All-New Toyota Corolla Hatchback Hybrid Offers The Best Of Both Worlds.

New Toyota Corolla Hatchback Hybrid – A Modern Icon.

The all-new Toyota Corolla represents a return to the world-famous ‘Corolla’ nameplate, with Toyota’s Ford Focus rival having been know as the Toyota Auris since 2007. The new Toyota Corolla Hatchback is available with a self-charging hybrid (petrol/electric) option, and a pure petrol engine too. Toyota Ireland predicts that 90% of new Corolla sales in Ireland will be of the hybrid variety, with the pure petrol engine model having to make do with a small slice of the market. As many customers now look for an alternative to diesel, Toyota’s vast experience of developing petrol hybrids put the Japanese brand in a strong position. In the Corolla Hatchback Hybrid, you’re effectively getting exactly the same powertrain as the Toyota Prius, but in a more practical package.

Bold & Dynamic Exterior;

The first thing you notice about the all-new Toyota Corolla Hybrid Hatchback is its bold and dynamic exterior, which can be made even more eye-catching with a selection of bi-tone paint options on offer. An attractive low bonnet, a striking wide grille and distinctive headlamps gives it a sleek profile, which is enhnaced by sporty alloy wheels. Built on Toyota’s advanced new TNGA engineering platform, the Corolla Hatch delivers a truly satisfying drive, while a rigid body and low centre of gravity come together to reduce body roll when cornering. Additionally, a double wishbone suspension absorbs shocks more effectively for a noticably smoother ride quality.

Trim & Engine Options;

Four trim levels are available in the New Toyota Corolla Hatchback Hybrid – Aura, Luna, Luna Sport, and range-topping Sol. While the pure petrol engine in the new Corolla Hatchback is a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder unit, the petrol engine in the Hybrid has a cubic capacity of 1,798cc (1.8-litres). With the Hybrid powertrain, Toyota reckons that careful drivers will be able to complete as many as half of their urban miles using just electricity. The fact that the new Corolla Hatchback is a self-charging Hybrid, this effectively means that there will be no cost to the driver when operating in full electric mode. With annual road tax of just €180, low maintenance costs, and regenerative braking helping tyres and brakes last longer, the new Corolla Hatchback Hybrid should prove itself to be an excellent financial proposition. Additionally, there is no clutch to wear out due to the car’s standard CVT (single-speed automatic) gearbox.

Test Car;

My test car was a new Toyota Corolla Hatchback Hybrid in ‘Luna Sport’ specification, and was finished in stylish Pearl White with contrasting Night Sky Black pearlescant paint finish on the roof and exterior door mirrors for maximum impact. With generous standard equipment across the entire range, my test car benefitted from 17” bi-tone black machine-faced alloy wheels, a space-saver spare wheel, rear privacy glass, piano black upper front grille, chrome insert on upper front grille, black lower front grille, black surrounds on front fog lamps, body-coloured front bumper, silver insert on front bumper, body-coloured rear bumper, chrome insert on boot door, body-coloured door mirrors, body-coloured door handles, chrome window frame, shark-fin antenna, follow-me-home headlights, dusk sensor, automatic headlight cut-off, rain sensor, remote boot door release in cabin, power-adjustable & heated door mirrors, automatically retractable door mirrors, remote door lock, underbody protection cover, drive mode selector, rear-view camera, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beam, full-range Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Adjustable Speed Limiter (ASL), Emergency Brake-light Signal (EBS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), front ventilated disc, high-mounted stop lamp (LED type), LED rear brake lights, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), rear combination lamps (LED type), Bi-beam halogen headlamps, LED daytime running lights, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Driver Attention Alert, Lane Trace Assist, eCall emergency call system, Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), Toyota Touch® 2 with ‘Go’ navigation system, and Toyota Touch® 2 multimedia system, along with many more comfort, convenience, and safety features.

Confidence-Inspiring Drivability;

With 122bhp and 142Nm of torque available, the New Corolla Hatchback Hybrid is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 10.9-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 180km/h (where permitted), while returning up to 85.6mpg on a combined driving cycle. The car’s driving dynamics are confidence-inspiring, with strong brake-pedal feel ensuring the car comes to a stop in an efficient and rapid manner. With the new Corolla being so impressive in every area, it makes it the kind of car you can seamlessly slip into and enjoy driving down to the local supermarket, or drive the length and breadth of Ireland.

Spacious Interior;

Thanks to a wheelbase of 2640mm, the Corolla Hatchback Hybrid provides excellent cabin and boot space. The front seats offer a good range of adjustment, so you can easily get comfortable behind the wheel, while generous leg and elbow room can be enjoyed by all occupants. The ultra-modern cabin of the new Corolla Hatchback Hybrid is a very pleasant place to be, with the use of light and dark colours in equal measure, soft-touch materials used in all of the important places, and excellent build quality evident throughout.

Verdict & Pricing;

Stylish, efficient and a joy to drive, the new self-charging Corolla Hatchback is an icon for the modern age. Whatever your lifestyle and whichever body type you choose, you’ll benefit from self-charging hybrid powertrains. This is the first time Toyota has offered a choice of two Hybrid engines – a 1.8 litre Hybrid and a 2.0 litre Hybrid Dynamic Force engine – for the same model. Choose the Corolla Hatchback Hybrid and you will get a terrific family car in every way, with a comfortable ride, lots of standard equipment, and seriously low Co2 emissions. Priced from just €26,370 (ex-works), the Corolla Hatchback Hybrid comes with Toyota’s comprehensive 3-Year/100,000km warranty as standard. Presently, the petrol-only Corolla Hatchback is priced from €24,380 (ex-works), which is inclusive of Toyota’s Petrol Price Reduction Promotion (T’s & C’s apply). Other bodystyles available in the new Toyota Corolla include a saloon, and a Touring Sports (estate).

Visit www.toyota.ie for further information.