- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.8i/53kW Hybrid, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
143kW (comb), 163Nm
- Fuel
Hybrid (91) 4.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2018)
Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid 2018 new car review
Damn, that’s a good looking… Toyota Corolla?!
It seems unnatural at first, but the more you look at this new generation of traditionally conservative Toyota small car, the more striking, aggressive and bold its styling appears. Playing it safe is no longer part of the Japanese company’s mentality as we’ve already seen with the latest Camry, and now that new attitude has reached Australia’s favourite car.
But can it live up to this exciting new image once we get behind the wheel?
- New looks.
- Stylish cabin.
- Well equipped.
- Tight back seats.
- Small boot.
- Modest hybrid performance.
What do you get?
First up, let’s take a look at value and specifications because Toyota has shaken up the range with this new-generation model.
The previous entry-level grade Ascent has been ditched (for now) so the Corolla line-up begins with the Ascent Sport, moves up through the SX and tops out with the ZR.
Pricing begins at $22,870 for the Ascent Sport manual and ends at $31,870 for the range-topping ZR Hybrid we’ve tested here. Toyota is pushing hybrid power across more of its models so has made the price premium only $1500 across the entire Corolla range.
Standard equipment for the ZR includes 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and ignition, LED headlights with auto high-beam, auto-on lights and wipers, part-leather trim with heated front seats, head-up display, dual-zone climate control and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The infotainment system is based around an 8.0-inch touchscreen with an eight-speaker JBL stereo with integrated Bluetooth, digital radio and navigation with live traffic. But there is no Apple CarPlay for those who like the smartphone mirroring technology.
Safety includes seven airbags, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and lane-departure warning with active lane-keep assistance plus adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera.
Another significant change for this new-generation Corolla is increased service intervals, going from six months to 12 months/15,000km. Each visit only costs a flat $175 fee for the first five years.
However, unlike the most of its rivals that have moved to five-year warranty periods, Toyota is sticking with three years.
What’s inside?
The previous-generation Corolla was simply a love-it-or-hate-it affair inside so Toyota has given it a complete makeover. While still not as polished as the best-in-class Volkswagen Golf, there’s no doubt the new cabin is a big step forward in terms of its presentation and design.
The centre fascia is dominated by the infotainment screen that sits proudly at the top, but there’s still a large swathe of plastic directly in front of the passenger.
In the high-grade ZR the leather-wrapped steering wheel and partial leather seats give it a more upmarket look and feel. The seats themselves offer good support and comfort up front, while those in the rear are well cushioned but headroom and kneeroom is tighter than what you’ll find in a Golf or Hyundai i30.
Another point against the Corolla’s practicality score is the boot, which is only 217-litres in all models bar this ZR Hybrid. With no spare wheel (only a tyre-inflation kit), the ZR Hybrid's boot is a far more useful 333 litres.
Under the bonnet
Toyota offers two engine choices for the Corolla. The standard choice is an all-new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit with 125kW of power and 200Nm of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic.
Alternatively, there's a hybrid powertrain that pairs a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined system output of 90kW, mated exclusively to a CVT automatic.
While you lose a sizeable chunk of performance making the switch to the hybrid, you do gain a significant advantage in terms of fuel economy. The petrol engine's official combined fuel consumption figure is 6.0-litres per 100km with the CVT, compared to just 4.2L/100km for the hybrid.
As far as how it drives the hybrid offers adequate performance, but not much more. With the electric motor it feels brisk off the mark and effortless around town, but in more demanding situations such as country-road overtaking, the hybrid Corolla's acceleration is marginal.
On the road
In addition to a more emotional look, Toyota is making a concerted effort to add more emotion to the driving experience with its cars. To that end the Corolla is based on the Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) that also underpins the C-HR, Prius and new Camry.
After years of relying on its dependable reputation for sales, Toyota wants buyers to consider this new Corolla for its driving character.
Adding to the more dynamic edge is a sports suspension tune for the ZR, along with its bigger wheels and lower profile tyres.
The result is a far more enjoyable car to drive than any recent Corolla, with impressive response and agile handling. It still lacks the refinement polish of the class benchmark, the VW Golf, but it’s certainly an improvement that adds another appealing element to the Corolla package.
Verdict
Toyota took a risk making such dramatic changes with this new Corolla, given its sustained popularity as one of Australia’s favourite small cars. But it’s a risk that has reaped big rewards, with appealing style and a much more enjoyable driving experience.
Two things that should only help add to its popularity.
2018 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid pricing and specifications
Price: From $31,870 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol + electric motor
Power: 90kW (total system output)
Torque: 142Nm (petrol); 163Nm (battery)
Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 4.2L/100km
The Competitors
Hyundai i30 Elite CRDi
Price: From $30,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power: 100kW
Torque: 203Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 4.7L/100km
Our score: 7.5/10
Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Comfortline
Price: From $29,750 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Power: 110kW
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 5.4L/100km
Our score: 7/10
Mazda3 SP25 GT
Price: From $31,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 6.5L/100km
Our score: 7/10