Term
Initial payment (months)
New
Toyota Corolla
2.0 Hybrid GR Sport 5dr CVT [Bi-tone]
7.4 secs
0 - 62
111 mph
Top speed
61.4 mpg
Fuel consumption
196 bhp
Power
21E
Insurance group
313 litres
Boot space
Leasing this car includes.
Manufacturers warranty
In the event of an unexpected mechanical issue, you're all covered!
Road tax
That's right, all deals include road tax. No hassle. No fuss. No fees.
Breakdown cover
Just in case worst comes to worst. You'll never be left stranded.
- Overview
- Specification
111 mph
Top speed
196 bhp
Power
7.4 secs
0-62
1987 cc
Engine size
61.4 mpg
Fuel consumption
103 g/km
CO2
Hybrid
Fuel
Front Wheel Drive
Drive-train
Key features.
- 18" black machined face 10 spoke alloy wheels
- Toyota smart connect navigation
- Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and wired android auto
- Fabric/synthetic leather upholstery
- GR Sports seats with partial leather bolsters
- Heated seats
- Privacy glass
The latest Toyota Corolla extends the life of the world’s best-selling car in the best way possible. This is one stylish hatchback with supreme handling. Known for their solid build quality and reliability, benefit from self-charging hybrid technology. And keep your options open with the choice of a saloon and estate version.
How much is it to insure?
Compare insurance quotes for this Toyota Corolla. With our compadres at Compare the Market.
Sell your car the Motorway way.
Get your best offer from over 5,000 dealers and sell completely online, it's 100% free.
Toyota Corolla review.
Toyota's twelfth generation Corolla Hybrid gains significant upgrades in its hatch and Touring Sports estate forms. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten second review.
The twelfth generation Corolla hatch and Touring Sports estate models have gained many friends for Toyota amongst family hatch customers wanting full-Hybrid power. Now that engine's been significantly improved in both its forms, as has the interior of this 'E210'-series design. If you'd previously dismissed the Japanese brand as an also-ran in the Focus class, it might be time to think again.
Background.
Toyota was aiming to enter fresh territory with this 12th generation Corolla back in 2018 at its original launch. For one thing, it needed to make Hybrids more universally acceptable in this segment - that's why there are two of them with this current model, a 1.8 and a 2.0-litre unit, both of the 'self-charging' non-plug-in variety. This Corolla also aimed to change customer perceptions of Toyota in this sector, which tend to centre around expectations of drab interior quality, forgettable looks and boring drive dynamics. This 'E210'-series model turned out to be a huge step forward from its Auris predecessor in all these areas. But that wasn't quite enough to at last make this Japanese maker competitive at the sharp end of this class amongst Focuses and Golfs. The brand is getting closer though, particularly with the revised Corolla range we look at here, which continues to use the 'TNGA' 'Toyota New Global Architecture' platform and builds on world record sales of more than 50 million Corollas over twelve generations since 1966. There's now a Corolla SUV body style too, but our focus here is on the volume hatch and 'Touring Sports' estate body shapes, now usefully improved with a fifth generation hybrid system and a significant upgrade in interior quality and media tech. Let's take a look.
Design and Build.
Subtle updates mark out this revised version of the 12th generation Corolla. These include changes to the front grille mesh pattern, fog light bezels and alloy wheel designs. Higher grades of the hatchback and Touring Sports estate models gain smarter bi-LED headlights with an Adaptive High-beam System. In addition to these two core body styles, there's also a completely separate Corolla Cross SUV model, though that's not our focus here. Size-wise, the standard Corolla hatch that most customers choose is pitched plumb in the centre of its segment, slightly shorter than a Ford Focus and quite a bit longer than a Golf. Inside, the changes are farer-reaching, the key one being a much-needed upgrade to the central infotainment screen, which grows in size to 10.5-inches and gains the facility for over-the-air updates. Plus from mid-range trim levels upwards, the driver's instrument display gains a 12.3-inch combimeter that can be customised to preference across four different modes - 'Casual', 'Smart', 'Sport' and 'Tough'. The driver can also make use of a new on-board voice agent that recognises natural, conversational requests to operate the multimedia, or vehicle functions such as opening or closing windows. The cabin's now of higher quality too, with new graphics, trims and embossed patterns that add three-dimensional depth and tactile appeal to the upholsteries, surfaces and finishes. The trim and seat upholstery combinations follow smarter Dark and Light Harmony themes with co-ordinated colours and finishes to give the interior a contemporary, elegant feel. Otherwise, it's much as you were. Rear seat space isn't hugely generous, but two adults will fit OK. Boot space for the 1.8-litre models is rated at 361-litres for the hatch and 598-litres for the Touring Sports estate. Bear in mind that these figures are slightly reduced if you choose the 2.0-litre version.
Market and Model.
Toyota isn't bothering here to try and provide an affordable entry-level model, prices across the all-Hybrid, all-automatic range starting from around £30,000. There's a premium of around £1,300 to go from the five-door hatch body shape to the 'Touring Sports' estate. Though you can no longer have a Saloon, there is now a separate Cross SUV model. For the hatch and the Touring Sports estate, there are four main trim levels - 'Icon', 'Design', 'GR Sport' and 'Excel'. All of these spec levels deliver even more kit for the latest model year, with fresh colours that include a vibrant 'Juniper Blue'. The dynamic-looking 'GR Sport' version's been upgraded too. This improved Corolla is equipped with Toyota T-Mate, which combines the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense package with other active driving and parking assistance features. Improvements in the operation and functionality of the systems include Acceleration Suppression, which reacts to sudden use of the accelerator when travelling at low speed; collision avoidance support when making a turn at an intersection; Emergency Steering Assist that can now react to oncoming vehicles; lateral collision avoidance and curve speed reduction. There's also now a 'Safe Exit Assist' system, which stops doors being opened in the face on oncoming vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. And a 'Rear Seat Reminder' has been added, which alerts the driver to look at the rear seats as they leave the car.
Cost of Ownership.
Toyota has decided that all Corolla buyers should have a Hybrid engine - and a look at the efficiency stats reveals why. The stats are still pretty eye-catching, a typical 1.8-litre Hybrid Corolla Hatch with 'Icon' trim managing up to 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 102g/km of CO2. That's further helped, Toyota expects, by the fact that for typical customers, up to 50% of typical commuting journeys will be accomplished in all-electric drive. For the 2.0-litre Hybrid hatch, the best stats are up to 57.7mpg and up to 107g/km. The Japanese maker describes the Corolla's Hybrid technology as being of the 'self-charging' variety, which means that it isn't of the currently popular Plug-in variety. The brand of course has PHEV technology (it's available on top versions of its Prius model) but currently feels it isn't necessary for the Corolla line-up. What else? Well, the five year 100,000 mile warranty is extremely good and even after that runs out, you'll find that you can extend it for nothing up to a maximum of ten years, providing you have the car regularly serviced at a Toyota dealer. There's also three years warranty against rust and 12 years of anti-corrosion protection.
Summary.
So what do we have here? A name from the past which packages up technology from the future. Very soon, all family hatchback-class models will feature model line-ups that are primarily electrified. But Toyota has brought us that right now. In a car its volume brand competitors will have to take very seriously indeed, particularly in this updated form. If you're going the Hybrid route with a car in this sector, it makes sense to buy into the brand that has most experience in producing this kind of powertrain - and that's unquestionably Toyota. But this model also has other things to recommend it, with levels of safety and media connectivity that rivals struggle to better. Overall, if you're looking for a car in this segment, a Corolla may not currently be on your shopping list. We think it ought to be.
The twelfth generation Corolla hatch and Touring Sports estate models have gained many friends for Toyota amongst family hatch customers wanting full-Hybrid power. Now that engine's been significantly improved in both its forms, as has the interior of this 'E210'-series design. If you'd previously dismissed the Japanese brand as an also-ran in the Focus class, it might be time to think again.
Toyota was aiming to enter fresh territory with this 12th generation Corolla back in 2018 at its original launch. For one thing, it needed to make Hybrids more universally acceptable in this segment - that's why there are two of them with this current model, a 1.8 and a 2.0-litre unit, both of the 'self-charging' non-plug-in variety. This Corolla also aimed to change customer perceptions of Toyota in this sector, which tend to centre around expectations of drab interior quality, forgettable looks and boring drive dynamics. This 'E210'-series model turned out to be a huge step forward from its Auris predecessor in all these areas. But that wasn't quite enough to at last make this Japanese maker competitive at the sharp end of this class amongst Focuses and Golfs. The brand is getting closer though, particularly with the revised Corolla range we look at here, which continues to use the 'TNGA' 'Toyota New Global Architecture' platform and builds on world record sales of more than 50 million Corollas over twelve generations since 1966. There's now a Corolla SUV body style too, but our focus here is on the volume hatch and 'Touring Sports' estate body shapes, now usefully improved with a fifth generation hybrid system and a significant upgrade in interior quality and media tech. Let's take a look.
Subtle updates mark out this revised version of the 12th generation Corolla. These include changes to the front grille mesh pattern, fog light bezels and alloy wheel designs. Higher grades of the hatchback and Touring Sports estate models gain smarter bi-LED headlights with an Adaptive High-beam System. In addition to these two core body styles, there's also a completely separate Corolla Cross SUV model, though that's not our focus here. Size-wise, the standard Corolla hatch that most customers choose is pitched plumb in the centre of its segment, slightly shorter than a Ford Focus and quite a bit longer than a Golf. Inside, the changes are farer-reaching, the key one being a much-needed upgrade to the central infotainment screen, which grows in size to 10.5-inches and gains the facility for over-the-air updates. Plus from mid-range trim levels upwards, the driver's instrument display gains a 12.3-inch combimeter that can be customised to preference across four different modes - 'Casual', 'Smart', 'Sport' and 'Tough'. The driver can also make use of a new on-board voice agent that recognises natural, conversational requests to operate the multimedia, or vehicle functions such as opening or closing windows. The cabin's now of higher quality too, with new graphics, trims and embossed patterns that add three-dimensional depth and tactile appeal to the upholsteries, surfaces and finishes. The trim and seat upholstery combinations follow smarter Dark and Light Harmony themes with co-ordinated colours and finishes to give the interior a contemporary, elegant feel. Otherwise, it's much as you were. Rear seat space isn't hugely generous, but two adults will fit OK. Boot space for the 1.8-litre models is rated at 361-litres for the hatch and 598-litres for the Touring Sports estate. Bear in mind that these figures are slightly reduced if you choose the 2.0-litre version.
Toyota isn't bothering here to try and provide an affordable entry-level model, prices across the all-Hybrid, all-automatic range starting from around £30,000. There's a premium of around £1,300 to go from the five-door hatch body shape to the 'Touring Sports' estate. Though you can no longer have a Saloon, there is now a separate Cross SUV model. For the hatch and the Touring Sports estate, there are four main trim levels - 'Icon', 'Design', 'GR Sport' and 'Excel'. All of these spec levels deliver even more kit for the latest model year, with fresh colours that include a vibrant 'Juniper Blue'. The dynamic-looking 'GR Sport' version's been upgraded too. This improved Corolla is equipped with Toyota T-Mate, which combines the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense package with other active driving and parking assistance features. Improvements in the operation and functionality of the systems include Acceleration Suppression, which reacts to sudden use of the accelerator when travelling at low speed; collision avoidance support when making a turn at an intersection; Emergency Steering Assist that can now react to oncoming vehicles; lateral collision avoidance and curve speed reduction. There's also now a 'Safe Exit Assist' system, which stops doors being opened in the face on oncoming vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. And a 'Rear Seat Reminder' has been added, which alerts the driver to look at the rear seats as they leave the car.
Toyota has decided that all Corolla buyers should have a Hybrid engine - and a look at the efficiency stats reveals why. The stats are still pretty eye-catching, a typical 1.8-litre Hybrid Corolla Hatch with 'Icon' trim managing up to 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 102g/km of CO2. That's further helped, Toyota expects, by the fact that for typical customers, up to 50% of typical commuting journeys will be accomplished in all-electric drive. For the 2.0-litre Hybrid hatch, the best stats are up to 57.7mpg and up to 107g/km. The Japanese maker describes the Corolla's Hybrid technology as being of the 'self-charging' variety, which means that it isn't of the currently popular Plug-in variety. The brand of course has PHEV technology (it's available on top versions of its Prius model) but currently feels it isn't necessary for the Corolla line-up. What else? Well, the five year 100,000 mile warranty is extremely good and even after that runs out, you'll find that you can extend it for nothing up to a maximum of ten years, providing you have the car regularly serviced at a Toyota dealer. There's also three years warranty against rust and 12 years of anti-corrosion protection.
So what do we have here? A name from the past which packages up technology from the future. Very soon, all family hatchback-class models will feature model line-ups that are primarily electrified. But Toyota has brought us that right now. In a car its volume brand competitors will have to take very seriously indeed, particularly in this updated form. If you're going the Hybrid route with a car in this sector, it makes sense to buy into the brand that has most experience in producing this kind of powertrain - and that's unquestionably Toyota. But this model also has other things to recommend it, with levels of safety and media connectivity that rivals struggle to better. Overall, if you're looking for a car in this segment, a Corolla may not currently be on your shopping list. We think it ought to be.
In case you missed anything.
Loading...