Toyota Corolla 2017 Review

Exiting the dealership in your brand new, made-in-Thailand, Toyota Corolla sedan, you can be confident you've made a sensible choice, and should expect a satisfying but elementary driving experience. But it's unlikely you’ll be rushing to start a Corolla appreciation blog.

A quick walk around the latest Toyota Corolla sedan reveals an exterior design which sits on the fence dividing style and function. Clearly it's not as visually exciting as some of its Asian and European rivals but, in the Toyota way, it's not going to make you grimace.

Both the front and rear ends have been restyled or facelifted, providing the current generation with a slightly sleeker persona than its predecessors.

Those handsome looks are good, but most Corolla buyers prioritise low running costs ahead of styling. And in the running costs calculations, Corolla stacks-up well – until you dig deeper.

The entry-level Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan with an automatic transmission is priced at $23,490 (plus on-road costs), ranking it among the more affordable vehicles in the small sedan segment. Corolla Ascent's standard package includes a rear view camera, 7.0 inch infotainment touchscreen setup, steel wheels, LED brake lights, remote central locking and a remote boot release.

Toyota's three-year, 100,000km warranty is now eclipsed by the likes of Mitsubishi and Hyundai. However, Toyota's capped-price servicing program, pegged at $140 per service, required every 10,000km, is one of the most compelling on offer. And that $140 price won't change for the first 60,000km or three years of ownership.

Then, when you consider Toyota's deserved reputation for reliability, the conclusion must be that owning a Corolla – even beyond its warranty period – is unlikely to break the bank.

The neatly integrated touchscreen system is the focal point of the cockpit and although this infotainment system is not compatible with phone mirroring software such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, streaming audio via Spotify and Sound Cloud via regular Bluetooth connection works well.

I like the Toyota Corolla sedan's steering wheel buttons too. Not because they look as though they've travelled forward through time from the late 1980s, but because they're large, functional and easy to use with just a glance.

The seats won’t win any aesthetic awards but are fit for purpose, equal parts hardwearing and comfortable, and interior space for adult passengers is good.

Officially, Toyota Corolla is a small car, but there's certainly sufficient space in the back seat for two adults (separated by a fold-down centre armrest), or three if you don’t mind getting cosy.

The boot is likewise practical with 470 litres of cargo space, which is enough room to swallow a baby stroller or two large suitcases. That said, prominent rear suspension struts do impede the boot space.

Fold down rear seats allow a pass through area, so you can fit longer loads like flat pack furniture or skis.

Incidental storage is good, with the expected cubbies, bottle holders in the doors, a small lidded area under the central armrest, a useful glove box and a little shelf for your phone. However families will give a thumbs-down to just one solitary USB port.

Drive is to the front wheels and we tested both the six-speed manual and the somewhat slow reacting seven-speed continuously variable automatic transmission. The manual can get tiresome in traffic but offers a more engaging experince.

Toyota's CVT doesn't drone too much and surprisingly it can make good use of the Corolla's meagre output (103kW and 173Nm).

That said, and compared to some rivals, the Toyota Corolla sedan can feel underpowered. This is especially evident when, loaded with people and luggage, an overtaking manoeuvre is called for at 110km/h on the freeway.

In terms of fuel consumption, the Toyota Corolla is relatively efficient on the freeway, but tends to be thirsty around town. Toyota claims a rate of 6.8L/100km, but our figures were closer to 8L/100km.

Fuel tank capacity is 55 litres and Corolla can be filled with 91 RON unleaded which is often the most affordable petrol at the pump… another important factor in keeping ownership costs low.

Effortless to drive and easy to park thanks to light steering and predictable (read: soft) throttle response, the Corolla is at home in the suburbs or on the freeway and excellent ride comfort ensures long trips on country back roads aren't too tiresome.

Softly sprung suspension and cushy tyres let you flow over bumps and road ructions – and if you ask most Corolla buyers they’ll tell you there is a lot to be said for suspension which cocoons the driver and passengers from the sometimes sharp severity of the outside world these days.

Close your eyes, imagine ash timber veneers plus the odd polished metal inlay and you could almost be convinced you’re sitting in a luxury car.

Then there is the Corolla’s electronic stability control program which Toyota’s engineers have calibrated very proactively. It determinedly refuses to break traction and you get the impression it is physically incapable of infringing any hoon laws.

That said, Toyota needs to include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard. Independent safety authority ANCAP strongly advocates AEB, and if the Corolla was today re-tested according to ANCAP’s current standards, it may struggle to achieve a five-star rating.

To get AEB in your Corolla requires an outlay of another $1500 for Toyota’s ‘Safety Sense Pack’, which ups to asking price to $24,990. Add on-road costs and the total is nudging $30,000 and now the Corolla isn’t looking quite so affordable.

The safety pack also adds a lane departure warning system, automatic high beam headlights which dip the beams when other cars are detected and 15-inch alloy wheels.

On the downside, Corolla lacks important safety features as standard, the infotainment setup is already a generation behind and the styling is like a meal devoid of flavour.

You know what though? Feeding a family is not always about aromatic flavours and exotic ingredients. Sort of why the Toyota Corolla remains one of the world's best-selling cars: it consistently gets the job done…nothing more, nothing less.

2017 Toyota Corolla Ascent sedan pricing and specifications:
Price: $23,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 103kW/174Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed continuously variable
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP