Booted And Fit For Purpose

Just about everyone has a Corolla story. If you haven’t owned or driven one to have your own tale, there’s a high probability you’ll know someone who has, given some 47 million units have been sold since its inception in 1966.

- Trent Giunco

That’s one Corolla sold globally every 20 seconds. So well honed is the Corolla formula that Toyota has rarely dared to be different. That changed in generation 12 as the hatch debuted with TNGA underpinnings, Lexus-like design elements and a more tech-heavy cabin. Now the sedan gains the same treatment and, for once, the fourdoor variant doesn’t look like an afterthought. Plus, for the first time, the sedan gains a hybrid powertrain.

That’s the headline news in terms of variants, with the petrol Ascent Sport manual kicking off the range at $23,335 and topping out at $33,635 for the ZR petrol. The hybrid is only offered in Ascent Sport and SX guises, with prices of $26,335 and $29,735 respectively.

The Ascent Sport Hybrid gains Toyota Safety Sense, with features like AEB with day and night-time pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign assist and auto high beam. The entire Corolla range has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.