Corolla goes from steady to stylish
particularly impressive, especially from a value for money point of view. The higher-grade ZR models have more road noise from larger tyres, have more enveloping seats and higher-grade interiors.
However, the model most New Zealanders are likely to experience (as a rental car) is the baseline GX, and they will enjoy the drive.
The lower grille on the new models emphasises the increased width of the new cars, with LED headlights wrapping around into the front guards, while the design is more rounded at the rear.
Toyota New Zealand general manager of product and new vehicle sales, Neeraj Lala, told the press launch that it was the biggest upgrade in the Corolla’s history.
“It’s a more premium and stylish car that places a priority on the highest active and passive safety standards,” he said.
The 2-litre direct injection petrol engine has the latest technology for gains in power, fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions. Toyota says it now has 21 per cent more power (125kW) and 15 per cent more torque (200Nm) but is more economical.
The CVT transmission is more efficient, and uses a new gear drive when starting from a full stop, eliminating the momentary hesitation that has annoyed drivers of CV transmissions.
The SX and ZR petrol variants add paddle shifters and all petrol variants can access a 10-speed sequential manual shift mode.
The hybrid models feature the latest self-charging petrol hybrid electric powertrain from the Prius. The 1.8-litre petrol engine has a combined system output of 90kW, with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.2 litres/100km.
The baseline GX model has an 8-inch touchscreen display, a 4.2-inch multi-info display, rear privacy glass, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a six-speaker audio system with satellite navigation.
The GX hybrid model gains a dual climate control system, with and keyless smart entry and pushbutton start.
The SX grade models also have a wireless phone charger, LED front fog lamps, paddle shifters, leather steering wheel and an additional USB port.
The ZR has a large colour head up display on the windscreen, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather and suede-accented sports front seats, a premium audio system, 7-inch colour multi-information display, ambient illumination, automatic dimming rear-view mirror and high-grade bi-LED headlamps.
All models have an active precrash safety system that includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and cyclist detection, all speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert and lane centring and sway warning.
All have reversing cameras, along with drive start control, secondary collision brake and active cornering assist.
Blind spot monitoring is added to the mid-range SX and top line ZR variants.
IT’S A MORE PREMIUM AND STYLISH CAR THAT PLACES A PRIORITY ON THE HIGHEST ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY STANDARDS. Neeraj Lala, Toyota New Zealand