Full specifications and pricing for the 2019 Toyota Corolla range have been announced, the new generation of Australia's best-selling passenger car arrives with a starting price of $22,870 plus on-road costs.
Previously, the Corolla range opened at $20,190 plus on-roads, meaning the price of entry has risen by $2780. A fleet-friendly base variant will no doubt be available in due course.
The new Corolla is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform which also underpins the new Camry and C-HR. It features a lower centre of gravity, multi-link rear suspension and more rigid body shell. Toyota says the new platform will deliver better handling and stability without compromising ride and comfort.
Compared with its predecessor, the new Corolla hatch is 40mm lower, 30mm wider and 45mm longer, sitting on a 40mm longer wheelbase.
Being longer, lower and wider than before certainly sharpens up the car’s exterior. At the front, there’s a flatter bonnet flanked by bi-LED headlamps and integrated daytime running lights. Has any Corolla looked better?
The interior has come a long way, Toyota points out the Corolla’s cabin offers improved comfort, greater refinement and a premium feel.
Thanks to the new platform, designers have an additional 25mm of width to play with in order to improve passenger comfort. The dash is 24mm slimmer and there’s a greater emphasis on material quality.
The range-topping ZR model and all hybrid variants get a 8.0-inch touchscreen mounted to the top of the dash.
There’s a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 125kW and 200Nm. It’s a naturally-aspirated unit that delivers 21.3 per cent more power and 15.6 per cent more torque than the old 1.8-litre engine.
Toyota will also offer an all-new Dynamic-Shift continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with 10 programmed shifts as well as a sport mode and paddle shifters. Interestingly, it will be the first CVT in a passenger car to feature a launch gear which Toyota says will offer “powerful and predictable acceleration.”
The new petrol engine and CVT are available on all three Corolla model grades - Ascent Sport, SX and ZR - with the option of a new six-speed manual gearbox for the entry-level Ascent Sport.
Fuel economy has been improved by six per cent, on the combined cycle the 2.0-litre Corolla is rated at 6.0L/100km for the CVT and 6.3L/100km for the manual.
Toyota is also offering a hybrid Corolla that uses a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two new motor generators, new e-CVT transaxle, a new power control unit and new hybrid system battery.
The petrol engine is good for 72kW and 145Nm while the electric drive motor produces maximum outputs of 53kW/163Nm. Combined, the maximum output is 90kW with a combined fuel consumption rating of 4.2L/100km.
Safety has been kicked up a notch, all three trim levels get active cruise control, a pre-collision safety system as well as the obligatory seven airbags and reversing camera as standard.
The active cruise control will operate with the assistance of cameras and sensors to maintain a constant distance from the car it is following. It will be active at speeds between 30km/h and 180km/h.
All new Corolla hatch models will also be fitted with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Advanced lane departure warning is also on the list of safety kit as well as sway warning.
New Corolla hatch equipment highlights:
Ascent Sport
2.0-litre petrol with six-speed manual or CVT transmission
1.8-litre hybrid powertrain with CVT transmission
Independent rear suspension
Electric power steering
Ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes
Auto high beam LED headlights,
LED tail lights and daytime running lights
Rear fog lamps
Heated electric exterior mirrors
16-inch alloy wheels
Embossed fabric seats
4.2-inch Multi-Info Display (MID)
8.0-inch colour touchscreen
Pre-collision safety system (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection
All-speed active cruise control (CVT)
High-speed active cruise control (MT)
Lane trace assist with steering assist and lane centring function (CVT)
Lane departure alert with steering assist
Road sign assist (speed signs)
Seven airbags
Reversing camera
ISOFIX child restraint anchors
Front and rear power windows
Electronic park brake
Dual zone climate control (Hybrid only)
Smart entry and start (Hybrid only)
SX (additional features over Ascent Sport)
Front fog lamps
Privacy glass
16-inch alloy wheels with temporary spare
Premium steering wheel with steering wheel controls
Blind spot monitor
Dual zone climate control
Wireless phone charger
Smart entry and start
DAB+ digital radio
Satellite navigation with SUNA+ live traffic
ZR (additional features over SX)
18-inch alloys
Sports heated front seats
Leather-accented ultrasuede seats
Driver seat lumbar support
7.0-inch Multi-Info Display (MID) with analogue and digital display options
Ambient lighting
Head-up display
8-speaker JBL premium audio system
2018 Toyota Corolla specs and pricing (excludes on-road costs):
Ascent Sport petrol manual - $22,870
Ascent Sport petrol CVT - $24,370
Ascent Sport hybrid - $25,870
SX petrol CVT - $26,870
SX hybrid CVT - $28,370
ZR petrol CVT - $30,370
ZR hybrid CVT - $31,870
Options:
Ascent Sport: Satellite navigation and privacy glass - $1,000
All grades: Premium paint - $550
More: All News
