Slick and smooth
PRIOR to the launch of the latest 12-generation Toyota Corolla, CarSifu was given the opportunity to get hands-on with this C-segment sedan in a range-topping Corolla 1.8G from UMW Toyota Motor’s headquarters in Shah Alam to Crockfords Hotel in Genting Highlands.
The drive would have us experience unusually heavy mid-morning traffic as we slowly but eventually made our way to the base of the mountain and begin the uphill climb.
However, this allowed us to experience the smooth nature of the Corolla’s 139PS 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE engine combined with its continuously variable transmission.
As traffic began to scatter and road-goers became more scarce, we were able to be more acquainted with its Toyota Safety Sense which comprises of adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam, blind-spot monitoring system as well as lane-departure alert with steering assist and lane tracing assist.
As long as the lane was wellmarked, venturing into another lane without turn-signals would have the car beeping three times and with the lack of driver intervention, the steering would try to pull the vehicle back into the centre of the lane automatically.
Meanwhile, with clear skies, the adaptive cruise control was able to maintain its distance from the vehicle ahead - allowing us to enjoy a rather comfortable journey as the suspension soaked up the unevenness.
Once at the base of Genting, it was time to slam the throttle wide open.
Surprisingly, the 1.8-litre engine has a sporty note to its exhaust and while power delivery was almost on par, it could have done with a little more grunt.
But what left us even more surprised, was its handling prowess as we threaded through traffic on the way up.
The way the car handled, as though being thrown into corners by the scruff of its neck, was nothing but impressive.
Throttle off. Steer. Full throttle back on again and the car pulls to the direction of the front wheels and the rear-end quickly follows subserviently to fall in line.
All this is thanks to the Corolla’s use of the Toyota New Global Architecture platform that’s impressively rigid enough to provide for a sporty drive.
In short, the Corolla displayed a rather neutral handling characteristic when helmed correctly and as mentioned earlier, the only shortcoming was the lack of grunt - but then we’re always power-hungry.
To sum the Corolla up, this is a comfortable cruising commuter that can provide good amounts of driving dynamics and at the same time allow its driver to fully exploit its abilities without going overly overboard - and in all honesty, that’s where the real fun resides. —