There are still six months until the first deliveries of the refreshed Toyota Corolla range begin, but the Japanese manufacturer has allowed us to learn about all the news and drive some prototypes that have arrived directly from Germany and are on their way to the north of Europe to continue an express tour. The fact is that the 2018 Toyota Corolla is significantly more appealing in person owing to a slew of cosmetic upgrades. Although the Spanish division clarifies that the current units we will be able to drive do not exactly match to the criteria for our market, we get a very good impression of the evolution endured in this twelfth generation. To begin, the shape and signature of the headlamps, grille, and wheels differ. Three new colors have been introduced to the tone palette: Florida Blue, Graphite Gray, and Mediterranean Blue, which is exclusive to the Sedan.
Toyota Corolla 2023 Specifications
Inside, the focus is immediately drawn to the 10.5-inch touchscreen entertainment system. It now has a new, more appealing, and modern interface that, in our opinion, makes it simpler to use than before. It varies the traditional arrangement where the hybridization procedure is depicted, while it is fundamentally the same. Similarly, the fabric of the seats and some finishes differ, which contributes to the overall impression of quality. Finally, there are more driving assistants, many of which have been upgraded, such as pre-collision or signal recognition, and new ones have been introduced, such as the emergency steering assistant, OTA updates for 10 years (free), lane maintenance, and lateral anti-collision maintenance.
A more powerful engine
On a technological level, the option of selecting between two 'electric' hybrid engines, the 140H and the 200H, remains. Both are undergoing significant technological progress. The 140H, with a 1.8-liter block, increases power to 140 horses, increasing the time from 0 to 100 from 1.7 seconds to 9.2. Power has also been boosted to 196 horsepower in the 200H variant, with 0 to 100 lowered from 0.5 seconds to 7.5 seconds. In this situation, CO2 emissions are reduced by around three grams per kilometer, implying that average consumption should be reduced by about 0.1 liters per 100 kilometers, albeit this data has not yet been validated by the brand because they are still in the certification process. The Corollas employ the same lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 0.9 kWh in both situations. They are always found beneath the back seats, are 14% lighter, have 14% more power, and have 13% more load capacity.
Toyota Corolla 2023 Test Drive
The reality is that the rise in power experienced by the 140H version is extremely evident from the initial acceleration, and it is the only one that we have had the opportunity to drive for nearly 45 minutes, both in the city, on the highway, and on side roads with curves. According to the corporation, the increased aid of the electric unit does two things: the first is that we have more punch when we apply full throttle, resulting in higher performance, as we have seen in a few lines above. Second, it has been conceivable for the gasoline engine to rotate at a lower revolution rate, ranging between 500 and 1,000 revolutions depending on the circumstances, resulting in reduced consumption and noise. Specifically, this technology has reduced acceleration noise substantially. It's worth noting that the Corolla appears to be one of the quietest compacts on the market.
Otherwise, the Corolla continues to be a very decent everyday vehicle that is easy to drive and efficient. On our journey, where we did not really practice eco-driving, we acquired a record of 5.3 liters at 100 with the bodywork family, despite playing with this mode and the other two options (one more 'normal' and another sporty).
Toyota Corolla 2023 Price and Range
Orders for the new Corollas are already being taken. The vehicle will go into production in January, with the first units arriving in February 2023. All of these prices include savings ranging from 4,650 to 4,900 euros depending on the model and finish. Furthermore, if you finance, these figures are decreased by 1,350 euros for the compact and 1,000 euros for the sedan.
Toyota Corolla 5P 140H Business, 28,350 euros
Toyota Corolla 5P 140H Active Plus, 24,200 euros
Toyota Corolla 5P 140H GR Sport, 27,300 euros
Toyota Corolla 5P 140H Style Plus, 29,300 euros
Toyota Corolla 5P 200H GR Sport, 29,300 euros
Toyota Corolla Sedan 140H Eco, from 29,350 euros
Toyota Corolla Sedan 140H Style, from 25,650 euros
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 140H Active Plus, 25,800 euros
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 140H Style, 27,050 euros
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports GR Sport, 28,900 euros
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 200H Style, 29,050 euros
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 200H GR Sport, 30,900 euros
Corolla 5P and Touring Sports Active Plus models come standard with a 12.3-inch digital panel, 10.5-inch Toyota Smart Connect (multimedia system), freshly designed 16-inch wheels, motorized exterior mirrors, and electrochromic interior and ignition. by, among other things, a button. The most notable features of the Sedan Style (there is a level below, suitable for VTC and Taxi fleets) include 17-inch wheels, biled headlights, wireless charging, and heated seats.
Finally, fans of sportsmanship will be pleased to know that Toyota has chosen to expand the GR Sport family. As a result, the Corolla 5P and Touring Sports 140H may now be selected with this special finish, which features 18-inch wheels, tinted rear windows, bi-led headlights, a wireless phone charger, and heated seats. In the case of the existing 200H, they offer the option of piloted suspension.