Toyota

Corolla

Toyota recently launched the 12th generation version of its ever-popular five-door Corolla. And now they have really raised the bar with new advanced hybrid technology that adds extra power to the mix while delivering improved efficiency along the way.

The good

Hybrid technology at its very best. Great looks and excellent handling.

The bad

The price of the world's most recognised car has certainly crept up.

Tech Specs

Price from

£30,210

Combined Fuel up to

64.2mpg

0-62 from

7.4 seconds

max speed up to

112mph

co2 from

98g/km

Test Drive

Toyota Corolla – First Drive (2023)

Toyota has really raised the bar with a refresh to its 12^th generation Corolla that sees some design tweaks, a completely upgraded infotainment set-up, more advanced safety kit and, perhaps most importantly, an all-new hybrid system.

It’s the first car in the UK to feature the company’s fifth-generation hybrid-electric technology which introduces extra power to the mix while delivering improved efficiency along the way.

The Corolla is the world’s best-selling car and is available in the UK in Hatchback or Touring Sport estate body styles. The five-door, five-seater model is now offered in a slimmed down trim line-up called Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport – the Icon Tech and Trek versions being withdrawn.

The other choice customers need to make is which self-charging hybrid unit to go for. There is a 1.8-litre system that delivers 140hp or a larger 2.0-litre engine offering 196hp. And prices range from £30,210 for the five-door hatchback in Icon trim level powered by the 1.8-litre hybrid electric unit.

Toyota believes 80 per cent of customers will choose the Corolla in hatchback guise and 80 per cent will also select the smaller 1.8-litre hybrid unit.

With that in mind, we decided to test out the Corolla Hatchback in dynamic GR Sport specification, costing £32,990 and powered the all-new 1.8-litre hybrid system, which sees a compact new battery pack that is 14 per cent lighter than its predecessor but can deliver 14 per cent more power.

The total power output is 138bhp and it has 142Nm of torque, allowing the vehicle to reach from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds (1.8 seconds faster than its predecessor). It has a top speed of 112mph and can deliver a combined 60.1mpg with carbon emission of 105g/km under WLTP testing.

One thing about the latest Corolla that is very noticeable is its sharper responses when put to the test. The CVT automatic transmission has been upgraded and together with the new hybrid technology, the car is far more rewarding to drive.

It feels perfectly balanced when fizzing through the country lanes with no sign of body sway and it is composed on motorways where it cruises with ease at 70mph.

In busier city centres, the all-round visibility is a bonus and the car’s agility is another welcome factor.

The CVT is less vocal when pushed on and the acceleration is quicker with plenty of power on tap to overtake. The steering is perfectly weighted with ample driver feedback and there are modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that change the reactions of the car, along with a B mode to increase the level of energy recouped when braking.

Toyota claims that about 80 per cent of most owners day-to-day driving will be completed in electric-only power thanks to the latest self-charging hybrid unit. And that claim was pretty much proven during our test drive that featured some fast roads, lanes, motorways and lots of stop and start city driving. At the end of the route, we had completed 66 per cent of the drive in electric power and were seeing an average 60mpg.

The Corolla has always been a dynamically designed car and Toyota has increased the appeal with new light clusters (front and back), snazzier wheel designs and fresh-looking grille treatments. These compliment the existing styling cues such as the streamlined body, tinted windows, sloping roof and twin exhaust pipes. Our car also featured some GR Sport badging and design traits.

Moving inside, that GR Sport theme is just as apparent with red contrast stitching to the black leather seats, doors, gear lever and steering wheel.

In addition, there is a new 10.5-inch multimedia display (increased from seven inches) and a striking 12.3-inch digital driver display (eight inches on the outgoing model). The old system had come in for quite a lot of criticism so it’s great to see Toyota has listened to customer feedback and acted accordingly. The new set-up is faster and far more driver-focused.

On-board tech is comprehensive too with sat nav, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, over-the-air software updates, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus plenty more besides.

When it comes to practicality, the Corolla is an appealing family hatch with bundles of space up front for the driver and passenger to stretch out. Back seat occupants are not quite so lucky with quite limited leg and head room. But this car would be fine for a trio of youngsters to sit happily enough.

The boot on the Corolla Hatchback can hold 361 litres of luggage (313 litres on the 2.0-litre version), while Touring Sport models can swallow 596 litres (581 litres on 2.0-litre versions). The storage capacity on all cars is increased considerably with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

Elsewhere, there are a number of handy compartments scattered throughout the cabin, including a glovebox, a central cubby, seat back pockets, cupholders, trays and door bins.

Toyota has also increased and improved the safety systems on the latest Corolla. The pre-collision system has been totally upgraded and there are a number of new features now included as standard across the range.

All in all, the latest Corolla is anything but a mild mid-life facelift. It introduces a wealth of new tech, looks more striking and is more fun and efficient to drive. Another plus-point is the fact the vehicle is completely built here in the UK.

Test Drive

Toyota Corolla GR Sport 2.0 Hatchback (2022)

It seems unimaginable to cease production of a vehicle that lays claim to being the ‘best-selling car in the world’ but that is what Toyota did – in sorts.

The Japanese car maker removed the Corolla from its UK line-up back in 2006 and although it was replaced by the very capable and almost identical Auris, a name is a name and the public loved Corolla.

And so to the delight of its loyal fanbase, the Corolla made a comeback in 2019 and has gone on to add to the incredible volume of sales globally which stood at 46 million units back then.

Today’s Corolla, which is in its 12^th generation, is a neatly styled, eye-catching five-door model with plenty of pizzazz. Built on the same platform as the C-HR, its dynamic to drive, packed with tech and as safe as they come.

First impressions are vital and the Corolla certainly ticks all the right boxes with sporty streamlining, a large blacked-out grille, sweeping LED light clusters with smart daytime running lights, dark tinted privacy glass, twin tailpipes, a sloping roofline and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Moving inside, the interior is modern, clutter-free and deceptively spacious. Creature comforts are plentiful and include an eight-inch high-definition infotainment screen with navigation, voice assisted six-speaker audio system, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, intelligent park assist and lots more besides.

The part-leather upholstery looks upmarket and the seats, which can be heated, offer excellent levels of comfort even on longer journeys. You do sit quite low to the ground, but the all-round visibility is still good.

The Corolla as tested in dynamic GR Sport guise, was priced at £31,205 and powered by a lively 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engine delivering 181bhp. It was matched to a CVT transmission and could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 8.1 seconds and maxed out at 112mph. According to figures under WLTP testing, the Corolla can deliver a combined 51.3-53.3mpg with carbon emissions of 121g/km.

When it comes to performance and handling, the Corolla is a delight to drive with nice sharp responses. It is grippy through the country lanes with no sign of body sway and can cruise effortlessly at 70mph on motorways. The steering is nicely weighted and the car is agile in busier town centre settings,

There are drive modes to flick through called Eco, Normal and Sport that alter the vehicle’s responses and in Sport mode the instrumentation gets a nice red glow too. There is also an EV mode which switches the car to pure electric power if there is sufficient charge available.

As with all CVT boxes, if the Corolla is driven with a particularly heavy right boot, then the transmission will get a tad vocal, but in all honesty, the car offers ample zip and acceleration without being too aggressive.

All the controls, dials and readouts are ideally positioned for ease of access and I really liked the separate panel for anything concerning the climate control. It’s far less distracting than having to navigate round a drop-down, touchscreen menu simply to increase the cabin temperature.

There is ample space within the Corolla for a couple of adults to sit comfortably in the back or a trio of youngsters. Narrow rear windows and the sloping roofline will make it feel a little claustrophobic to taller passengers and the knee room can be compromised if the front seats are pushed back too far. But this is the norm for vehicles in this sporty segment.

The boot is well-sized and can swallow 581 litres of kit which increases further with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat and there are a number of handy storage options throughout the car too, including door bins, a glovebox, trays, cup holders, a central cubby box and seat back pockets.

Another huge selling point for the Corolla is its extensive range of safety equipment and driver assistance aids with Toyota Safety Sense as standard. This introduces a pre-collision system, full-range adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, sway warning and road sign assist.

In addition, the car has Isofix child seat fixtures, traction control, stability control, hill-start assist, tyre pressure warning and a full suite of airbags.

All in all, it’s so good to see the ever-popular Corolla gracing the UK roads again. And surely this is the perfect proof of the: ’if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ saying.

Test Drive

Toyota Corolla 2.0 Hybrid Excel

Oh, I do enjoy a good comeback and that’s certainly the case with the all-new Toyota Corolla – the world’s best-selling car to date.

To be totally honest, Toyota replaced the Corolla with the Auris back in 2006, but now it’s about turn time. The Auris is gone and the Corolla is back with very high hopes of building on the 46 million global sales it has notched up over the years.

The 12th generation car is built on the same platform as the C-HR and Prius models. It has shed some pounds, is lower to the ground and it boasts improved aerodynamics. So, what’s not to like about new Corolla which is more dynamic to drive and cheaper to run?

From any angle, the Corolla is a stunner, especially in five-door hatchback guise. It boasts sumptuous curves, a sweeping roofline, rising waistline, front and rear LED lights, a rear spoiler and 18-inch alloys.

Move inside and you are greeted with a thoroughly modern cabin and our range-topping Excel model was packed to bursting with techno treats to explore along the way. There is the highly acclaimed Toyota Touch 2 with Go navigation system, heated sports seats, automatic dual zone air conditioning, Bluetooth, a reversing camera plus front and rear parking sensors. A smart eight-inch touchscreen is positioned at the top of the dashboard, but on the downside, no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto although Toyota has announced plans to introduce this facility.

The Corolla Excel, which costs £29,075, is powered by a potent 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engine with CVT transmission and it could complete the 0-62mph dash in a very respectable 7.9 seconds before topping out at 112mph. According to official WLTP figures, this car can deliver a combined 50.4-54.3mpg with carbon emissions of 89g/km.

You sit low to the ground in the Corolla Hatchback so it feels quite sporty – and the performance certainly matches the styling with sharp handling and blisteringly quick acceleration. The road holding is ultra grippy meaning bends can be attacked with confidence and any body sway is barely noticeable even at higher speeds.

You can toggle through different drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that alter the manner in which the car behaves, and the instrumentation changes accordingly with the Eco setting gaining a green glow while the Sport mode rather appropriately turns the dials red.

With its instant power, the car is very quick off the mark and it can cruise effortlessly at the national speed limit on motorways. The all-round visibility is good but not great with quite small door mirrors and a narrow rear window. But parking is made simpler thanks to the camera, sensors and the intelligent park assist system fitted to the car.

Comfort levels are good for anyone sitting up front. If, however, you’re relegated to the back, then leg and head space is a tad restricted. But it is fine for youngsters or a couple of adults on a shorter journey.

The boot has a decent capacity that ranges from 361 to 1,052 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat. And anyone looking for more storage space might want to consider the Corolla Touring Sports model with a boot that can swallow up to 1,606 litres of kit.

When it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating the new Corolla secured a maximum five stars. It has a whole host of safety features, including Toyota’s Safety Sense which includes a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, sway warning, auto high beam and road sign assist.

This safety kit was complemented by vehicle stability control, traction control, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and a full suite of airbags.

All in all, the new Toyota Corolla has made a very welcome return. It does face stiff competition from the likes of the VW Golf and Ford Focus, but people like familiarity and the Corolla is famed for being the most recognisable car in the world. That, together with the incredible sales figures should hold it in good stead for a healthy future, however strong the opposition.

Test Drive

Toyota Corolla – first drive (2019)

When Toyota pulled the plug on the Corolla for European markets and replaced it with the Auris 12 years ago it was a move that was met with gasps of disbelief throughout the industry.

Yes, the Auris was a worthy model in its own right, but ditch the Corolla – Really? After all, it was the world’s most popular and most globally recognised car.

But, now it’s back and the all-new 12th generation Corolla is better than ever. Customers can choose from three body styles – Hatchback, Sedan (saloon) and Touring Sports (estate) along with four generously equipped trim levels called Icon, Icon Tech, Design and Excel.

And when it comes to powertrains, Toyota has thrown all its hybrid development and know-how at the Corolla with an improved 1.8-litre self-charging hybrid system developing 120bhp along with a new 178bhp 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid system. There is just one conventional engine option which is a 1.2-litre 114bhp petrol unit.

New Corolla is built on Toyota’s TNGA GA-C platform which is already being used for the C-HR and Prius models and it allows plenty of scope for fine-tuning. In addition, there has been a reduction in weight and height, along with improved aerodynamics, so the Corolla looks more appealing and delivers better fuel efficiency along the way.

Each version is distinctively designed and will have its own individual appeal to customers. For example, the Corolla Hatchback is the most dynamic in its styling with sporty curves, a sweeping roofline, rising waistline, contrast colour roof and a rear spoiler. The saloon is more sophisticated and elegantly crafted appealing to its own niche market with traditional four-door styling. And finally, the Touring Sports introduces all the estate-car practicality required for any active family with a boot that can swallow 1,606 litres of kit – that’s big enough for a 29-inch mountain bike to fit in without removing the saddle.

Move inside and the interior of each Corolla model is clutter-free but well equipped with an intuitive touchscreen, along with Toyota Touch 2 with Go navigation system as standard on all but the entry-level Icon model. There are heated seats (along with heated rear seats in the saloon), Bluetooth, DAB, automatic dual-zone air conditioning and lots more besides. At present, there is no facility for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but Toyota has confirmed this will be addressed later in the year.

The spacious interior has ample room for four or five adults to travel in comfort and the surroundings also impress with plenty of soft-touch surfaces, piano black and chrome trim, powered lumbar support, plus part leather upholstery on the Excel cars.

The Corolla is competitively priced with the entry-level Icon models, which are expected to account for just five per cent of sales, costing from £21,300. The Icon Tech is likely to be the most popular with Toyota predicting it will notch up 45 per cent of sales – this model costs from £22,350. The Design (20 per cent of sales) costs from £23,375 and the range-topping Excel (30 per cent of sales) starts from £27,345. The most expensive Corolla is the Touring Sports 2.0 Hybrid in Excel trim priced at £30,340.

We had the opportunity to test out the new Corolla in all three body styles in the glorious sunshine and on the fabulously smooth roads of Majorca. And it’s only when you drive each Corolla back-to-back that you realise how very different they all are. It was also the ideal opportunity to sample the latest hybrid technology from Toyota and, as is generally the case, it proved most impressive.

First up was the Corolla Hatchback powered by the new 2.0-litre hybrid engine. This car could reach 62mph from a standing start in a very respectable 7.9 seconds, maxing out at 112mph. According to more stringent WLTP figures, it can deliver up to 60mpg with CO2 of 106g/km.

Out on the faster twisting country lanes, the Corolla Hatchback was dynamic in its handling and a thrill to drive with instant power at your disposal to make light work of overtaking. Motorway driving was effortless and the car was well insulated against any engine, road surface or wind noise. There are driving modes called Eco, Comfort, Normal and Sport with the latter setting livening up the handling even further. It’s also worth mentioning how smooth the CVT on this car is with only a slight sign of whining noise if driven with a very heavy right foot.

Next up was the Sedan or as it will commonly be referred to on UK shores, the saloon. This car was powered by the upgraded 1.8-litre hybrid engine and could complete the 0-62mph sprint in 11.0 seconds, maxing out at 112mph. It could achieve up to 65mpg with carbon emissions of 100g/km (WLTP).

This seemed the most grown up member of the Corolla family and delivered a very smooth and refined driving experience. It can be pushed hard into bends with confidence and the road holding is assured. Once again, the cabin was beautifully hushed against any noise intrusion and just like the hatchback, all the controls and dials are easy to use and adjust on the move. Although Toyota believes the saloon model will only account for about five per cent of sales, it will have its own appeal to customers wanting the sleek four-door design and a ‘proper’ boot.

Finally, the Touring Sports was put through its paces and this car featured the 2.0-litre hybrid unit. It could reach from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds and had a maximum speed of 112mph, delivering combined fuel economy up to 60mpg with CO2 figures of 106g/km (WLTP).

Despite its larger dimensions, the estate version of the Corolla performed admirably and brings plenty of practicality to the mix. Toyota engineers have worked tirelessly to increase the insulation as estate models are renowned for being noisier due to their size. It would seem they have achieved their goal as the cabin remains beautifully hushed unless the car is driven at maximum motorway speeds and even then you need to listen out for any echoing sounds.

The general handling of the estate car really impressed and the all-round visibility is excellent, as it was on all three models.

The Corolla also boasts a whole host of safety features including pre-collision system, lane departure alert, automatic high beam, sway warning, lane keep assist, a new night-time pedestrian detection system, a new day-time cyclist detection system and plenty more besides making it the complete package.

The Corolla started out in life way back in 1966 and since then more than 46 million cars have been sold globally. Now, it’s back in the UK again to replace the outgoing Auris and it’s guaranteed to continue making an impact across the hatch, saloon and estate sectors.