It’s one of the longest-running names in the family car game, and it deserves its devout following as a used car. We explain why
Oliver Young oliver.young@haymarket.com
BUYING GUIDE
In production 2018-present Price from £9000 Our favourite version 1.8 Hybrid Icon
MORE COROLLAS HAVE rolled out of Toyota factories than there are people living in Spain. Think about that: more cars than an entire country’s population – and not a small one at that. The Corolla is the best-selling car of all time, with production numbers exceeding 50 million.
The model has sired a range of body styles over the years. Now in its 12th generation, the current Corolla is available in estate car, van, saloon and family car forms, the latter being our focus here.
You can find them with a 112bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine, although few original owners went this route, leading to the engine’s demise in 2020. Instead, most people go for one of the two petrol-electric hybrid set-ups.
The first consists of a 1.8-litre engine and electric motor that makes a combined 120bhp. The second is a 2.0-litre engine and electric motor that, together, produce 178bhp.
In 2022, the Corolla received an update. There were subtle styling changes, interior and infotainment tweaks and a few upgrades to the engine range; the 1.8-litre option was turned up to 138bhp, with the 2.0-litre rising to 193bhp.
Entry-level Icon trim is well equipped, getting dusk-sensing headlights, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and 16in alloy wheels. Icon Tech adds some extras, including sat-nav and parking sensors.
Design brings 17in alloy wheels, heated door mirrors and privacy glass. Rangetopping Excel adds part-leather seats and even bigger (18in) wheels.
As an alternative to the Corolla, you might want to consider the Ford Focus. It’s not available as a full hybrid (just a mild hybrid), but it’s good to drive and cheaper to buy. If you want something more premium yet similarly priced, the previous-gen Audi A3 is a great choice. You can get that car as a plug-in hybrid, dubbed the e-tron.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The lower-powered Corollas – the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.8-litre hybrids – offer acceleration that’s acceptable in most situations, including joining motorways. The 2.0-litre hybrids are punchier, plus they respond far more eagerly when you squeeze the accelerator pedal. Will you notice the extra poke of the later hybrid engines over their predecessors?
