The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in the world. In the new generation, he now wants to attack again in Germany.
With the new Corolla, Toyota is getting serious again in the Golf class. The compact model is a classic all-rounder, but should also attract frequent drivers with its modernized hybrid drive.
Brief description: After Toyota called its compact model in Europe for around 13 years Auris, the Japanese have been using the traditional name again since switching to the latest generation in April. At the same time, the golf competitor has renovated its last dusty exterior, more fun has been planted into the chassis and infotainment and interior have been refreshed. The popular hybrid drive remained - but this time with complete consistency, because there is no longer a diesel.
Body: Right from the start, the Corolla is available in three body styles. The most popular version is the classic compact five-door car with decent space in the front, a somewhat narrower rear and a trunk that is rather average in a class comparison, which is even smaller in the hybrid engines due to the additional technology. Anyone who needs a lot of space will find an alternative in the “Touring Sports” station wagon, which not only offers a large luggage compartment, but also more space for the backbenchers thanks to the longer wheelbase. Details such as a double loading floor with storage compartment underneath and a remote release for the rear seat backrests ensure good variability. The third - and probably the most exotic variant in Germany - is the sedan with a classic notchback cut. Because the long station wagon serves as the basis, the rear passengers sit there more airily than in the five-door version.
Engines: The diesel was always an unpopular stepchild with the Japanese, the predecessor was the last to buy a BMW unit before the diesel engine was completely removed from the range more than a year before the model change. It is no longer reactivated for the Corolla. An alternative is the brand-typical, power-split full hybrid, which also enables short-term purely electric driving and which is now available in two versions: with 90 kW / 122 PS and 1,8 liters of displacement, and with 132 kW / 180 PS and 2,0 liters of displacement. The latter should be particularly suitable as a diesel alternative for frequent drivers, but allow a maximum speed of 180 km / h. Both hybrids are very economical on paper and in practice, but comparatively expensive to buy - however, an automatic transmission is inherent in principle, which would have to be paid extra by the competition. The Corolla is relatively cheap only with the only non-electrified drive, an 85 kW / 115 PS strong 1,2 liter four-cylinder turbo, which delivers decent performance and pushes the base price by several thousand euros to 21.000 euros.
Equipment: There are five lines for the compact Toyota, whereby the cheapest version "Corolla" is only available for the pure gasoline engine. With air conditioning, CD radio and cruise control, it offers the necessary, but dispenses with design upgrades and modern infotainment. Both are available in the form of aluminum rims, exhaust trims, leather steering wheel and multimedia system with reversing camera from the "Comfort" line, which costs around 2.800 euros surcharge. For another 700 euro, it goes one step higher, either to "Business Edition" with navigation system or the "Club" version, which is more interesting for private customers. In addition to better seats and larger rims, this also includes LED headlights. It gets really luxurious in the “Lounge” version, which, however, at just under 5.000 Euro is much more expensive. In return, there are partial leather seats, matrix LED light, sound system, sports seats and an assistant package. Some, but far from all of it can also be booked as a single option for the "Club" version. In general, Toyota offers little scope for equipment additions outside of the pre-assembled lines. If you want special extras, you may have to choose a more expensive option. The basic model in particular quickly becomes uninteresting for customers with more specific requirements (even if it is only a seat heater). It is also not very customer-friendly that various extras are only available as a package: If you want the dead-angle warning, for example, you must also use the DAB radio.
Recommendations:
For the price-conscious: Toyota Corolla five-door hatchback, petrol engine, 85 kW / 116 PS, six-speed manual transmission, "Comfort" equipment plus business package with rain sensor, DAB radio and seat heating; Price from 23.790 euros.
For families: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, Hybrid, 90 kW / 122 PS, stepless automatic, "Club" equipment plus technology package with blind spot warning, keyless locking system and reversing assistant; Price from 30.180 euros.
For frequent drivers: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, Hybrid, 132 kW / 180 PS, stepless automatic, “Lounge” equipment; Price from 34.490 euros.