WHEN you think of the latest Toyota Corolla the first thing that comes to mind may not be the fact that the 13th generation model is made entirely in Great Britain.
But that is very much so as their 2024 hatchback and touring sports (estate) models are built in Burnaston near Derby with 1.8-litre hybrid engines produced in Deeside, North Wales.
It is also the first UK model to feature Toyota’s new full hybrid electric technology with self-charging powertrains delivering more power with higher efficiency.
Other firsts are a new Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system, a 12.3-inch digital driver display and the latest Toyota Safety Sense package with enhanced and additional active safety and driver assistance systems – it can even get software updates over-the-air via the car’s data communications module.
The history of the Corolla is an object lesson in Toyota’s kaizen principle – the commitment to continuous improvement. That’s how Corolla has remained a core model in the company’s global line-up since 1966 and remains the world’s best-selling car with 50 million plus sold so far.
The Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports are available in four equipment grades: Icon, Design, GR Sport and Excel.
Significant changes include refreshed exterior and interior styling, new alloy wheel designs, headlights, colour options and upholstery choices.
The fifth generation of Toyota’s self-charging full hybrid electric technology is the heart of the new Corolla with higher performance and improved efficiency. The changes include a more powerful lithium-ion battery with total power from the 1.8-litre system of 138bhp bringing a faster 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds. For the 2.0-litre total output has risen to 193bhp with a 0 to 62 time of 7.4 seconds.
The new lithium-ion hybrid battery, housed beneath the rear seats, is smaller and lighter but has 14 per cent more power. Toyota has also improved cooling to help preserve battery life.
The Corolla has a new front camera that has a wider view and the front millimetre-wave radar has also been improved so that it can detect obstacles closer to the front of the car than before.
Top Excel grade models now have a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with auto braking. The drive select system has Eco, Comfort, Normal and Sport modes.
All models also come with a 10.5-inch high-definition touchscreen display (with conventional dial controls for air conditioning and audio). Tech includes cloud-based navigation with real-time traffic event information and navigation plus on-board voice control and wireless smartphone integration alongside Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other useful functions include fixed speed camera locations and weather alerts.
GR Sport and Excel models can be specified with a bi-tone paint finish, combining the body colour with a contrast black roof, pillars and rear spoiler. Ash Grey and Pure White bi-tone are exclusive to the GR Sport.
For the interior things are more premium with new graphics, trims and embossed patterns on upholstery surfaces. LEDs are now used for all the interior lights and on GR Sport models the GR logo is embossed on the front head rest and the push-button starter.
Our test car was in range topping Excel trim with the smaller 1.8CVT motor and in Bi-Tone colours which comes in at £34,240 while the range starts at £30,505 for the hatchback Icon model. The Excel Touring Sports is the most expensive at £37,700.
Like all Toyotas the Corolla feels well put together, is comfortable and surprisingly quick in Sport mode yet gives great fuel figures with around 50 mpg possible and, being a hybrid, will be ULEZ exempt.
For more info see www.toyota.co.uk
By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth