The Toyota Corolla wants no introduction…
Notice:Â That is an up to date model of a evaluate first printed in June, as there have been no main modifications to pricing for specification prior to now six months since publication, bar the discontinuation of petrol fashions.
We now have up to date key particulars corresponding to pricing and specs with the freshest info out there. Learn the unique model right here
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hatch ZR Hybrid
Just like the Volkswagen Golf, it’s a kind of automobiles everybody recognises. Till not too long ago it had a stint because the world’s hottest automobile – some 50 million have been produced for the reason that nameplate’s introduction again within the Nineteen Sixties.
Chances are high your mother and father owned one, you’ve owned one, otherwise you’ve a minimum of ridden in a single – as of late so many are used as Uber’s, you’d be residing below a rock for those who hadn’t had some kind of expertise.
It stays one in all Australia’s hottest automobiles, which is admirable given the state of the market. Passenger automobiles simply aren’t in favour, although the Corolla nonetheless manages to constantly clinch a spot within the prime 10 of the VFACTS gross sales charts each month.
Right here on check we now have the Toyota Corolla Sedan Ascent Sport Hybrid, probably the most inexpensive model of the Japanese model’s small sedan with electrified energy.
It’s no secret the Corolla’s fame for dependability and effectivity are key drivers for its reputation, however it’s at all times good to revisit a household favorite as extra rivals come into market.
Greater than ever, gamers like Toyota are below assault from Chinese language challengers. This Corolla Sedan, for instance, is about then similar value drive-away as an all-electric GWM Ora ($35,990 D/A).
Not direct rivals on paper, however as we’ve seen of late Australian prospects cross-shop some odd matchups. Does the Corolla Hybrid nonetheless should be a prime decide?
How does the Toyota Corolla evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota Corolla in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Toyota
Corolla
How a lot does the Toyota Corolla value?
Just like the Corolla Hatch, the Corolla Sedan is now hybrid solely. This base Ascent Sport Hybrid begins proceedings at $32,110 plus on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid hatch | $32,110 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid sedan | $32,230 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla SX Hybrid sedan | $34,920 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla SX Hybrid hatch | $35,260 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch | $39,100 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid sedan | $40,260 |
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
What’s the Toyota Corolla like on the within?
The Corolla is already an economic system automobile and in base spec is suitably primary inside, if useful and solidly constructed.
It’s not exhausting to see the place Toyota has saved cash on this fleet-focused specification, from the exhausting door plastics to the untrimmed urethane steering wheel – it’s all primary, however it nonetheless works.
Ergonomics are sound and general consolation is fairly good. The fabric seats are supportive and adjustable sufficient, and the compact steering wheel feels good, and has the requisite controls which might be tremendous simple to get your head round.
Clearly a concentrate on simplicity and performance has been employed right here, and every little thing simply works as you’d anticipate with out a lot aptitude or fanfare. That’s all many will ever want.
Whereas there’s the next ratio of hard-wearing supplies and surfaces within the cabin of the Ascent Sport, every little thing feels effectively screwed collectively and constructed to final – maybe aside from the centre tunnel, which might shift barely when pressed or wobbled.
Forward of the motive force is a primary 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by dot matrix-style gauges for gas stage and engine temperature.
Whereas it’s not as swish because the 12.3-inch full-digital panel within the ZR, a model of this show is customary on numerous Lexus fashions that value two or thrice as a lot – riddle me that.
It’s a color show with just a few customisable parts, and does the job simply high-quality. Is it a patch on the digital cockpits in a Volkswagen Golf? Not fairly, however that’s not the purpose right here.
The 8.0 central touchscreen is operating Toyota’s newest interface and options customary navigation within the hybrid, along with wi-fi smartphone mirroring. All of it labored flawlessly throughout our time with the automobile.
As we’ve famous in Toyota and Lexus critiques previous the software program is fairly primary however simple to make use of, and on this entry-level grade is greater than becoming for the cash. If something, it’s one of many extra premium touches.
You additionally get a complimentary 12-month subscription to Toyota Linked Companies which brings performance together with SOS emergency name, computerized collision notification, stolen automobile monitoring, and distant companies by way of the myToyota Join app. There are linked navigation capabilities too.
It’s a disgrace the preliminary free interval is simply 12 months, and Toyota fees between $9.95 and $12.50 monthly after that relying on the bundle you select. Different manufacturers provide 5 to seven years upfront.
Storage up entrance is fairly good, with loads of slots and cubbies to your odds and ends. I notably just like the phone-shaped cubby below the dashboard, although there’s no wi-fi charger on this trim.
When you’re planning to make use of the second row usually, the Corolla Sedan simply beats out the Corolla Hatch.
A part of that’s right down to the 60mm prolonged wheelbase, which opens up extra leg- and knee room. I’m 6’1 and undoubtedly observed the distinction behind my most popular driving place.
It’s in any other case fairly primary within the again, maybe moreso than the entrance. You lose rear air vents to greater grades and get a storage slot as a replacement, however there’s nonetheless a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.
ISOFIX and prime tether factors maintain the kiddies catered for too. Fundamentals lined, nothing extra and nothing much less.
The Corolla Sedan provides 470 litres of boot house, which is effectively up on the Corolla Hatch’s 217L. It’s immensely sensible for the category, and goes some method to explaining why you’d go for the sedan over the hatch.
The boot itself opens good and vast, making it easy to fit in awkwardly formed gadgets. An area saver spare lives below the boot flooring.
| Dimensions | Toyota Corolla Sedan |
|---|---|
| Size | 4630mm |
| Width | 1780mm |
| Top | 1435mm |
| Wheelbase | 2700mm |
| Boot capability (VDA) | 470 litres |
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
What’s below the bonnet?
The Corolla Hybrid was up to date in 2023 with the model’s fifth-generation hybrid expertise, encompassing a newly developed high-output motor generator, energy management unit, and downsized hybrid transaxle.
| Technical Specs | Toyota Corolla Sedan Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.8-litre 4cyl hybrid |
| Energy | 103kW – mixed |
| Torque | 142Nm – petrol engine solely |
| Transmission | CVT auto |
| Pushed Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1430kg (kerb) |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 3.9L/100km |
| Gasoline tank | 43 litres |
| Required gas | 91 octane common unleaded |
One other key improve was the introduction of a brand new lithium-ion battery instead of the outgoing nickel metallic hydride energy storage unit, which reduces weight by 14 per cent whereas growing each enter and output energy.
It must also imply the Corolla Hybrid can spend extra time in EV mode which helps increase effectivity. Because of this, the up to date mannequin provides extra energy and efficiency, whereas sustaining its predecessor’s benchmark effectivity claims.
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
How does the Toyota Corolla drive?
The Corolla Hybrid’s up to date drivetrain actually makes a distinction on the street.
Whereas its 103kW system output nonetheless is fairly meek in comparison with some turbocharged rivals, it’s noticeably extra keen than the outdated 90kW mannequin and the brand new electrified parts make this really feel extra, erm… electrified.
There’s extra low-end punch from the electrical motor and the Corolla appears happier to lean on e-power for longer, courtesy of hybrid bits which have confirmed themselves within the likes of the smaller Yaris.
You’ll be able to genuinely speed up off the road to 30 or 40km/h in EV Mode at reasonable tempo, and the automobile is extra eager to close off the petrol engine while you raise off the throttle because the speeds climb.
Even at 100km/h you’ll usually see the EV Mode indicator flash up on flat floor, making the Corolla Hybrid extra environment friendly on the freeway because the engine isn’t always buzzing away. We noticed it hover within the low 4.0L/100km throughout every week of combined circumstances, which is superb.
As earlier than, basic consolation and refinement are good. The Corolla rides actually properly on all street surfaces and that mixes properly with the correct and well-weighted driver controls.
It’s fairly a enjoyable factor to steer, with predictable response and buttery fluidity of a dearer automobile. It is a widespread takeaway I’ve had from just about each TNGA-based automobile I’ve pushed.
Maybe the place the Corolla is let down is street noise insulation. We observed a little bit of tyre roar notably over rougher patches of street – not a dealbreaker, however it’s a knock on an in any other case very succesful bundle.
No less than its aerodynamic form means it cuts by way of the air properly, so that you don’t get an entire lot of wind whistle over the entrance pillars or mirrors even at 100-110km/h.
The slick manoeuvrability interprets effectively to the city grind, making metropolis streets and automobile parks a cinch.
Gentle steering and first rate outward visibility make for a straightforward metropolis commuter, bolstered by the first rate reversing digicam.
Sadly, Ascent Sport variations of the Corolla Sedan miss out on blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, regardless of the previous being customary throughout all Corolla Hatch fashions.
The bottom Corolla is in any other case kitted out with a heap of help and lively security options, one thing not at all times anticipated of an entry grade.
Toyota’s adaptive cruise and Lane Hint Help have advanced in leaps and bounds from earlier iterations, and at the moment are a genuinely aggressive set of options.
The Corolla will keep a set velocity and distance from the automobile forward intuitively while additionally following freeway lane markings with out yanking all of a sudden on the wheel.
Additional, the usual LED headlights are good and shiny, and the visitors signal recognition doesn’t beep and bong at you always like some Korean competitors.
There’s a perform that has an annoying woman say “please obey all visitors rules” while you go over the detected restrict, however fortunately she will be turned off (and stored off) within the touchscreen.
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
What do you get?
The Corolla Ascent Sport is the entry grade in a three-tier trim stroll.
Corolla Ascent Sport tools highlights:
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display screen (Sedan)
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster display screen (Hybrid)
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite tv for pc navigation (Hybrid)
- Illuminated self-importance mirrors
- Rear seat reminder
- 6-speaker sound system
- Computerized bi-LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- LED daytime operating lights and tail lights
- Air-conditioning
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 60/40 split-fold rear seats with centre armrest
- Heated, power-folding mirrors
- Reversing digicam
- Toyota Linked Companies (12mth subscription)
- Spare wheel (Hybrid)
- Keyless entry and begin (Hybrid)
Comfort Pack ($1000) provides:
- Blind-spot monitoring (Sedan)
- Rear-cross visitors alert
- Entrance, rear parking sensors (Hatch)
-
ZR proven -
Corolla SX provides:
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
- Distant local weather management pre-conditioning
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, shifter
- LED fog lights
- Auto-folding aspect mirrors
- Keyless entry and begin
- Privateness glass
- Wi-fi cellphone charging
- USB charging port
- Electrical parking brake
- 7.0-inch driver cluster show
- Spare wheel
Corolla ZR provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- JBL sound system, 9 audio system
- Entrance sports activities seats
- 8-way energy driver’s seat incl. lumbar
- Leatherette seat accents (Sedan)
- Heated entrance seats
- Head-up show
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Ambient lighting
- Electrical sunroof (Sedan)
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
Is the Toyota Corolla protected?
The Toyota Corolla wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing carried out in 2018.
| Class | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 96 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 83 per cent |
| Weak street person safety | 86 per cent |
| Security help | 76 per cent |
Customary security tools consists of:
- 7 airbags incl. driver’s knee
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian, Bicycle owner, Motorbike detection
- Junction help
- Emergency steering help
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Lane Hint Help
- Visitors signal recognition
- Reversing digicam
SX and up add:
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
How a lot does the Toyota Corolla value to run?
The Corolla is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee – which extends to seven years on the engine supplied the automobile in response to the service schedule inside Toyota’s nationwide seller community.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Toyota Corolla Sedan |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres – automobile 10 years, limitless kilometres – hybrid driveline, conditional |
| Roadside help | $99 per 12 months |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | As much as 5 years or 75,000 kilometres |
| Whole capped-price service value | $245 per 12 months $1225 – 5 years |
Hybrid fashions stand up to 10 years of driveline guarantee protection “so long as you undertake your annual inspection as a part of routine upkeep in response to the automobile logbook”.
To see how the Corolla Hybrid shapes up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Corolla
The Corolla has at all times been a protected purchase, and this newest one undoubtedly doesn’t break custom.
It’s low cost, spacious, environment friendly, and ought to be endlessly dependable. There’s little marvel you see so lots of them on the street even in these SUV-hungry occasions, and why they’re a automobile of selection for fleet and rideshare operators spending hours behind the wheel.
Toyota’s New International Structure (TNGA) has afforded even its most elementary automobiles glorious dynamics and all-round competence on the street, and even the economy-chasing Corolla Hybrid is a eager steer. Not do automobiles chasing effectivity in any respect prices need to be boring to drive.
The Corolla Hybrid, no matter trim, stays a straightforward decide for these wanting probably the most cost-effective small passenger automobile to run, and the Corolla Sedan beats its hatchback sibling with higher rear house and a cavernous boot in relative phrases.
Whereas the SX and ZR trims provide fascinating luxuries for personal patrons, the Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid stays an awesome selection for fleets, and it’s a straightforward suggestion to make for these wanting low cost, primary transport. It’s a successful components that’s exhausting to beat.
Fascinated by shopping for a Toyota Corolla? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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