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Toyota Corolla 2023

Well, the Toyota Corolla. In fact, who doesn’t know him? Virtually every generation still living has grown up with it. The Corolla’s success story began back in 1966. Anno 2023 is already the twelfth generation. To keep the model in the spotlight of individuals and especially business drivers, Toyota is giving the Corolla a hefty upgrade for 2023. What all has the brand adapted? How expensive is a 2023 Toyota Corolla? And how economical are the hybrid powertrains? We have a lot of questions. Time for answers.

From price

The updated Toyota Corolla has a starting price of 33,995 euros. This price then applies to the five-door hatchback. By far the majority of Corolla buyers opt for the Touring Sports, the station wagon. It starts at 36,795 euros in the Netherlands. Additional advantage: you get it directly as a 1.8 Hybrid. That brings us directly to the first novelty.

Toyota Corolla 2023: Is it really that much improved? – AutoRAI TV

Two hybrid powertrains

Toyota’s fifth hybrid powertrain comes in two variants: a 1.8-liter and a 2.0-liter. Toyota has continued to refine both powertrains. Thanks to a redesigned Power Control Unit (PCU), transaxle motor and a stronger and, most importantly, smaller lithium-ion battery, the new Corolla is up to 18 kilograms lighter and system power increases to 140 hp. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes 9.2 seconds due to the increased power, a gain of 1.8 seconds. We previously drove this powertrain in the Suzuki Swace, a car technically identical to the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

2.0 Hybrid with almost 200 hp!

The test car in this story involves a very fat one. You are, in fact, looking at the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 2.0 High Power Hybrid GR Sport Plus. Quite a mouthful. The 2.0 Hybrid also benefits from more power. The 2.0-liter variant now has an output of 196 hp, which now completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.5 seconds. This is almost half a second faster than before.

Lower CO2 emissions

Both hybrid powertrains have lower CO2 emissions than before: the 1.8-liter now has emissions from 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer (2 grams lower than before) and the 2.0-liter has emissions from 102 grams per kilometer (16 grams lower than before). For private individuals not very interesting, for business drivers again.

Particularly economical

Okay, what should such a GR Sport Plus cost? About 48,000 euros. Yep, that’s a lot of money. With some options, that price goes as high as 50,000 euros. Then we begin to have doubts about whether you might be better off investing in a battery-electric car like the Toyota bZ4X. That starts as low as 47,090 euros these days. Regardless of what the better choice is, the nearly 200-hp hybrid powertrain proves to be a delightful power unit in practice. It offers nice torque down low and provides a pleasant push when more power is desired. With the greatest of ease, you can drive economically despite the higher power. On average, we score 1 in 20. With an output of nearly 200 hp, this is extremely economical. Thus, you can also travel considerable distances on a full fuel tank. Think about 750 to 800 kilometers with a 43-liter fuel tank. Isn’t that nice: lots of power and low consumption.

Toyota further made some adjustments to ensure that the acceleration feels more natural to the driver. Previously, the focus was on linear acceleration. Now, a new tuning of the hybrid steering has resulted in acceleration that better matches accelerator pedal use and driver intent. And you notice this in practice. The powertrain is more responsive and alert. The car also brakes more naturally when lifting the accelerator pedal. On the highway, the hybrid powertrain revs less than before, resulting in less noise and more quiet on board.

Cosmetic modifications

OK, so the 2023 Toyota Corolla has had a technical upgrade. But what else has been modified? The Corolla Hatchback and Corolla Touring Sports received modifications to the grille and fog lamp surrounds before 2023. The design of the alloy wheels has also been changed. Two new colors are also available: Juniper Blue Metallic is the new main color for the Corolla, and there is also a choice of Ash Grey Metallic.

New 18-inch alloy wheels have been designed for the new Corolla GR Sport, and the rear bumper also has a new shape. The seats in the Corolla Hatchback and Corolla Touring Sports have a new finish with the GR logo embossed in the headrests. But then what is the difference between the GR Sport and GR Sport Plus? Quite simply, the GR Sport has a 1.8 Hybrid. This GR Sport Plus has the 2.0-liter powertrain. So the “plus” refers to extra power.

Interior Toyota Corolla 2023

Always nice when a manufacturer listens to feedback from a journalist. Choosing between adaptive cruise control and normal cruise control or a speed limiter is now child’s play at the touch of a button. Previously, that required complicated button tricks. Now choosing is just much easier. A lot of other manufacturers could learn from that.

The Corolla’s interior also has hefty displays. The large 10.5-inch multimedia display has a high definition screen with an anti-glare screen. The Corolla also gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, where the driver can choose what information to display and also choose from four different modes: Casual, Smart, Sport and Tough.

A number of external services are also available using the MyT app, which allows drivers to use their smartphone to lock or unlock the car, control the climate control to heat or cool the cabin prior to a trip, activate the hazard lights and locate their vehicle.

Driver assistance systems

Toyota has also further improved some driver assistance systems. For example, Pre-Collision System (PCS) is more effective in urban traffic scenarios and can now recognize potential head-on collisions even better. Thanks to Intersection Collision Avoidance, the car can now identify approaching traffic across two lanes, as well as cyclists and vehicles approaching from the side. There is also protection against sudden, unintended use of the accelerator pedal when driving at low speed, with a new acceleration suppression function. Finally, Emergency Steering Assist helps the driver keep the car within the lane when trying to avoid a hazard such as a pedestrian, cyclist, parked car or – thanks to detection enhancements – motorcyclist.

And so there are many more systems to mention. How nice: what you don’t like, you simply switch off via the on-board computer. For example, the lane assist always goes off in our case. The system steers against at points where you don’t want it to. On the highway fine, but on rural roads no fun.

Conclusion Toyota Corolla 2023 review

There is no doubt that the Toyota Corolla is better than ever. It is more complete, beautifully finished and stronger than ever. In addition, the hybrid powertrains prove once again that high power and low consumption can coexist just fine. In addition, the Corolla is just as spacious as before. Especially as a Touring Sports, it is an absolutely delightful family car. But that comes at a price, because the Corolla is not cheap.