Already on sale in the United States and Australia, the twelfth generation of Toyota’s iconic compact that originally bowed as the Auris at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, will go on sale in the UK with a choice of four trim levels and three engine options, the latter pair being a hybrid affair. The recently unveiled sedan meanwhile will go on sale next year as an indirect replacement for the recently discontinued Avensis.

Starting the range off, the Icon comes with items such as an eight-inch touchscreen display, 16-inch alloy wheels auto on/off LED headlights, a two-inch TFT instrument display, heated front seats and a reverse camera, while the next step-up Icon Tech adds a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster, satellite navigation, rear parking sensors and Intelligent Park Assist.

Sitting in the middle, the Design comes with 17-inch alloys, folding electric mirrors, rain sense wipers, LED fog lights and an optional panoramic roof, while at the sharp-end, the Excel boasts 18-inch alloys for the hatch with the estate keeping the 17s, partial leather sport seats, bi-LED headlights, keyless entry/go and from the options list, a JBL sound system, panoramic sunroof and a hatch exclusive two-tone paint finish.

Riding on the same TNGA platform as the C-HR, Prius, new RAV4 and Camry, the Corolla’s range of powerunits starts off with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol that makes 85kW and which is teamed to a six-speed manual gearbox. In this form, only the Excel trim is omitted.

Replacing the various diesel engines, the entry-level hybrid combines its electric motor with a 1.8-litre petrol for a total output of 90kW, which is sent to the front wheels via the new 10-step Direct Shift CVT. Unlike the traditional petrol, the smallest hybrid option can be specified across the Corolla range. Limited to the Design and Excel, the flagship hybrid’s electric motor joins-up with the new 2.0-litre Dynamic Force petrol to output 132kW, again transmitted to the front wheels via the aforementioned CVT.

While Toyota South Africa has so far not made any indication as to when the Corolla would become available, chances are that it will happen early next with only the hatch and sedan set to arrive, likely with the option of the aforementioned 1.2, a 96kW normally aspirated 1.6, the 125kW non-hybrid 2.0-litre Dynamic Force available in Australia and the United States and possibly the entry-level hybrid.

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