New-look Toyota Corolla arrives

Toyota has whipped the covers off its updated Corolla, currently Australia's most popular small car, revealing two sleek but distinct new designs, heralding significant fuel efficiency gains along with more equipment and softer suspension.

Entry-level models have risen in price slightly, from $19,490 to $19,790, while the sporty ZR model is up by $1000 to $28,990, but Toyota says the
price increases are ameliorated by the inclusion of more features, such as improved touch-screen infotainment systems and reversing cameras now standard across the range.

The mid-range SX model's price remains unchanged while the seven-speed Multi-drive automatic adds $2,000. Metallic and pearl paint add $450 and a panoramic roof can be added to the ZR for $1,500. The 2015 Toyota Corolla face-lifted price list is as follows:

Ascent $19,790
Ascent Sport $20,790
SX $23,490
ZR $28,990 (auto only)

As the images show, there are two distinct exterior styles for the updated Corolla hatch – basic and premium. The more affordable Ascent and Ascent Sport models get a more sleek front-end look via the slimmer headlight clusters and a revised grille, while the up-spec SX and ZR variants feature a more aggressive motif, complete with more dominant front fascias, side skirts, a roof spoiler and new 17-inch alloy wheels.

The ZR models also get LED driving lights and headlights, while all models get a shark-fin roof antenna. Eight exterior colours are offered, with two new hues, Blue Gem and Citrus.

The bodywork changes mean all models are now 55mm longer, which allowed Toyota's artists to "craft a more dynamic silhouette" says the world's number-one car maker.

Toyota Corolla cabins have been tizzied up for the 2015 mid-life facelift too, with a "reduction in the visual mass" of the dashboard front and centre. All models comes with a new touch-screen infotainment system that controls audio systems, Bluetooth, USB and so on, and also doubles as the reversing camera display.

A new instrument panel is characterised by a blue theme and Toyota Link system is also offered on SX and ZR models, allowing deeper smart-phone integration, enabling weather reports, real-time traffic updates, even fuel and roadside assistance details. Seat trim is fabric across the range, black for the entry models and black/orange for the SX and ZR, the latter adding leather accents.

Toyota is known for delivering low vehicle ownership costs and the Japanese multi-national is now spruiking the Corolla's more efficient 1.8-litre 103kW petrol-engine, which is fitted to every model. Automatic models add $2000 to the cost, but the car should travel further with each fill, with fuel consumption rated at 6.1L/100km, down from 6.6L/100km.

As with all new Toyota vehicles, the Corolla is covered by a capped-price service program costing $140 per service for the first three years.

Automatic models are fitted with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, while the few owners who opt for the cheaper manual will get a six-speed cog-swapper whose fuel efficiency has been reduced from 7.1L/100km to 6.7L/100km.

Toyota says the 103kW four-cylinder petrol engine is "the most powerful Corolla engine available in the world" but it's not the most efficient. Australians miss out on several engines offered in Japan and Europe, including the new 120T 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (85kW/185Nm) engine that uses just 4.6L/100km with an auto transmission.

There's also a number of oilers on offer, including a compact 1.4-litre turbo-diesel (66kW/205Nm) and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (82kW/270Nm), the latter using just 4.1L/100km.

Tweaks to the Corolla's suspension have been made, with revised shock absorbers fitted, claimed to improve ride comfort. The steering has been recalibrated for more weight and all models get hill-start assistance, which stops the car rolling back on steep inclines.

Toyota Australia's executive director, sales and marketing, Tony Cramb argues that the changes made to the Corolla will give it competitive edge in the Aussie market and the option of two different visual styles will help it retain the mantle of Australia's best-selling car by year's end.

"Corolla hatch customers now have a clear choice between two compelling new designs: classic or sporty – both of which deliver a greater presence and visually broader stance," he said.

Cramb will be hoping the new model delivers gains, with Corolla sales slumping by a whopping 30 per cent for the month of May 2015, although its five-month tally for the year of 17,598 is slightly ahead of where it was the year prior.

"Buyers will also be attracted by a more stylish interior, under-the-skin tweaks that dial up the fun-to-drive factor and lower fuel consumption that will result in an even lower cost of ownership," said Cramb.

The second-most-popular vehicle in the small car segment, the Mazda3, trails by around 1300 vehicles with 16,300 sales, giving the Corolla a buffer zone at this stage of the year.

See below for the standard features across the Toyota Corolla model range in Australia.

Ascent
Vehicle stability control
Traction control
Seven airbags
ABS with BA and EBD
Reversing camera
Cruise control
Tilt-and-telescopic steering column
Emergency brake signal
Hill-Start Assist Control
Bi-halogen projector headlamps (manual levelling)
Display audio with 6.1-inch touch screen, six speakers
LCD multi-information display (MID)
Power windows, mirrors and door locks
16-inch steel wheels with full covers
205/55R16 tyres
Manual air-conditioning
Steering-wheel switches (MID, telephone, audio)

Ascent Sport (above Ascent)
16-inch alloy wheels
Seven-inch touch-screen with voice recognition
Toyota Link connected mobility
- Destination Download
- Local search
- Weather
- Traffic
- Toyota Help
Front fog lamps
Premium steering wheel, shift-lever knob
Privacy glass

SX (above Ascent Sport)
Satellite navigation
Live traffic SUNA
Additional Toyota Link functions:
- Destination Assist (pay per use)
- "Navigate to" for Destination Download, Local Search and Fuel Finder
17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45R17 tyres
Front spoiler
Rear bumper skirts
Rear spoiler (roof mounted)
Side skirts
Full-colour 4.2-inch MID screen
Sport front bucket seats
Sport seat trim
Paddle shifters

ZR (above SX)
Alarm
Smart entry and start (keyless)
Bi-LED headlamps (auto levelling)
Headlamp cleaner
LED daytime running lamps
Heated, electrically folding door mirrors
Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning
Leather-accented seat trim
Driver and front passenger seat heaters
Driver's seat power lumbar support