Summarize

For a while now, we confessed that Toyota was among the carmakers that lagged when it came to engine tech — for way too long, SA’s biggest carmaker kept churning out old school naturally aspirated models that could not hold a candle to European rivals with their force-fed downsized engines that deliver far better performance, economy and drivability. 

Add 1500m of Jozi altitude and that ancient N/A lumps disadvantage is doubled and considering that’s where 70% of you live, it was a big problem. Toyota simply could not compete with a growing number of high tech rivals, well in engine tech anyway. Perhaps it was that the East has less of a carbon concern than that say of Europe or California, but the result of that lack of efficient turbo action had Toyota on the back foot.

Happily, that is all now a thing of the past with the arrival of the all-new Corolla hatchback — the first five-door to carry that iconic tag since the Tazz took over twenty years ago and it runs far deeper than just a re-badged Auris too. Corolla not only gets a latest tech new flexible and efficient little 1.2-litre turbo, but it is also a really good looking hatch from Toyota and you can add excellent ride quality, handling and spaciousness thanks to its TNGA platform chassis,  as well as a host of active and passive safety features to shove Toyota right back to the top of the hatchback pile.

So, while new Corolla hatch brings a raft of improvements, the highlight in our opinion is that new 85kW 1.2-litre four-pot  turbo petrol engine that delivers 185Nm all the way from 1500 to 4000rpm through either a 6-speed manual or a new 10-step Sport Sequential Shiftmatic CVT. Shared with the C-HR, this little mill sees Corolla to 100km/h in a brisk 9.5 seconds in manual get-up and on to a top speed of 200km/h top end at a thrifty 6.1 litres per 100km for both variants.

Another highlight is that 60% torsionally stiffer and lighter new TNGA platform, the foundation of all future Toyota cars, which in GA-C trim also brings a lower centre of gravity to new Corolla. Focussed on best dynamic handling, it also packs in a new multilink rear suspension for less intrusion on boot load space and an increase in boot volume along with improved handling stability and steering response enhanced by a new shock absorber valve design front and rear for a smoother and more comfortable ride too.

I found the new rear wishbone axle to make the Corolla Hatch most responsive up Helshoogte Pass — I felt very safe throwing it around the bends — the hatch is definitely a drivers car and I believe the sedan will be less so when it comes. Automatic selection may be slightly delayed from first to second on pull away, but overall the 10-step gear-change is smooth and responsive — possibly the best CVT I have driven yet.

Longer, lower and thus sleeker than the outgoing Auris, new Corolla’s funky face features daytime running all-LED headlamp clusters starring beneath a flatter, curved edge clamshell bonnet and a narrow upper grille above a trapezoidal lower mesh grille in Toyota’s signature ‘catamaran’ look to emphasise its width and an aggressive, broad and sporting stance. Stance is very important in many areas of the SA market!

A sharper rear windscreen angle and muscular haunches bring a more compact appearance with All-LED lighting at the rear too, atop a ‘catamaran’ look rear bumper look with a blacked out lip, all nestling beneath a roof spoiler and shark fin antenna. Corolla hatch comes in six colours, including new Scarlet Metallic Red, Oxide Bronze and Caribbean Blue hues.

Step inside to discover how well Toyota met its ambitions of high visual and tactile quality in a spacious, modern and cohesive cabin with ergonomically practical and eye-catching new textures, colours and trims. A slim instrument panel in a wraparound cockpit adds to the sense of space, while also improving forward visibility, with the driver sitting lower and closer to the ground in more engaging position.

Corolla's sporty and comfy Alcantara-clad seats are further enhanced with wider shoulder support and broader side bolsters to really grip your upper body and thighs when cornering in high-grade Xr models. Add better body load-spreading new rear seat cushion material, which are foldable using a remote lever to create a fully flat extension to the loadspace.

I was pleasantly surprised by new Corolla Hatch’s high quality cabin with cool finishes, while those bucket seats keep you nicely in place too, although they can also make you feel a bit boxed in and claustrophobic on a longer drive. Suspension feels a little hard on a bumpy road, but that all makes Corolla Hatch more of a drivers car.

Corolla Hatch also features a host of active and passive safety features, with standard Vehicle Stability Control, a full suite of electronic aids present from ABS with EBD and Brake Assist to Hill-assist Control, ISOFIX child seat attachments and seven driver and passenger, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags.

All Corolla Hatch models get a 6-services/90 000km Service Plan at 15 000km or annual intervals and a 3-year/100 000km warranty. 

I did not have high expectations when I set off, but I came home mightily impressed with this new Corolla hatchback. Does the VW Golf have anything to worry about? I'd say so for sure — the world’s best selling car is back with a vengeance!

1.2T Xs 6MT – R336K

1.2T Xs CVT – R347K

1.2T Xr CVT – R367K