All dressed up and lots of places to go – that’s the new Toyota Corolla hybrid, just launched to fit in between the Prius C and the Prius.
John Oxley reports.
The latest Prius, as we’ve mentioned before, is not a bad vehicle, especially now it’s got independent rear suspension. But despite some styling changes it’s still easily identifiable as a Prius, with all that implies.
Enter the Corolla hybrid. In effect it’s a Prius with a new set of clothes, a very chic set of clothes, in fact, that allows you to step out in your Toyota hybrid without people wondering if you’re trying to prove a (green) point.
What’s more, it offers a roomy car that at $38,490 is priced only $1,000 more than the petrol Corolla GLX, $4,500 more than the highest-priced Prius C, and $9,000 less than the entry Prius.
At the same time the Corolla hybrid comes in at GLX spec, plus a few extras, including CVT transmission (without manual mode), acoustic UV front side windows, as well as privacy glass in the back, Michelin energy saver tyres on16 inch wheels, electrically-operated regenerative braking, bi-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED clearance lights integrated into the headlights, automatic headlamp levelling, and headlight cleaners.
In addition the leather-rimmed steering wheel has both audio and MID controls, there’s a 4.2 inch LCD information display, between the main dials, and hybrid-specific instrumentation.
The GLX trim level also means it gets a smart key, push button start, front fog lights, fabric trim, driver’s seat height adjustment, reach and height steering wheel adjustment, cruise control, climatic dual zone aircon, power windows and mirrors, CD display audio with six speakers and a seven inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, and a reversing camera.
The rear seats are split 40/60, and fold, and interestingly, luggage capacity isn’t affect by the hybrid system, at 360 litres, as the battery pack is under the rear seats – and there’s also a space saver spare wheel. When folded the seats make up into a flat surface that’s easy to load onto.
The power system, as mentioned, comes straight from the regular Prius, with Toyota’s vaunted Hybrid Synergy Drive that offers an 1,800cc Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder petrol engine in line with an electric motor. The petrol engine produces 73kW/142Nm, while combined power output of the petrol engine and the electric motor is 100kW/207Nm.
The Corolla Hybrid’s 0-100km/h acceleration figure is less than a second slower than the petrol-only GLX, despite that the hybrid is 90kg heavier, and interestingly, the Corolla hybrid is only 10kg lighter than a Prius. However, claimed fuel economy is much better than the petrol-only Corolla, at 4/1L/100km versus 6.1L/100km, while emissions drop from 143g/km to 96g/km.
As with other Toyota hybrids, electric-only range is limited to only a few 100m
Like other Corollas the hybrid comes with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, courtesy of seven airbags and a full pack of safety kit – but no lane departure or autonomous emergency braking..
So what’s it like on the road? Well, remarkably interesting. Fitting in all those extra traction batteries isn’t all bad, though it does increase 0-100km/h acceleration to 10.9 seconds; however, the plus side is that it definitely makes the hybrid much more planted on the road, and the weight is all in the right place to give excellent balance.
It also improves ride quality, and coupled with the standard fit independent rear suspension, again, taken from the latest Prius, makes this arguably the best Corolla on the market as far as ride and handling is concerned.
Toyota is keen to extend its hybrid fleet in New Zealand, and with used imported plug-in EV Prius models imminent, and a hybrid RAV4 the next weapon in the hybrid arsenal (and let’s not forget the Camry Hybrid), the hybrid future is looking bright, and Toyota’s intention to radically reduce its carbon footprint well on track.
