Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

146 |AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

T

he new 12th-generation
Corolla hatch starts at
$22,870 for the 2.0-litre
petrol Ascent Sport six-speed
manual. A continuously variable
automatic (CVT) adds $1500 and
is standard in SX ($26,870) and
ZR, at $30,370.
A hybrid CVT drivetrain option,
which also adds $1500, is
available in each model grade.
The Corolla sedan, last updated
in 2017, continues with the
1.8-litre petrol engine. Prices start
at $23,490 for the 1.8 CVT Ascent.
The hybrid’s 1.8-litre petrol
engine/twin electric motor
generator/nickel metal hydride
battery powertrain in the new
Corolla hatch is based on the
Prius.
In city traffi c, expect the
hybrid to use about half the fuel
— about 4-5L/100km — of the
conventionally-powered 2.0-litre/
CVT Corolla. On the highway,
though, where the hybrid’s
engine is running all the time, it
loses its advantage. Our test car
drank 5.5L/100km at 100km/h in
Eco mode, whereas the 2.0-litre

petrol model was actually more

frugal, using 4.5-5.0L/100km at a

constant 100km/h.

Corolla hybrid’s CO² emissions

of 97 grams per kilometre are

by far the lowest in its class. At

$175 a time Corolla also has the

cheapest servicing in the class.

As the base model, Ascent

Sport gets a plastic steering

wheel, tinny audio and just one

each USB and 12-volt sockets.

Corolla’s infotainment features a

high-mounted 8-inch touchscreen,

voice control that works for all

functions and seamless Bluetooth

with email and SMS. Navigation

with live traffi c alerts adds $1000.

A supportive, well-bolstered

driver’s seat, complemented by

ample driving position adjustment

and an exceptionally quiet,

controlled, compliant ride make

this Corolla the most comfortable

to date. Tyre noise can intrude on

coarse bitumen, though.

Adult rear-seat passengers

continue to suffer restricted

legroom and tight access.

Minimal storage and no vents or

device connectors make the back

stalls a grim space, too, while the

boot is tiny for a car of this size.

Decent safety specifi cation,

long overdue in Corolla, is now

up with the class leaders at

this price point. Autonomous

emergency braking works across

the full speed range and includes

pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Adaptive cruise features

effective lane keeping, including

Mercedes-style lane centring that

can be hit and miss depending

on ambient light and the clarity

of road markings. Speed sign

monitoring and automatic high

beams are also standard.

Corolla’s 2.0-litre petrol

engine is a strong performer,

with more power — 125kW

— than most rivals, so it’s

pretty quick. Its relative lack of

bottom-end torque is effectively

masked by the responsive, well-

calibrated CVT, which hooks up

quickly and pins the revs where

you want them.

Toyota has been doing

mainstream hybrids for longer

than anybody else, and it shows

in Corolla’s beautifully refi ned,

effi cient, seamless operation,

accompanied by a strong, smooth,

turbo-style shove as high-voltage

torque kicks in. Overtaking is

quick and effortless.

In this class, everybody strives

to emulate the Golf’s sublime

ride/handling compromise.

Corolla now comes pretty close.

Independent rear suspension

is standard. This Corolla hatch

is agile, responsive, planted and,

yes, almost sporty, would you

believe, with a noticeably tighter

body and light, precise steering.

Corolla offers proven, effi cient

engineering, paired with

sophisticated safety technology, in

an affordable package that’s now

a more engaging drive, too. Tight

back seat and boot space may

make it hard to live with, though.

TOYOTA COROLLA FROM $22,870

Safety

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money



Overall



STARS

THINGS WE LIKE

 Punchy, frugal, refi ned petrol and

hybrid drivetrains

 Excellent ride/handling

compromise

 Strong safety specifi cation

 Stylish, reliable and well built

 Cheap servicing

 Comfortable driver’s seat

and effi cient, comprehensive

infotainment

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Tiny boot

Tight back-seat space

Short warranty

Tyre noise

SPEX (2.0 Ascent Sport CVT)

Made in Japan

2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol/CVT/

front-wheel drive

125kW of power at

6600rpm/200Nm of torque from

4400-4800rpm

0-100km/h N/A

5.1L/100km highway; 7.5L/100km

city; regular unleaded; CO²

emissions are 139gkm

Warranty: Five years/unlimited km

Standard: Seven airbags, stability

control, AEB, adaptive cruise, lane

keeping, speed sign monitoring,

camera, automatic high beams,

dual-zone air, automatic LED

headlights, keyless entry and

starting, heated side mirrors,

Bluetooth with sms and email,

voice control, 16-inch alloy wheels

Redbook future values: 3yr: 54%;

5yr: 41%

compare with ...

Ford Focus, Holden Astra, Honda

Civic, Hyundai i30, Mazda3, Subaru

Impreza, VW Golf

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