“You can buy this car with your eyes closed.” Well, there are just a handful of cars that deserves a blind cheque and Toyota Corolla would be in that lot, even if you put a hater on the job. 47 million cars sold around the world! I suspect most of them wouldn’t even have been test driven! But then, I suggest you test drive this one for starters. This is a Hybrid Electric powertrain bearing the ever-popular badge and promising 27.6 km per litre. As for those who are holding out their pen for that blind cheque, there is a 1.6 L and a 2.0 L petrol variant also in the range.
THE DIMENSIONS: L 4,630 x W 1,780 x H 1,435 mm / 15-inch and 17” tyres / Gross weight: Hybrid – 1835 kg / Boot: 361 L
THE SPECS: 1.6L engine and 7-speed automatic transmission – 121 hp and 154 N-m / 2.0L engine and a new 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic transmission – 168 hp and 200 N-m of torque / Hybrid: Two motors with 97 hp & 142 kg-m and 71 hp & and 163 kg-m output – combined power is 121 hp / Emission certification: Euro IV
THE SAFETY SPECS: Corolla Hybrid – dual airbags in front and side airbags, enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Hill Start Assist and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Rear parking sensors, Tyre Pressure Warning System
THE ADDITIONAL FEATURES (GLI TRIM costing AED 12,000 extra): Chrome door handles / Front fog lamps / Smart keyless entry / Daytime running lights / Sunroof / Rear trunk spoiler / 17” alloy wheels / 6 speakers instead of 4 / 7” multimedia display instead of 4.2” / Smart luggage and back door opener / Rear seats 60:40 split folding / Leather-trimmed steering wheel / Push start button / Wireless charger
THE PRICE: AED 71,900 onwards Hybrid: AED 83,900 and AED 95,900
UPSIDE: Excellent fuel economy to match its long-term reliability, No need for charging
FLIPSIDE: Sophistication comes at a cost, moderate storage compared with rivals
The Design
Toyota Prius must have looked different enough to be called futuristic when it was launched. Now people are used to the concept of hybrids – and how regular cars can still be hybrids without looking weird or different. In the UAE, and elsewhere in the GCC, Toyota is to thank for that. In the model set they have been introduced, the Hybrid version is now simply the highest trim level.
So, on the outside, the new Toyota Corolla hybrid, well, looks like a new Corolla with those new lights with three L-shaped half-brackets looking cool. But in the inside, Toyota is trying to raise aspirations for a hybrid. The grey and off-white design elements, the wavy lines that look like creases on paper – stylish in a ‘prismatic’ way! The synthetic fabric adds to the futuristic feel while the perforated seats and the stitching lend it a classy look.
The Drive
Before we go ahead testing the Hybrid, a look at Toyota Corolla and its three engines for 2020: A technology introduced with the new generation Camry, the 2.0 L four-cylinder engine is what Toyota calls a ‘Dynamic Force engine’ with a new D-4S fuel injection system, mated to a new 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic transmission for an output of 168 hp and 200 N-m of torque. The 1.6 L four-cylinder engine produces 121 hp and 154 N-m of torque that reaches the wheels through a Multidrive 7S seven-speed automatic transmission.
What drives our test car today is the ‘hybrid electric powertrain’ – combining a 1.8L petrol engine that produces 96.5 hp with two electric motors that deliver 71 hp. The torque generated are 142 N-m and 163 N-m respectively. The combined power of the Corolla drivetrain is equivalent to 121 hp (that’s how it works)! The hybrid model employs an electrically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT), which even haters of CVT wouldn’t mind, thanks to its absolutely stunning figure – I mean a fuel economy of 27.6 km per litre! It’s the kind of feature that easily becomes the compelling selling point, besides the legendary reliability of the world’s best-selling vehicle model.
This Corolla is the latest model to make use of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. It has a lower centre of gravity – which also adds to the more stylish look – 60% more rigid body shell and multi-link suspension. On paper, this means better handling and stability.
Here I am sharing my notes on the new hybrid electric vehicle from a quick outing with the new Corolla range. On road, the drive is pretty routine among the eco, power and regular modes. The power streaming is steady and smooth but not what can be described as exhilarating! The power mode needs to be used wisely – the battery dropped three bars out of eight within a few surges of power but, thankfully, regained three just as quickly, in the next 10 minutes. Performing a series of test maneuvers in an hour is not the best way to gauge economy – I (still) ended up with around 16 kmpl. With a longer drive and familiarity, it should get way closer to what was on the municipal sticker on the rear window!
Cabin and Controls
The navigation screen at the centre of the dash is a blocky black piece, reminiscent of the little TV sets of yore. It isn’t really a ‘black mirror’ that connotes futuristic – the seats are more convincing. They look and feel comfortable, and feature a new cushion material that suits the hybrid story. The air-conditioning controls are neatly arranged below the screen. Just below the steering, to the left, you see an array of buttons and can’t help wondering – the Toyota models we’ve known usually rely on their appeal of reliability rather than the feature count. As it turns out, all those buttons are dummies but for the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Then there are the steering wheel buttons. I ignored the familiar cruise control button and went for the other, only to be greeted by this – “Voice recognition not available!” Well, somethings don’t change; thankfully for the Corolla, clockwork reliability is one of them.
Just where the dash meets the console, there is a stylish perforated niche just right for the wireless charging cradle. It wasn’t available in my test car and so was reversing camera but they are both in the GLI package. What else is additional in this trim level is mentioned in the POINTERS at the start of this review.
While the Corolla hybrid brings the latest tech of regenerative braking, the handbrake is just the way I like – old-fashioned!
Family Drive
The new Toyota Corolla has just enough storage space that leaves no room for complaint. The storage box in the middle is convenient but the armrest isn’t movable. So if you are not that tall, you don’t get much more than an elbow perch. The modest boot is good enough for two midsize suitcases, and a couple of extra bags. The boot release and opening is either from the inside or using the remote – stops unauthorized access!
There is an air vent in the rear too. So, you won’t face hot glares from the family!
The essential Toyota Corolla 2020 Hybrid
It is hard to find fault with the new Toyota Corolla for not transforming itself into a sexy symbol of exhilaration. The hybrid is more of a practical choice and that’s the garb the Corolla has always worn well. As an ideological choice, it is kinda cool too! It still comes with many void buttons but 26 kilometers can make up for all that. So, the Corolla will still claim blind cheques but you needn’t be colour blind – there are eight to choose from!
