Preview: Toyota Corolla is preparing a big comeback
In 2006, Toyota decided that in Europe, to cater to younger, more dynamic buyers, it needed to take a step back from its global bestseller, the Corolla. Auris was created - technically on the same platform, but different. Much more European, while the Corolla remained a global car.
the car is the best
Twelve years later, Toyota says the Auris has done its job. He overcame the time it took Toyota to bring the Corolla to a level suitable for European customers who have higher standards than the rest of the world in some areas, especially materials, workmanship, noise levels.
The twelfth-generation Corolla (more than 20 million units sold in 12 years, of which 10 million in Europe) can meet these requirements after a short but accurate test during Autobest selection finalists. It was created on the new Toyota TNGA global platform (in the TNGA-C version), on which the new Prius and C-HR were also created. It is thus larger than the Auris, which is most evident in the TS station wagon version, which has a wheelbase XNUMX centimeters longer and, accordingly, more space in the rear seats, which were unusually stiff in prototypes and therefore no longer had diesel engines. ...
Instead of those that are becoming less and less popular in Europe, even for cars of this class, it has two versions of the hybrid drive. The new generation of the 1,8 horsepower 122-liter engine that we know from the C-HR and the new Prius is joined by a two-liter version. This one is capable of developing up to 180 "horses" and turns the hybrid Corolla into a very lively car that feels good even on the track. Also because the powertrain is different from the 1,8-liter hybrid version, as it can (when the car is in sporty driving mode) manually shift between six pre-set gears, making it a pleasure to drive, especially for those who are not used to to hybrid driving. to add some variety. By the way: the maximum speed at which the Corolla can only work on electricity is now 115 kilometers per hour. Apart from the two hybrids, it will also be available with the already well-known 1,2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, but Toyota says they will only sell about 15 percent of total sales.
The interior is also completely new, finished in terms of design and quality, and with a full assistance systems package (with active cruise control that also stops and starts the car), there is also a new infotainment system that is less advanced than the rest of the car and still a pretty fiddly variety and still doesn't know how to work with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto, which is really unusual at the moment - but it's true that Toyota is hinting they'll at least add this for the foreseeable future. Gauges can now be fully digital and the Corolla could also have a projection screen for the gauges.
And since we were able to test some of the latest competitors alongside the Corolla in the Autobest test, we got a slightly broader picture: yes, the Corolla is at least as good as most competitors at first glance and after the first few kilometers. ...
