Hot on the heels of the release of its all-new Corolla Cross SUV, Toyota has updated the evergreen Corolla hatch and sedan.
Corolla gets the latest Toyota Connected Services, upgrades to the multimedia system and the latest fifth-generation hybrid powertrain.
As before there’s three grades: Ascent Sport, SX and ZR, each with the choice of petrol-only or petrol-electric hybrid.
Exterior changes include new 16-inch wheels for Ascent Sport and SX grades along with a redesigned front grille for both hatch and sedan variants.
The upgraded hybrid system uses a newly-developed high-output motor generator, power control unit and downsized hybrid transaxle.
These provide a 13kW increase in power, with maximum combined output of 103kW for the 1.8-litre engine and electric motor.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine carries over, producing 126kW/202Nm for the hatch and 126kW/203Nm for the sedan.
Both petrol and hybrid models are front-wheel drive through a CVT with 10-speed sequential shift mode.
MY23 Corolla is the latest model to get the Toyota Connected Services app-based communications system.
Owners can remotely check the status of doors and lights, access information such as the vehicle’s last known location and recent trips,
or start the engine or climate control.
The system can also provide assistance in the event of a collision or an emergency where the airbags are deployed, by automatically notifying an emergency call centre and allowing the driver to communicate with the operator.
An expanded Toyota Safety Sense package has seen multiple features introduced or upgraded, starting with the pre-collision safety system which adds motorcycle detection.
There’s also intersection collision avoidance support for crossing vehicles and left/right turn, emergency steering assist and acceleration suppression at low speeds, while improving a range of existing features.
Cameras and radar sensors have also been improved offering a wider range for detection of obstacles or vehicles including blind spot monitor in the hatch, while lane trace assist has been expanded to include an emergency stop feature if the system no longer detects driver input.
New Corolla also gets the latest generation Toyota multimedia system, with a relatively small 8.0-inch touchscreen — but one that is easy to reach with improved definition and usability courtesy of eight shortcut buttons to the sides of the screen.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with DAB+ digital radio while a USB-C port has been added below the screen.
For Corolla hatch models, Ascent Sport now features a 7.0-inch multi information display in the instrument cluster, while ZR variants gain a full 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Ascent Sport sedan versions add built-in satellite navigation in hybrid grades, and front sun visors with lights and mirrors, while hatch versions add rear seat reminder.
Both hatch and sedan Ascent Sport variants are available with an optional Convenience Pack, which adds rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors for the hatch and rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitor for sedan.
Stepping up to the SX adds rain sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror for both body styles, while the hatch further adds remote climate control pre-conditioning and parking sensors front and rear.
