Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

World’s best-selling car (finally) gets long-overdue update

By Imthishan Giado

This might give you an idea of how long it’s been since the last tenth-generation Corolla was unveiled; it was already two years old when Justin Bieber croaked out Baby for an unwitting worldwide audience on YouTube.

A long wait for the Corolla faithful then. And considering that there have been 40 million Corollas sold with that nameplate since 1996, a heavy burden for Toyota’s designers, one which they seemingly shirked with the last car. But hope is here at last, for the new Corolla – a byword for dull, safe transportation for millions – is a smart looking thing.

The production car leans heavily on the styling of the Furia Concept that was first shown at Detroit in January, with a look that’s known as ‘Iconic Dynamism’.  Against the odds, the final car looks very similar to that striking concept with sharper more pronounced features, finely-sculpted flanks and neatly integrated tail lights. Where the new RAV4 and Camry flirted with this design language, the new Corolla goes all the way – so to speak. Oh, and LED headlights are now standard across the range, so good luck going to your local EPPCO and finding a replacement bulb.

Don’t be fooled; despite the punched-up prizefighter looks this car is actually four inches longer than its predecessor, the growth well hidden by the shorter front and rear overhangs. The red car you see in the pictures here is an S version with all the trimmings – the green car is a base trim, hubcaps and all. Shorn of the glitzy 17-inch wheels and chrome brightwork it strongly resembles the eighth-generation car – which was probably one of the best Corollas ever built.

The interior is where things really take a left turn. Where old Corolla was Blandsville USA, this new car shows that Toyota isn’t above pinching from the Lexus playbook with a cleanly-integrated central stack and well-detailed switchgear. Wisely, Toyota resisted the urge to raid the massive corporate parts bins – with the exception of the clock, which comes from the Toyota 86.

Standard equipment includes the aforementioned LED headlamps, power windows and locks and Bluetooth and eight airbags. Higher models will get Smart keyless entry, climate control and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Two engines will be offered at launch: an 1.8-litre four cylinder with 132bhp and a ‘Valvematic’ version of the same motor with 140bhp (Valvematic offering a broader range of variable valve timing and lift).

Following global trends, all cars except the base model get a new CVT transmission with a ‘Sport’ Mode. Base get a four-speed auto – shame on you, penny-pinching Toyota! – and a six speed manual. No prizes for guessing which one probably ends up here.