All-new Toyota Corolla Quest

By: CAR magazine

The new Toyota Corolla Quest is here. New, it looks like the old Corolla, what’s new about it? Plenty is new about the latest Corolla Quest, though the biggest part we all need to be focusing on is how good it is and how little it costs considering everything it offers as standard.

"Understanding that there is still a need for an affordable sedan in our market was one of the driving factors in developing the new Corolla Quest. We conducted numerous product clinics to gain a better understanding of what our customers wanted and where we could adapt our product offering to better suit the market needs", says Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing.

Local is lekker

Toyota Corolla Quest | South African built | motoring
Locally built in Durban

The Corolla Quest is unique to South Africa, built in Durban for our market. So you’re supporting local industry and helping us get out of the recession we’ve just moved into, and the local build makes it cheaper

It’s not an -˜old’ Corolla

It may be based on the platform of the outgoing 11th generation Corolla but, it’s been through a development programme to keep inline with Toyota’s Quality, Reliability and Durability aims, and there’s improved spec levels, and more safety features.

The Corolla Quest has a new engine

Gone is the 1.6-litre engine and in its place is a global Toyota engine, a 1.8-litre that produces 103 kW and 173 Nm. The available gearbox options are either a manual or CVT (which behaves like an automatic) across the three spec lines. Claimed fuel consumption is 7.0 l/100km on the manual and a frugal 6.3 l/100km for the CVT. The use of this global engine makes it cheaper to source and this benefits the customer when it comes to pricing.

3 models and 6 options

Toyota Corolla Quest | South African built | motoring

The entry-level Standard model is ideal for business and getting bang-for-your-buck value, the interior is black and blue fabric and the rear seat is fixed, so no surfboard in here.

The mid-level Prestige has colour-coded everything outside, and fabric and leather for the interior finish. The range-topping Exclusive gets black leather interior with chrome stitching and a 60:40 split-folding back seat, so surfboards in this one.

It shares some parts with the Hilux and Fortuner

To make the Corolla Quest the best value possible the price needed to be kept in mind. So it’s available in the same colours, roof lining and seat fabric as the Hilux and Fortuner as they’re built in the same place.

Added safety features

Toyota South Africa listened to customer feedback and learnt that it was vital the Corolla Quest had all the safety features possible. And they’ve done it. Every model from the Standard to the Exclusive has airbags, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Assist Control (so you don’t roll backwards), LED daytime running lights (so you’re always visible), rear fog lights and ISOfix child anchorage points.

It has more technology than the price suggests

Toyota Corolla Quest | South African built | motoring
I spy with my little eye… a sport button on the CVT

Standard technology features include auto door-locking when driving off (a safety feature too), steering-wheel controls, headlamps that stay on for a while when you walk inside at night, radio with CD, USB, Aux and a minimum of four speakers. The Prestige gets a touchscreen DVD infotainment system with six speakers, reverse camera, cruise control and leather steering wheel. The Exclusive lines adds auto climate control, keyless entry with push to start button, a TFT colour instrument cluster, leather seats, full LED lights and rain-sensing wipers.

Toyota kept the Corolla Quest price low by thinking smart

They’ve sourced parts from other Toyota plants that can be shared, like the engine. They’ve shared materials  (paint and interior fabrics) with the Hilux and Fortuner, and as much as possible has been locally sourced to keep the build cost down. This smart thinking has given us a very reasonable selling price.

The new Corolla Quest is not an e-ride-hailing vehicle

We’re in a recession and people need to stop being such snobs regarding cars. Yes, if you get the Standard spec there is a chance that someone could walk up to you with a phone to check if it’s the taxi they ordered. Though this new Corolla Quest looks fancier than the previous generation so there is doubt that would happen.

It’s the car Goldilocks would choose

Toyota Corolla Quest | South African built | motoring

When Goldilocks ransacked the Bear’s home one theme ran throughout, there was one perfect object in each section of the house to her liking, that struck a balance between good and bad. The new Corolla Quest is what Goldilocks would choose if she was looking for a new ride, it ticks every box perfectly. It has everything you need without breaking the bank, it handles perfectly, the engine response is perfect for the car, and it’s perfectly priced. The pick of the bunch would be the Prestige in manual guise, with its touchscreen system and extra practicality on offer with the backseat being moveable.

Toyota Corolla Quest pricing:

1.8 Quest R249 900
1.8 Quest CVT R270 400
1.8 Quest Prestige R286 500
1.8 Quest Prestige CVT R296 800
1.8 Quest Exclusive R307 400
1.8 Quest Exclusive CVT R317 700

All Corolla Quests are sold with a 3-services/45 000 km service plan with intervals pegged at 12 months/15 000 km. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is included.

-END-

images: MotorPress

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