Oh goody, is the GR Corolla lastly coming to the UK?

Sadly not – that 300bhp motorsport-bred weapon remains a distant dream on these shores. The Corolla you see above is merely specced out in GR Sport trim, and in spite of the badge, there are no dynamic enhancements to speak of: you just get some GR-badged bits (starter button, seats, sills and so forth) for a sportier appear.

But prior to you click away in disappointment, there’s been some other news on planet Corolla that could have passed you by. Particularly, the debut of Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid-electric technologies, which has brought some further efficiency.

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Go on, I’m listening…

Nicely, your powertrain selections stay 1.eight- and two.-litre hybrids, but they now provide each greater efficiency and greater efficiency courtesy of a redesigned energy manage unit and electric motor, plus a lithium-ion battery that is 14 per cent additional effective but 14 per cent (18kg) lighter than previously.

The 1.eight-litre engine now outputs 138bhp (up 18bhp), bringing a 1.eight-second reduction in the -62mph time to 9.1 seconds, though the two.-litre technique outputs 193bhp (up 15bhp), with half a second obtaining been shaved from the -62mph time, taking it down to 7.four seconds.

The entire technique is also now additional effective than ever prior to, with CO2 emissions from 100g/km for the 1.eight-litre engine and 98g/km for the two.-litre, though fuel economy begins from 64.1mpg. Which all sounds extremely healthier certainly.

That is all properly and excellent on paper, but in the actual planet?

Let’s not beat about the bush: the old 1.eight-litre Corolla was rather slow and uninspiring. Toyota says it is recalibrated the earlier linear accelerator to concentrate on driver input and energy delivery, and though the new 1 is far from hot hatch fast, the enhanced zero to 60mph time is extremely welcome, especially when joining motorways and overtaking. 

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But that is not to say it is any much less vocal when you do floor it, largely due to its CVT gearbox, which remains far much less refined compared to one thing like the new Honda Civic. As soon as up to speed it quietens down nicely, and there’s a surprising quantity of silent operating to be had about town in EV mode, with the dashboard handily (and rather addictively) telling you how a great deal of your journey you just completed applying the electric motor only. It is just that middle ground that remains one thing of a bugbear.

So, light use of the throttle remains the Corolla’s satisfied ground, at which point you will uncover it a fairly companionable cruiser. Our test drive occurred to coincide with a weekend wedding trip that necessary transporting 4 persons and all their luggage from London to Nottingham and back once more: against our GR Sport trim’s claimed 60.1mpg, we saw 49.8mpg, about a quarter of which, we spent in electric mode. And most of that though stuck in the capital, we really should add.

That sounds a bit of a squeeze…

There’s perks to getting the designated driver, do not y’know – your comfort is priority. And in our GR Sport trim’s sportier normal match bucket-like sports seats, I was completely satisfied, in spite of my six foot two frame. No complaints from my up top rated passenger, either.

But you are not incorrect in the rear, exactly where even my companions below six foot located life a small cramped, not helped by these sports seats which consume into knee area. The threat of the train dwelling was adequate to make them pipe down, thoughts.

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We also managed to match all our luggage in the surprisingly spacious boot, although worth nothing at all that exactly where the 1.eight-litre (as we had right here) delivers 361 litres, the two.-litre’s larger engine implies the battery is relocated below the boot floor, shrinking this to 313 litres.

Something else I really should know?

As component of the 2023 updates all models get a customisable 12.three-inch instrument show with a lot of diverse modes to toggle via, along with Toyota’s newest ‘Smart Connect’ ten.five-inch infotainment show as normal, a a great deal welcome upgrade.

Though the OS itself is not the most visually attractive about, it is pleasingly user friendly aside from the absence of any physical switchgear. Even though you do at least get a handy column of shortcut buttons down the left-hand side. Plus, Toyota has employed popular sense and kept the climate manage panel – comprehensive with knobs and buttons – separate. Hurrah!

In any case Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity are lastly normal all through the line-up. As are LED headlights, heated front seats, aircon, wireless charging, a reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors, even on entry-level versions.

How a great deal does it expense?

Rates for the 1.eight-litre start off at £30,210 or £31,955 for the two.-litre in entry-level Icon trim, with an uplift of £570 to Style trim, £1,210 once more to GR Sport trim, and £410 to top rated spec Excel trim. On lease, you are seeking at a beginning value of £420 per month for the 1.eight-litre or £490 per month more than 3 years with an initial deposit of £3k.

There’s no doubt that this is the greatest-seeking generation Corolla but, with this GR Sport trim especially eye-catching, but though the enhanced efficiency is a great deal welcome it nonetheless cannot compete with the likes of the Ford Concentrate, Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf to drive.

Do not ask as well a great deal of it, having said that, and it is expense-helpful, capable (modest) household runaround – no negative point at a time when a lot of of us are feeling the pinch additional than ever.