Sure, bread has been the saving grace for many of us and can be used in numerous ways, but it’s not something that really stands out. Today though, things have changed and like modern bread, with different flavours and varieties, Toyota has introduced the all-new Corolla which it claims is both exciting and interesting. I, therefore, headed down to Cape Town recently to find out if the right ingredients have been used.
A change of branding
It is worth noting that until recently, hatchback versions of the Corolla have been sold under different names locally, namely RunX and more recently, Auris. While the latter, until last year, applied to the newcomer, Toyota has opted to stick with its most recognisable name but with a brand-new design.
It carries the same design language as the C-HR in that it features angles and bulges in all the right places. The front end is eye-catching with its shark-like grille, chrome-details and slim LED headlights that cut into the front bumper. The new Corolla looks, and I can’t believe that I’m about to say this, sporty. It is now low slung, has noticeable character lines down the side and at the rear, thin LED taillights. The design is decidedly revolutionary for the Corolla nameplate.
What about the interior?
I had my reservations about the interior seeing as most of the effort had been spent on the exterior, however, once I opened the door, my fears were put to rest. The interior looks modern; the dashboard design is ergonomic and stylish with the most noticeable feature being the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dashboard.
Other elements I like, is the fact that the dashboard has soft-touch materials, red stitching and dual-zone climate control. There is a USB port and Bluetooth but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I also like the new instrument cluster which features a 4.2-inch TFT display.
One of the highlights for me though are the seats. On the top-spec model, the Corolla gets sports bucket seats with a fixed headrest that resemble those of certain Mercedes-AMG models. Those on the base versions are however more basic. I will admit that the boot is on the small side at 294-litres, albeit as a result of Toyota fitting a full-size spare wheel, though overall interior space is ample. This is thanks to the fact that the Corolla is 40mm longer, 30mm wider and 25mm lower than the model it replaces.
The drive
As it is built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform also used by the Prius, certain Lexus models and the C-HR, the Corolla comes with the same engine as the latter in the form of the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol that makes 85kW/185Nm. The sole engine option available for now, it comes connected to either a six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching technology, or a brand-new 10-step CVT dubbed Direct Shift by Toyota.
One of the best of its kind, the ‘box features a fixed first gear to improve take-off and comes with three driving modes; Eco, Normal and Sport. It is a setup that works remarkably well and is further highlighted by a compliant ride and fuel consumption from 6.1-litres/100km.
Verdict
After spending two days with the new Corolla hatch, I can confirm that the car is no longer as interesting as a slice of bread. It has modern styling, a classy, well-built interior and most importantly, a turbocharged engine. It delivers a decent ride quality and has a host of standard features that will ensure you have a comfortable and entertaining drive. The car offers all the must-have safety features that one expects, and Toyota offers it as standard with a three-year/100 000 km warranty and a six-service/90 000 km service plan.
Pricing
Corolla Hatch 1.2T Xs- R336 800
Corolla Hatch 1.2T Xs CVT - R347 400
Corolla Hatch 1.2T Xr CVT - R367 100
