First drive of new Toyota Corolla

FIRST DRIVE Famous name returns on Auris replacement. Is it a contender?

THE ageing Toyota Auris has long been something of an also-ran here in the UK. Under the Corolla name, the hatchback is the world’s best-selling car, yet in Britain it doesn’t even rank among the top 10 most popular buys.

Years of trading on a conservative and practical approach haven’t helped the model’s cause against rivals such as the exceptional Volkswagen Golf, but the new Corolla (the hatch will switch back to its famous nameplate in the UK in 2019) is sure to look less anonymous thanks to its more radical styling.

Although the new Corolla is still a few months away, Auto Express has managed to grab a drive of the car in Australia, where it’s already on sale.

Out goes the boxy and the bland; in comes sharp and sleek. The bolder look is formed from a lower bonnet line that rises into a more steeply raked windscreen, while the more aggressive front end comprises a huge, gaping grille and wraparound LED lights. The highly-profiled rear comes straight out of the sharper Lexus book of design, too.

Toyota has dropped the roofline by 40mm, added 45mm to the car’s length and 30mm to its width. The wheelbase has been extended by 40mm, and it’s all draped over Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which has already impressed under the thirdgeneration Prius and the C-HR crossover.

The immediate good news is that the platform transforms the hatchback’s driving experience. Thanks to a lower centre of gravity, significantly greater body rigidity and more sophisticated, fully independent multi-link rear suspension, the Corolla at last has the ability to offer a degree of driver appeal.

There’s a lovely fluency to the steering, which makes driving the newcomer a pleasure, whether you’re ambling around town or winding along a country road. It’s admirably composed and also feels accurate through corners.

It rides well, too, although that is likely to have something to do with the 16-inch wheels fitted to our basic Ascent Sport test car. It’s expected to be badged Icon when it arrives in the UK.

But Britain isn’t due to get the new 168bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine we tried. Instead, buyers will be offered a choice of 1.2 turbo (petrol) and 1.8-litre (hybrid) units. There will be no diesel.

The 2.0 is a respectable performer, although throttle response can still feel dulled on the move. The CVT auto isn’t as responsive as the best dual-clutch boxes, but thanks to the inclusion of a ‘launch gear’, it’s easy to pull away.

Inside, the Corolla isn’t as bold as on the outside, yet there are some funky design elements. The overall dashboard execution is now more harmonious, too.

Using soft materials adds to the sense of quality, although Toyota applies hard plastics to the door trims of all models except the range-topper. We’ll have to

“Safety is likely to be a strong point, with Toyota Safety Sense fitted on all versions”

wait and see whether this treatment is used on European cars, of course.

An 8.0-inch touchscreen is placed front and centre, but the graphics could look more contemporary and smartphone tech such as Apple Carplay and Android Auto isn’t available. There’s also only one USB port. UK specs will be announced later, but sat-nav is expected to be standard on all but the very cheapest cars. Safety is likely to be a strong point, with Toyota Safety Sense on all versions.

The Corolla’s biggest disappointment is its practicality. Rear legroom is limited, despite the longer wheelbase. A small and shallow boot also places the Corolla well below the class average for cargo space, and less useful overall for family buyers than the likes of the Golf, Ford Focus and Hyundai i30. A more spacious Touring Sports estate is expected later.

“Good news is the platform transforms the hatch’s driving experience”