Toyota Corolla Sedan 2014 Review

A long wheelbase small car may seem on the oxymoronic side, but tell that to Toyota. The biggest car company in the world has just wheeled out a stretched Corolla in Australia.

The new Corolla sedan has a 100 mm longer wheelbase (2700 mm) on a body increased by 80 mm, putting the small car on the cusp of the medium passenger market. The result is more space for five occupants in a cabin that features top quality materials and the latest technology normally found only in more expensive models.

The distance between front and rear seats is also increased 75 mm to 960 mm, while rear seat knee room is up 92 mm. The boot also benefits with 20 litres more volume, up to 470 litres. The lid now has a handle for easier closing.

DESIGN / STYLING

On the outside, Toyota says the Corolla sedan is designed to stir the emotions, that the stylists have made the best of extra body length to come up with "modern prestige", a contemporary look with strong road presence. So there you are...

ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONS

New Toyota Corolla sedan comes in three variants – Ascent, SX and ZR – all powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing coupled with either a six-speed manual or CVT automatic, the latter with seven preset ratios that can be selected manually. The ZR comes in auto only.

PRICES

Prices start from $20,740, plus on road costs, for the Ascent manual, this is $250 less than the previous model, despite having additional features calculated at $2000. The Corolla hatch stays priced from $19,990. The new Corolla sedan is covered by Toyota’s capped price servicing for three years, or 60,000 kilometres at a very reasonable $130 per service.

EQUIPMENT

The Corolla Ascent sedan now has cruise control, reversing camera and audible warning, multi-information display in the speedo, and hands-free phone connection. It rolls on 15-inch steel wheels and has halogen headlamps.

Corolla SX, at $1500 below the discontinued Conquest model includes 16-inch alloy wheels, including spare, front fog lamps, Optitron instruments, keyless entry and start, front sonars and interior chrome detailing.

The top-dog Corolla ZR is $1000 less than the out-going Ultima, with premium features including automatic air-conditioning, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, auto levelling LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, satellite navigation, leather seat accents, eight-way power adjustable driver’s position, paddle gearshifts and acoustic windscreen.

INFOTAINMENT

Each model is fitted with a 6.1-inch touch-screen for Bluetooth, AM/FM tuner, single CD player, USB and iPod inputs and auxiliary jack. Toyota Link makes its debut in the SX and ZR variants, allowing smartphones access to onboard apps that seek out fuel stations, weather updates and local businesses.

SAFETY

Designed and built to win a top five-star safety rating, the new Corolla has seven airbags, whiplash restricting front seats, stability and traction control, and anti-locking brakes.

DRIVING

The Corolla has a lower centre of gravity than in the outgoing model, is lighter yet has a more rigid body. Toyota Australia says its engineers refined the chassis to suit Australian driving conditions, especially on undulating country roads and unsealed and corrugated surfaces, a result borne out during a ZR drive through the Tasmanian countryside, which included the almost-obligatory stretch of roadworks.

Melbourne-based engineers also recalibrated the electric power steering to make parking easier and improve response through roundabouts and on winding mountain stretches. The engine and Multi-drive made light work of the Tassie trip, going about their jobs in a quiet and efficient manner, the 103 kW motor only snarling under load, the tranny perfectly tuned to the driving style, even with the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles in use in manual mode.

Toyota claims combine urban / highway consumption of 6.6 litres of regular unleaded petrol per 100 kilometres. On the launch drive, which included spirited driving on some sections, the ZR used seven litres per 100 kilometres.

VERDICT

Toyota says it's aiming for another sales success with the Corolla sedan, after the hatch topped the Australian lists for 2013. We're reckon they're onto a sure thing.

Toyota Corolla sedan
Price: from $20,740
Warranty: Three years/100,000km
Capped servicing: Yes, $130 every six months/10,000km for first three years
Service intervals: Six months/10,000km
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol, 103kW/173Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual (Ascent and SX), seven-sp CVT auto (Ascent, SX an ZR)
Thirst: 7.0L/100km (manual), 6.6L/100km (auto)
Dimensions: 4620 (L), 1776 (W), 1460 (H), 2700 (WB)
Weight: 1250 to 1295kg
Spare: Full size