It’s not just the impressive fuel consumption that’s giving the CAR team a warm, satisfied feeling as the Corolla enters its second month in our fleet says Charlen Raymond.
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Time spent: Two of three months
Distance covered: 3 284 km
Average fuel consumption: 4.8 L/100 km
We like: Seat warmers, frugal powerplant
We don’t like: Lack of power adjustment on front passenger seat
Month two with the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Xr Hybrid CVT has gone swimmingly. The car has not skipped a beat and the intra-team objective to lower the average fuel economy has seen everyone pull out all the stops. During one of our stints, the readout dropped from 4.8 L/100 km to 4.7 but getting back on the highway has seen the figure return to its “customary” 4.8. It remains a win in our books, and we can easily squeeze more than 800 km from its 43-litre fuel tank.
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While the hybrid system is performing admirably so far, the other highlight is the Corolla’s cabin. In top-spec Xr trim, is studded with appealing features. The easy-to-use multimedia system, for instance, features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and even has a wireless charging mat for your smartphone. Having spent time with a number of cars that have their HVAC controls buried in their touchscreen infotainment systems, it’s refreshing to use the Corolla’s intuitive button-and-dials setup. Travelling with smartphone and tablet-toting passengers has also unearthed an appreciation for the wealth of charging points in the cabin; four USB-C ports – two at the rear, and one under the dashboard in the storage bin between the front seats..
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What I found interesting, however, is the lack of power adjustment on the front passenger seat for the Corolla. While the driver is treated to button operation, the front passenger must still manually adjust the seat to their ideal position. Although manual seat adjustment is often than the electrically assisted variety, this is a top-spec car and such omissions do get noticed. Thankfully, with the Cape experiencing another frosty start to its winter months, both front seats are heated, proving something of a boon. With two settings to choose from – Low and High – both preferences prove immensely useful at keeping the chill at bay when the mercury starts dropping in the evenings and just before sunrise.
