The Toyota Corolla is a small hatchback and sedan that remains one of Australia's top selling cars.
Now in its 12th generation, it first debuted in 1966 and has since achieved more than 45 million global sales to become one of the most recognisable nameplates in the world.
It is the second cheapest Toyota after the Yaris starting at just under $24,000 and offers a cheaper entry point into hybrid ownership when compared to the more expensive Prius.
Considering its price and size, the Corolla draws a wide range of rivals like the Volkswagen Golf, Kia Cerato, Mazda 3, Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus.
After a generational overhaul that saw the Corolla prioritise handling and sophistication over cargo space, it is designed to attract both keen and discerning drivers, and is the only car among its rivals to offer a hybrid powertrain.
It comes in a five-door hatchback or four-door sedan body that each seat five people and offer ISOFIX anchorage points in the rear row. In both instances its 2.0-litre petrol engine can be had with an automatic and manual transmission, while the 1.8-litre petrol hybrid available in both bodystyles is mated with only an automatic.
What is the difference between the sedan and hatch?
There is no difference at least on price between the Corolla sedan and hatch, with each grade of variant available on the sedan matching its hatch equivalent on price. The sedan is also slightly heavier and features 16 inch wheels on the Hybrid variant as opposed to the 18-inch wheels on the hatchback Hybrid.
Do Toyota Corollas have leather seats?
The top of the range Corolla ZR variant fits the hatchback with leather accented interior that are complemented with faux suede. This goes for the front seats as well. In the sedan equivalent ZR the seats are finished in a synthetic leather.
How much fuel does a Toyota Corolla use?
The claimed fuel consumption for the Corolla depends on the engine and transmission selected as well as bodystyle. The 2.0-litre petrol engine consumes between 6.0 to 6.3-litres of fuel per 100km in the hatchback according to the manufacturer, while the 1.8-litre hybrid consumes only 4.2. For the sedan, the same petrol engine consumes between 6.0 to 6.5 litres while the hybrid powertrain consumes only 3.5.
Is there a high performance Toyota Corolla?
Toyota does not publish performance testing claims on the Corolla, however the hatchback Ascent Sport with a manual transmission produces the most kilowatts per kilogram of weight. It currently does not build a high performance Corolla but there are reports its performance arm, Gazoo Racing, are nearing production on a special version.
