Toyota Corolla 2.0 XSE CVT 2019 review
January 01, 2019
This largely new car revives an old name but rides on a fresh platform and replaces the Auris, which was engineered specifically for Europe and sold largely here.
Like Corollas past, this one is a world car, although the flexibility of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform philosophy promises a car potentially more suitable for European tastes than the Auris ever was.
Like the Auris, the Corolla will be built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant, and it will be offered with the familiar 1.2-litre petrol engine and a choice of two petrol hybrid powertrains of either 1.8 litres and 118bhp, or 2.0 litres and 176bhp. Both of these come with CVT automatic transmissions, as is Toyota’s hybrid way, whereas the 1.2 has a six-speed manual.
At the core of this new Corolla is a body structure that’s no less than 60% stiffer, underpinned by an all-new suspension that includes a multilink rear axle as standard and the option of electronic dampers. Apart from its extra strength, an additional benefit of the TNGA hardware is its lower centre of gravity. Also much improved from the Auris – and it needed to be – is the Corolla’s interior.
US-spec model suggests there’s plenty of promise in the new Corolla for those who enjoy their driving
Toyota Corolla specification
Where Pasadena, USA Price US$25,385 On sale March 2019 Engine 1987cc, 4-cylinder petrol Power 166bhp at 6600rpm Torque 155lb ft at 4800rpm Gearbox CVT automatic Kerb weight1391kg Top speed not stated 0-62mph not stated Fuel economy not stated CO2 not stated Rivals Ford Focus, Honda Civic, VW Golf