Toyota Corolla SX 2019 Review

It would be fair to say the 12th-generation Toyota Corolla marked a true step-change when it launched here in August 2018.

All the little niggles that had dogged the previous-generation were more-or-less attended to and, at the same time, the Corolla's safety credentials took a giant leap forwards.

But if the old niggles (a decrepit 1.8-litre engine that had been around for ages, and a reputation for stolidity rather than frivolity) were gone, the company deftly introduced bold new ones: A distinct downgrade in boot size and an attendant reduction in rear-seat passenger space.

The problem here is that there's no immediate fix: If Toyota ultimately accepts it got its sums wrong it will take until the next-generation Toyota Corolla to make a correction. Maybe the company just reckons small-hatchback buyers don't worry too much any more about practical provisions. And those who do, lean towards SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 anyway.

Having sampled a good many hybrid versions of the new Corolla, as well as the entry-level, manual-transmission Ascent Sport model, we decided here to go mid-spec, where the majority of customers tend to gravitate.

The Toyota Corolla in question is the $26,870 (before on-roads) SX which only comes with CVT (continuously variable transmission) and adds one or two niceties above the base – already well-equipped – $22,870 Ascent Sport. Indicative of Toyota's desire to push its hybrids, there's a petrol-electric SX too, priced at just $1500 above the regular version reviewed here. There's also the cheapest Corolla hybrid, based on the Ascent Sport, which, at $25,870, actually undercuts "our" conventional SX.

On that basis, why would you buy a regular Corolla when the more economical and less-polluting hybrid can be had for hardly any more outlay? And is the SX worth the $4000 extra spend over the base Ascent Sport? Read on.

The Toyota Corolla SX may not have the impressive tech of the hybrid version, but the 2.0-litre engine brings a new-found sense of vitality. Right from startup there's a muted but appealing buzz –not dissimilar to that of Mazda's SKYACTIV powerplants – which suggests there's some on-road briskness in store.

The 125kW/200Nm outputs are pretty good for a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre, and work well with the latest Toyota CVT system, which incorporates a new "launch" gear for better response of the line. As a result, the Corolla feels muscular right from the get-go, while reverting to regular belt-and-pulley CVT operation once under way. Engine outputs tend to occur high in the rev range (the maximum 200Nm is developed at 4400rpm, while power doesn't peak until 6600rpm) but the CVT deals with that effectively to help deliver strong passing power out on the highway. Certainly there's no trace of the old 1.8-litre here.

And the economy is impressive: We recorded 5.9L/100km over a week of testing that included urban and highway work – better than the official 6.3L/100km and better than the 6.9L/100km recorded in our previous manual-transmission Ascent Sport. Previous testers have found the hybrid stays close to the official figures too.

As an added bonus, all Corollas run on regular unleaded fuel.

The 12th-generation Corolla hatch launched in Australia in August 2018, offering three basic grades: Ascent Sport, SX as reviewed here, and premium-spec ZR. All except the base Corolla Ascent Sport – which is available with a six-speed manual gearbox – are exclusively fitted with a CVT, while there's a hybrid version of each model grade.

The small-car demographic, like just about every other category in Australia, is unquestionably changing. From being seen once upon a time as a sort-of halfway house between compact personal cars and family cars, the small hatch is probably more in favour nowadays with those who are simply resistant to buying SUVs.

The bitter truth is that the small cars, which once pulled the skids out from under full-size family cars in terms of sales are themselves being undermined by the combined onslaught of generally more practical SUVs – which, in turn, are under attack from increasingly-sophisticated 4x4 workhorse pickups.

As mentioned earlier, small hatchbacks are vulnerable to the more-accommodating SUVs because of their limited passenger-carrying capacity (more than four adults is a squeeze in the Corolla) and shrinking luggage-carrying abilities. The Toyota's 217 litres of boot space is far from impressive and well short of the bulk of its competition, which includes the BN series Mazda3 (308 litres), Hyundai i30 (395 litres) and Ford Focus (316 litres).

Even though every Corolla these days is well catered for in terms of equipment and safety, the SX version still offers more glitz than the base Ascent Sport.

The extra $4000 buys you built-in satellite navigation, climate-control air-conditioning and a teensy bit of extra safety tech – namely, blind-spot monitoring which comes on top of the Corolla's universally-standard autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian avoidance and lane-departure warning/lane-keep assist. There's also keyless entry/starting, a wireless phone charger (and a USB point), LED "fog" lights and auto-retracting rear-view mirrors. The SX also gets paddle shifters, a glammed-up steering wheel and gear lever, and DAB+ radio.

The Toyota Corolla SX in some ways actually underlines the well-equipped nature of the base Ascent Sport, which can be optioned-up (with such things as satnav and DAB radio) to more-or-less equate its upmarket sibling and still cost less. Granted, blind-spot monitoring, climate-control, keyless operation, wireless phone charging and retracting rear-view mirrors remain unavailable but $4000 does nevertheless represent a big chunk of the purchase price. And for that extra $1500 you could step up into an SX-spec hybrid equivalent.

You pays your money, you makes your choice.

2019 Toyota Corolla SX pricing and specifications:
Price: $26,780 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 125kW/200Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP