room inside than the Sable , especially front and rear legroom. The interior is also more upscale and the seats are more comfortable than the leather seating in the Sable. There seems to be a lot more attention to details. Especially in the seats and trim-cloth upholstery and trim much nicer than the hard plastic. The instrument panel is the best looking part of the interior IMHO. Usable luggage space seems about the same. All in, seems like I didn't downgrade but actually upgraded and so far getting 28-30 MPG all in town with only about 25% freeway driving, rest is stop and go and a lot of waiting at red lights. That is about 10 MPG better than the Sable. Only downsize is the ride is a bit firm, but the car is also much quieter around town than the Sable. Someone has said "The Corolla is the Lexus of Compacts ". I think they are spot on and not too far off the mark.
Update: We are planning a trip to California August 26-September 6. I am hoping to do an update on "3000 Mile Road Test."If the Corolla is anything like it is in city driving, I will be highly impresed even more.