Do minor updates to the venerable Corolla lift it from the middle of the pack?
This year, Toyota celebrates 50 years of one of its best-selling products, the Corolla. To tie in with these celebrations, the company has unveiled a facelifted version of the eleventh generation, which was originally launched in 2013. Aside from the restyled nose, you will need a sharp eye to distinguish the new from the old. The more aggressive snout features slimmer, sharper headlamps and slats on the bumper that now extend across its entire length, ending in new C-shaped faux intakes. At the rear, the lights have also received a minor tweak, with a change in lens colour and a slimmer chrome strip linking the lights.
The engine range remains unchanged, with the 1,3-, 1,6- and 1,8-litre petrol engines and 1,4-litre turbodiesel still on offer; however, Toyota has improved the safety and comfort levels. Vehicle stability control and hill-start assist are both standard on 1,6-litre models and up, and beneath the bodywork the suspension has also been mildly tweaked for better balance and handling.
Having previously tested the 1,4 turbodiesel (May 2014) and the slightly more affordable 1,6-litre petrol (March 2014), for our first test of the facelifted line-up, we selected the top-of-the-range 1,8-litre Exclusive, a vehicle that offers comforts such as auto climate control, push start with smart key, an extensive airbag package (seven in total), rain-sensing wipers and auto headlamps.
Minor upgrades also make the cabin quieter, and the touchscreen/DVD infotainment system in the Prestige models has increased in size from 6,1 to 7,0 inches. Our Exclusive model’s touchscreen offers audio, Bluetooth and a detailed trip computer. While CAR testers noted that the upright angle of the screen and dashboard leads to a slightly claustrophobic feeling for the driver, all the controls are within easy reach.
This derivative is also equipped with a reversing camera, making parking manoeuvres simple to execute. The rear quarters offer impressive space; at 1,87 metres tall, one of our testers could comfortably sit behind his driving position. However, headroom is a problem and taller passengers won’t be able to perch up straight.
As before, the cabin has a reassuring feeling of solidity, but the materials on the doors tend to scuff too easily and any contact with your skin or shoes leaves marks, quickly resulting in an interior that appears worn. Fortunately, these areas are easy to clean.
Delivering 103 kW at 6 400 r/min and 173 N.m at 4 000 r/min, the 1,8-litre naturally aspirated engine revs with relative ease at coastal altitudes throughout the rev range. However, we suspect it might start struggling at the Reef once fully loaded.
During our test period, the Corolla’s ride quality delivered exactly what we expected; it’s very well damped and noise, vibration and harshness levels are expertly kept to a minimum. As before, the gearlever easily slips through the gate. During our standard fuel run, the Corolla achieved 7,4 L/100 km, a figure that will marginally drop on longer journeys and increase by roughly 1,0 L /100 km or more during city driving.
