Corolla is a name that carries behind its back more than 50 million cars. It is difficult, if not impossible, to find another vehicle on the market that has produced twelve generations since its launch in 1966. Now the best-selling car in history is renewed and we have come to Malaga to test the latest Toyota Corolla. It is coming to the market from 24,200 euros and we are going to tell you all its details.
The Corolla family is currently of the most complete What can we find. It is no longer so common for the same model to be divided into four bodies as is the case. It’s still available as a compact five-door, as a station wagon in the Touring Sports, and there’s also the Corolla Sedan. The Toyota Corolla Cross deserves special mention, a crossover that complete the family with the most sought-after bodywork and that will be an undoubted success.
Abroad
The truth is that outside the Toyota Corolla hardly receive changes compared to its predecessor. If we focus on the front, the truth is that we notice a mesh pattern for its grill and also new lighting. The headlights can now have Bi-LED technology and the fog lights are beveled, although their main forms are maintained. For the rest, the image remains quite dynamic and recognizable from any angle.
In the Toyota Corolla they could not miss new rim designs, which reach up to 18 inches. Neither are new tones that are inspired by current trends. The color palette It is completed with Graphite Gray in all bodies, in addition to Florida Blue for the compact and family car or Mediterranean Blue for the Sedan. They can be combined with the black roof to achieve the two-tone bodywork.
The back of the Toyota Corolla remains practically unchanged. It starts with a small roof spoiler on the hatchback and a small rear window. The LED taillights They maintain that recognizable shape, although they have been partially darkened to improve sportiness. In this regard, note that the model is offered with the GR Sport finish to get that extra bit of character while improving its equipment.
The measurements of this specimen do not change one iota. It is the same as the one my partner Luis tried in 2021, with a 4,370mm length, by 1,790 mm wide and 1,435 mm high. It also has the same 2,640 mm wheelbase, being squarely framed among the compact segment C.
Inside
He cockpit of the Toyota Corolla is one of the points that is most renewed with the update. Receive the latest in brand technology and improve points such as the user experience. He does it through a 10.5-inch main touch screen which has an anti-glare system that was necessary in the previous ones. It is easy to control due to its intuitiveness, but also due to the fact that connectivity has been improved. This copy has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as additional functions in the brand’s MyT application.
If we continue talking about technology, we cannot ignore the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, which is available in higher trims and which enhances the experience. It does so thanks to its advanced graphics and customization possibilities with four different modes: Casual, Smart, Sport and Tough. The controls of the air conditioning are maintained in analog formatmaking it clear that the model seeks to be easy to use by any type of user.
The quality is nothing to get excited about, but no one can blame him for being well done. The materials are mostly plastic, with some softer at the top and others coarser at the bottom. However, the construction is solid and there are no serious errors. At best, the Piano Black on the center console and around the screen could be blamed, although its presence is not the majority.
He Available space The Corolla has never been the strongest point either, at least the five-door. The front seats are more than enough, although the rear ones can be a little tighter. It complies for legroom, although it is behind other rivals in height and it is also recommended that do not go adults in the central square. There you will find a shapeless seat and a prominent transmission tunnel. Yes, there are air vents and a USB socket, along with another 12V one.
Trunk
The same problems that we saw in its interior habitability are repeated in the trunk. The Corolla is only available in a hybrid format and that means that this surface is affected by the electrical system. Approves 361 liters of capacity, which would be 313 liters in the most powerful version of the range. It is a figure more typical of a lower segment and makes most of its rivals surpass it in that regard.
Then we also see other benefits such as a wide loading mouth and not too high. There is some step to the floor and, under it, only space for an anti-puncture kit, since a spare wheel cannot be mounted on this copy. yes they could fold down the rear seats in two parts (60:40) to leave a completely flat surface.
Engine
In the Toyota Corolla we must mention a competitive advantage over other rivals if we take into account that it has a fully hybrid mechanical range. It comes in two versions with the fifth generation of the brand’s hybrid system. The first use is 140H, with a 1.8-liter engine and reaching up to 140 HP of power. Performance improves slightly, just like the one with the base 2.0-liter engine, which is the 200H and it goes up to 196 CV.
In both cases, the combustion engine is combined with a power control unit and a transaxle that have been renewed. They also incorporate a more powerful lithium ion battery and also 18 kg lighter, although the same CVT transmission that has been recalibrated to improve naturalness while driving is maintained.
Behavior
We get behind the wheel of the 140H, the version of access to the range. It uses the 1.8-liter engine as a base, always linked to an electrical system made up of the control unit (PCU), an electric transaxle, and a lithium-ion battery. In this case, it goes from 122 CV of the previous model to the 140 CV delivered by this one, an exemplary increase in power that makes it seem the most recommended option of the range. Although, before going into details, say that the noise has seemed high in this model, more because of the rolling noise than because of the engine.
The 140H maintains low emissions and consumption, increasing its performance. It feels faster and it really is. It is mostly noted for its acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, which is already much better than before. The 200H version is more capable, although it is more evident in its technical sheet than in reality. The maximum speed in both cases is 180 km/h, but It is not a fact that will be decisive in this copy.
It is more important the hybrid system refinement. It has nothing to do with the first ones that the Japanese firm had, which were characteristic of that slippage that was noticeable when accelerating and that the engine revved up without much reflection on acceleration. Now the planetary gear change is improved and there is no longer that annoying feeling. Deliver more torque from below and manages to maintain the speed at 500 rpm less than the previous one. We will always have that characteristic touch of Toyota hybrids, although it is much more natural.
In addition to refinement, one must mention the efficiency of the fifth generation of the hybrid system. Although it was a first contact, the truth is that we got really low consumption, around 4.5 liters in mixed routes. In fact, we saw how the EV mode was present in about 60% of the time, more than we could expect. It will depend slightly on the driving mode that we are wearing, as there are some differences between Eco, Normal and Sport; although they are not too many nor do they affect the chassis level.
Of the chassis of the Toyota Corolla it must be said that has a lot of potential. A base that is capable of giving life to an entire GR Corolla, no matter how much it is not sold in our market, it must be taken into account. It leaves a good taste in the mouth due to the fine-tuning of the suspensions (McPherson type front and double wishbone for the rear), which offer an obvious balance and leave a good taste in the mouth.
It’s a car more focused on comfort than to sportsmanship and this is noticeable in a slightly soft steering feel and with inaccurate braking. On the other hand, it must be said that the GR Sport in the 200H version are offered optionally with AVS suspension and its shock absorbers of variable hardness.
You also have to end the test by mentioning the new Proactive Driving Assist technologies. They are those that serve to adapt the operation of the hybrid system to the characteristics of the road and that take into account its conditions. That is why we will see how the system retains more when a curve or a roundabout comes, since it takes into account the navigation information to improve efficiency. We too will help brake when it detects a car ahead, something that is possible due to the incorporation of a good number of driving aids.
Opinion cars.com
It is difficult to evolve models with as much history as the Toyota Corolla. There is much to lose and little to gain, so they have opted for a very logical evolution that maintains the essence of the model. It is appreciated through the aesthetic touch-ups and the technological improvement of the interior. In fact, most notable are the new hybrid powertrains that increase power and improve performance. One more touch for that chassis that can withstand whatever it takes.
Among the main drawbacks of the Corolla would be the interior space, the trunk or that there are not many sports sensations. should also include a starting price slightly above average. It is understandable considering that it is only available in a hybrid format and with an ECO label. Even so, configuring a unit like the one tested or completing in the GR Sport, the price could go up to almost 40,000 euros. You have something cheaper at coches.com, along with the best VN, renting and financing offers.
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