- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.8i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
103kW, 173Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2014)
Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan new car review
There are things you want and there are things you need. And when it comes to small sedans, it’s hard not to say that Toyota’s Corolla hasn’t always had a place in the latter category.
With the arrival of a new eleventh-generation model, though, Toyota is begging to differ, saying this latest version of its evergreen small sedan doesn’t just appeal to the head in the usual fashion but is capable of making a grab for the heart as well.
Frankly, it’ll need to as the small-sedan segment circa 2014 isn’t exactly short of options that blend competence with a good dose of likeability.
What do you get?
Being Thai-built, the Corolla sedan benefits from a recent five per cent tariff elimination relative to its Japan-built hatch siblings. Logically it should be the cheaper of the pair but instead the three-tiered range starts $750 higher.
Toyota goes some way to justifying the premium – which not only makes the sedan costlier than the hatch but many key sedan rivals from other brands – by giving it a more generous than usual serve of gear.
In the case of the cheapest model, the $20,740 Ascent tested here, that means standard rear parking sensors and reversing camera on top of the air-conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, CD/MP3 stereo, Bluetooth, six airbags and stability control typically offered at this entry level. It’s not bad stuff to have, to be honest.
The $22,990 SX adds to this robust base with 16-inch alloys, front parking sensors, keyless entry/start, flashier instruments and more interior razzle-dazzle – and, Toyota stresses, costs $1500 less than its equivalent predecessor.
The $30,990 ZR – also cheaper than its direct predecessor – brings sat nav, climate control, auto headlights/wipers, leather-accented seats and standard auto transmission to the party. For the latter in your Ascent or SX (though without the ZR’s steering wheel paddle shifters) there’s a $2250 premium.
Like Corolla hatches, the sedan has five-star ANCAP safety credentials and service costs are capped to $130 for three years or 60,000km, though 10,000km service intervals won’t please everybody.
What's inside?
The new sedan has grown on the outside and feels noticeably more spacious inside too. Rear occupants benefit greatly – thanks to the 100mm wheelbase stretch, almost totally flat floor and a wider bench, this is one small sedan capable of seating three adults in the back.
The back seat’s generous dimensions, though, don’t quite extend to its headroom, which is on the tight side for taller types.
Normal service is resumed with the boot, which is on the large side for a small sedan at 470 litres and has the usual 60/40 split-fold seat for added versatility, with a user-friendly one-touch operation.
However, intrusive goose-neck hinges, no external opener (you need to use the keyfob) and no internal grab handle mean that – like the back seat – the load space doesn’t quite manage a clean sweep.
The front-seat space continues a fine functional performance with its comfortable seats, ample steering/seating adjustability and respectable array of storage. The switchgear, including the 6.1-inch colour touchscreen stereo, is all logical and easy to master.
But as far as setting the heart fluttering, well, we’re not so sure. The dash is upright, blocky and intrusive, with just a thin metal-look strip in the Ascent to break the depressing, all-black monotony. While it feels expertly assembled, with nice soft-touch dash and door uppers, there are other small cars that deliver an even higher quality ambience. There'd be more positive feelings, too, if the Toyota didn't beep constantly whenever reverse gear is selected – or are we so stupid we're meant to have forgotten we did it?
Under the bonnet
As with the hatch, the Corolla sedan range is underpinned by a single engine – Toyota’s 103kW 1.8-litre petrol four, hooked up to a choice of a six-speed manual or the continuously variable (CVT) auto we tested.
You couldn’t call it state of the art in 2014 as it lacks the direct injection, turbocharging and modern fuel-saving technology (notably auto stop/start) offered in other small cars. There’s a real need to dial up plenty of revs for meaningful response on the open road or in hilly going, and even then it feels far from spirited.
Any shortcomings are less obvious in general urban driving, where its smooth, flexible power delivery and smart CVT auto – which lives up to the claims of feeling less ‘slippy’ than many of its ilk – combine to deliver quiet, relaxed and totally fuss-free motivation.
CVT sedans register a 6.6L/100km official economy rating, which is better than manual models (7.0L/100km) but only a middling result in class terms. We weren’t a million miles off with an average of 6.9L/100km on our combined urban/highway test.
On the road
Like the Corolla hatch, the sedan’s fundamental on-road qualities are anything but underdone.
It’s an agile, poised and totally foolproof device through the bends, with a nice, easy-driving character and ride that does a decent job of shielding occupants from the worst excesses of the Australian road network.
But the lack of any serious negatives doesn’t quite mean it’s the bee’s knees. The Mazda 3 we drove around the same time, to name but one small car, had a more overtly responsive, engaging character through the bends. The Toyota also transmits a noticeable amount of road noise to occupants, though maybe not as much as some of the classes less distinguished performers (Mazda 3 take another bow).
Verdict
So is this a Corolla sedan you might actually want, not just need? In the Toyota universe, you’d have to say yes. This new model doesn’t just advance the causes of boring stuff like functionality, safety and economy, it’s a much more engaging car to drive and more pleasing to sit in as well.
There’s just one problem, though. Extend your view to other brands and there are small sedans that are even more desirable and engaging while delivering no shortage of rational attractions themselves.
Which kind of leaves the Corolla sedan right where it started, selling primarily on its rational appeal. Still, if it’s not a small sedan that rouses serious emotion or admiration, this model of good sense is better and much less vanilla-flavoured than ever before.
Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan pricing and specifications
How much? From $20,740
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder. 103kW/173Nm
Fuel use: 6.6L/100km (auto)
Emissions: 153g CO2/km (auto)
What's it got: Seven airbags; Stability control; Rear parking sensors; Reversing camera; Air conditioning; Cruise control; Trip computer; CD/MP3 stereo; Bluetooth