Archive for the ‘KwaZulu Natal Dealers’ Category
New Shape Toyota Corolla | 2010/2011 Toyota Corollas
In October 2007 Toyota South Africa broke boundaries with a new all time sale record with the Toyota Corolla, which also received a EURO NCAP 5-star rating. Today we have the facelifted 2010 Toyota Corolla, a car that has kept Toyota among the top sellers in the country. Corollas are one of the most reliable vehicle models and do consistently well in virtually every type of quality and reliability survey.
The facelift of the 2010 Toyota Corolla applies to all three facets that make up the end product namely the styling, mechanical aspects and the features. However, major changes were kept to a bare minimum and the current model is only scheduled to be replaced by an all-new model in 2014.
Some of the changes include the headlamps having a more angular look and design, creating more of a unity with the new revised grille. The rear brake lights were also modified to coincide with the shoulder lines of the car, as with the new indicator lights incorporated into the side view mirrors. The bumper has also been revised and modified to emphasise the ‘low and wide’ stance of the vehicle. The changes in the cabin are also very subtle and relatively few changes were effected. The new steering wheel comes with a squared-off base and there’s also been some tweaks and modifications to the Optitron instrument panel. Some additional brightwork has also been applied to the centre hang-down console and to the doors. All new Toyota Corollas also come standard with a USB/Aux/iPod line-in in addition to the stylistic changes.
Toyota is renowned for great service, friendly and professional customer assistance and reliable, trustworthy and sturdy vehicles. Comfort and Safety features of the new shape Toyota corolla 1.3 Impact include:
- Front power windows
- BAS – Brake Assist System
- ABS – Anti-lock Brake System
- EBD – Electronic Brake force Distribution
- Driver and Passenger airbags
- Seat belt warning buzzer and lamp
- Auto door lock with speed sensing
In terms of security, the new Toyota Corolla has a transponder key immobiliser and a double door lock system. The vehicle comes with a 5-year/90,000 km service plan and a 3-year/100,000 km roadside assistance agreement.
A welcome mechanical change is the fitment of a standard 6-speed manual transmission across the range, even on the baseline 1.3-litre Corolla. The 1300 engine is modern and improves on both the power and torque outputs of its 1.4-litre predecessor and while 74 kW is perfectly competitive for the class, 132 N.m is rather little for a heavy-set saloon like the Corolla and performance is only just passable at sea level; at altitude, the car is very sluggish and hills present a challenge in the rather tall top gear.
That said, fuel consumption is commendable and R180,000 is not a lot of money for a roomy compact saloon.However, put into perspective, the 1.3 Impact faces very stiff competition and whereas Toyotas once represented excellent value for money, they seem rather expensive nowadays. The very competent Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 L is only R3,000 more expensive and offers far more modern looks and a more powerful engine. The baseline Nissan Tiida, in 1.6 Visia sedan format, is a full R12,000 cheaper than the Toyota, but arguably rather ugly and not as well equipped, although it has a punchy 1600 engine.
However, it appears that the Corolla’s biggest competition just has to be the new Honda Ballade. In 1.5 i-VTEC Comfort guise, the Ballade is less than R4,000 more expensive than the base Corolla and makes a surprisingly strong case for itself. The mechanical package offers only five gears but with 14 kW more power and 13 N.m more torque in a lighter body, that hardly matters and the Ballade easily outperforms the Corolla while remaining surprisingly light on fuel. It is also extremely spacious inside and the boot is far bigger than the Corolla’s. Add to this the unmatched reliability record of Honda products and it is clear that the 1.3 Corolla is no longer the best buy in this class.
Further up the range, the 1.6-litre Corollas’ 90 kW engine has traditionally put a lot of pressure on the somewhat lacklustre 1.8-litre engine in the top models, hence the replacement of the 1.8 by a 2-litre engine in the current range. At Advanced level, the 1600 Corolla again faces very stiff competition, not least the very capable Chevrolet Cruze again, this time in the highly specced LS trim level and with no less than a 104 kW 1.8-litre engine, making the Corolla seem expensive again.
Another rival is the Honda Civic sedan in LXi trim and although it is getting a little old, it also offers a strong 1800 engine. Similarly old is Jetta 5, but it is certainly in the running, even if, in 1.4 TSI Trendline spec, equipment levels are not that high. What it does offer is a superb 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that will keep up with most rivals at the coast, beat them at altitude and use the least fuel of all. Coupled to a roomy body, top quality levels and a high safety spec, it makes for an interesting – and similarly old – rival to the Corolla.
The new 2-litre engine in the top Corollas perhaps shows the car’s age the most. The 102 kW/189 N.m outputs is unremarkable in the 2-litre class and in this respect, Toyota is falling behind some European rivals like VW with far more efficient, boosted, small-capacity engines (that retain their performance at altitude). Even Mazda has made great strides and its new SkyActiv engine range running on a 14:1 compression ratio is also set to upstage the Corolla.
Which is not to say that the Corolla is a poor car – quite the contrary. In a somewhat staid, conservative way, it offers a safe, roomy and comfortable means of transport that is sure to deliver excellent service in the long run, bolstered by an expansive dealer network. This alone may be reason enough for most people to buy it. However, it is now getting long in the tooth, the engines are falling behind the times and – above all – they have lost their value for money edge.
The Chevrolet Cruze is formidable challenger, especially because it is far newer, more modern and cheaper than the Corolla. The Kia Cerato is also a very compelling package, replete with a 5-year/150,000 km warranty. Jetta 6 will arrive this year, but it will be expensive and for now, the Corolla can hold its own against some other old rivals like the Jetta 5, Civic sedan, Tiida. The 1.3 is asthmatic and the 2-litre overrated, so the best deal is still to be had from a mid-range 1.6-litre model – and it will retain its value best too.
For more information on the new shape Toyota Corolla series kindly contact Toyota so you can take your test drive as soon as possible.
www.toyota.co.za
Tel: 0800 139 111
Email: ccc@tsb.toyota.co.za
Fax: +27 (011) 809 2917
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