Toyota Corolla 2023, much more efficient

After 12 generations and 56 years on the market, the Toyota Corolla has already accumulated more than 55 million units sold worldwide and is proclaimed the best-selling model in the brand’s history. After a name change –Auris– and a GTI variant, the first hybrid version arrived in 2010, a technology that has been retained in every subsequent generation. Today the Corolla is the leader in the C-segment in Spain and the benchmark among fleet vehicles, with more than 42% of the taxi market in Spain and, with the new, more emotional generation, the brand aims to win over even more customers.

Interestingly, Spain, one of the main markets for this model, accounts for more than 55% of sales of the estate body style, Touring Sports; just over 40% are sold as the Hatchback and 5% are Sedan versions, which are strongly oriented towards business fleets and passenger transport and taxi services. The Corolla has already established itself as the leader of the C-segment, with a market share of close to 20% and more than 16,000 units sold in 2022.

More technology

In addition to a slightly modernised styling with updated front and rear light clusters, more wraparound bumpers, new wheel designs and body colour combinations, the new edition of the Corolla features a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch central multimedia screen. It now also offers a range of connected services, such as over-the-air (OTA) wireless software updates, wireless connection to iOS smartphones via Apple CarPlay and wired connection to Android devices, the MyT app with the ability to remotely lock and unlock doors, switch on the hazard lights to help locate the car, control the eCare maintenance schedule or operate the air conditioning remotely, including starting the car from the mobile device.

Some safety systems and driver assistance aids have been improved, such as the pre-collision system, with a wider operating range and better camera focus, which has also allowed greater accuracy in the traffic sign recognition system and the lane keeping assist device.

Likewise, new safety features have been incorporated, such as intersection collision support, emergency steering assist, rear cross-traffic and side collision assist, the low-speed inadequate acceleration control system, the emergency stop system and online system updates for 10 years.

Fifth-generation hybrid

This new edition draws on the experience of more than 25 years of hybrid model production and more than 25 million electrified vehicles worldwide. Apart from a visual refresh and an upgrade in equipment, mainly in terms of information, the real novelty of the 2023 Corolla lies in the calibration of the hybrid system, which delivers better response and a more enjoyable driving experience. The engine control unit, now more compact, has been redesigned and is more efficient. The battery has also been improved: it is now lithium-ion, lighter (-14% weight), smaller and more powerful (+14%), increasing its charge capacity by 13% compared with the previous edition; the transaxle has been modified, a lower-viscosity oil that reduces friction has been used, and engine response time has been reduced.

Depending on the body style, two different engines are offered, with displacements of 1.8 and 2.0 litres, with outputs of 140 and 196 CV respectively, although electric performance improves by 32% in the case of the 1.8 and by 4% in the 2.0. In the 1.8, performance improves considerably, with a power increase of 14% over the previous model and a 1.7-second improvement in the 0–100 km/h acceleration, while maintaining the same level of _CO2 emissions as before. In the 2.0, the power increase is 6% over the previous model, reducing the 0–100 km/h acceleration time by 0.4 seconds compared with the previous 2.0 and also lowering the _CO2 level by 3 g/km.

In addition to improving throttle response, it allows the car to be driven on the road at lower engine speeds, which reduces noise levels, lowers fuel consumption and extends engine life. It is true that the CVT gearbox is not ideal for sporty driving, but in town or on inter-urban journeys it is very comfortable and pleasant, especially in the 2.0, which offers less slippage, higher torque and lower consumption.

The 140H has noticeably improved its acceleration delay, and only under very lively driving is a greater “high engine revs” effect noticeable. We were able to verify that the battery offers an excellent level of recharging, not only when the “B” mode is engaged, but also as soon as the accelerator is released and the engine’s regeneration mode is activated. It offers three driving modes: Normal, Eco and Sport, which modify the accelerator and gearbox response parameters, allowing more relaxed, economical or dynamic driving depending on the needs of the moment.

Only when driving a little more sportily does fuel consumption suffer, exceeding 6.5 litres per 100 km, since at a relaxed pace within the legal limits it is easy to maintain figures around 5 l/100 km.

The most powerful version, with estate body and GR Sport trim, has paddle shifters which, although not fully functional gearshifts, allow you to play with the gear locks and improve deceleration figures with the help of the engine. In terms of dynamics there are no noticeable changes, although small adjustments have been made to the suspension calibration, which are not very significant for handling.

Full range

As in the previous generation, the Corolla range currently offers three body styles: a five-door Hatchback, a four-door Sedan and the Touring Sports estate, to which an SUV-type body, the Corolla Cross, will be added later on. The range is already available for customer deliveries. It is offered in seven different trim levels, named: Eco, Business, Active Plus, Style, Style Plus, Style Edition and GR Sport.

The Sedan body is only offered in the 140H version (1.8 engine), in Eco, Style and Style Plus trims, while the 5-door Hatchback is available with the 140H engine in Business, Active Plus and Style Edition trims, and with the 200H engine in GR Sport trim. For its part, the Touring Sports estate version, the best-selling one, is offered with the 140H engine only in Active Plus trim, and with the 200H engine in Style, Style Edition and top-of-the-range GR Sport trims.

Technical specifications of this car

SedanToyota Corolla12 versions · from 31,400 €