Toyota Corolla sedan goes hybrid

The 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan will be launched in Australia from November, available with a hybrid powertrain for the first time.

With claimed fuel consumption of just 3.5L/100km, it's one of the most efficient hybrid sedans in Australia.

Packaged with a five-year warranty and offered with capped-price servicing at $175 per annum (or every 15,000km), the low running-costs may see the efficient new hybrid Corolla sedan ($26,335) populating Uber fleets over time.

Regular Corolla models are priced from $23,335 for the Ascent Sport manual, rising to $33,635 for the range-topping Corolla ZR automatic.

While the prices have risen by a couple of thousand dollars on some models, the price list now aligns with that of the Corolla hatch.

See below for the full price list.

Two engine types are offered, a conventional 2.0-litre petrol engine (125kW/200Nm) that gets a few more herbs and spices, and a 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain (90kW/142Nm) that's augmented by a pair of small electric motors.

Six-speed manual and automatic CVT gearboxes are available, the latter with 10-steps/speeds.

In terms of fuel consumption, the 2.0-litre petrol is good for 6.0l/100km with CVT versions (6.5l/100km manual) while the hybrid is almost as frugal as a Prius, claimed at 3.5L/100km.

The battery pack of the hybrid models is now smaller and flatter and slots in under the rear seats, which won't reduce boot space, claims Toyota, and also allows for 60/40 split-folding rear seats to extend cargo capacity.

Boasting a modern new look and offered with two petrol engine choices, the 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan comes with more standard equipment than before. All models are fitted with automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and LED brake lights, along with alloy wheels.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, displayed through an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with USB and Aux sockets.

Every model except the entry-grade Ascent Sport manual petrol comes with automatic climate control, and the Ascent Sport hybrid models add keyless entry and push-button engine start as standard.

The Safety Sense package is fitted to all Corolla models too, which adds autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with daytime and night-time pedestrian detection, plus daytime cyclist detection, road sign recognition and auto-dipping high beam headlights. All models get seven airbags and a rear view camera too.

Cars equipped with automatic CVT – which will be the vast majority – gain adaptive cruise control and lane-trace functionality with steering assist and lane centring function, which means the car can go, stop and turn by itself, in certain situations.

Manual Ascent Sport models make do with reduced functionality, the adaptive cruise control operating only at speeds above 30km/h, and lane-trace functionality missing from the equipment list.

Mid-spec Toyota Corolla SX and things like wireless phone charger, sat nav with SUNA live traffic and a digital radio tuner join the fray, as does a premium steering wheel.

Top-spec Toyota Corolla ZR sedans are the only models not offered with the hybrid powertrain, but they do get 18-inch alloy wheels, a premium nine-speaker JBL car audio system, self-dimming interior mirror and an electric moon roof.

It also gets sports seats up front, finished in Rezatec and synthetic leather, and the driver's seat has eight-way power adjustment.

The Corolla has consistently been one of the top-selling passenger cars in Australia for the past several years and is currently the most popular small car in Australia.

Although the Corolla hatch always sells in greater numbers, the sedan will help keep its closest rivals honest – those rivals being the Mazda3 and Hyundai i30.