Is the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid the car you've been dreaming of?
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The Toyota Corolla has long held a special place in the hearts of Australian drivers.
As one of the country’s best-selling cars for decades, it earned a reputation as a dependable and affordable runabout.
But can the newest 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid recapture the magic of Corolla’s legacy? Let’s take a look.
Do you remember when you could buy a brand-new Toyota Corolla for just $20,000 drive-away? Those days are a thing of the past.
The current starting price for the basic model is around $31,000 drive-away, and if you want the updated ZR Hybrid model featured here, you’ll need about $43,000 drive-away.
That’s roughly $3,000 more than the previous version, although Toyota isn’t the only one raising prices in recent years.
On the bright side, it’s cost-effective, offering an impressive fuel economy of 4.0L/100km and affordable servicing at $205 per year.
Similar to many cars, the Corolla becomes more upscale with each update.
Nowadays, the ZR model’s interior feels rather special, featuring red and black leather trim on heated sports seats borrowed from the GR Corolla hot hatch.
Notable updates to the current model include a digital dashboard display, along with a head-up display and an 8-inch touchscreen that supports wireless smartphone mirroring, all of which are connected to an eight-speaker JBL stereo system.
Furthermore, there’s additional technology, such as a subscription to Toyota’s new suite of online services and a roof-mounted SOS switch that can be used to request assistance in an emergency.
The newest Corolla might appear quite familiar, retaining the same exterior design and 18-inch alloy wheels that have graced Australian roads for the past five years.
However, when you look into the hybrid models and look closer beyond the subtly updated interior, you’ll discover some significant changes.
One impressive improvement is the new lithium-ion battery, which enhances performance in the 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine.
Power is up from 90kW to 103kW, and fuel consumption has decreased from 4.2 to 4.0L/100km, solidifying its position as one of the class's most fuel-efficient choices.
The Corolla stands out in terms of driving experience, offering precise steering, excellent tire grip, and well-balanced suspension that brings a rare level of athleticism to this vehicle. It’s genuinely one of the best cars to drive in its class.
The steering is particularly enjoyable, making it a more engaging choice than previous iterations of the Corolla. The hybrid engine delivers surprising responsiveness, and the e-CVT transmission effectively maintains performance.
Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology extends to a consistent response from the brake pedal, whether the car uses traditional brake discs or the electric motor for slowing down.
However, using low-profile tires can occasionally result in a firmer ride, and there’s noticeable tire noise from the sporty rubber.
Practicality is not a strong suit in the current Corolla lineup.
Toyota offered current-generation Corolla customers a choice between a sportier hatchback and a more conservative sedan.
The sedan features a softer suspension, a spacious trunk, and a longer wheelbase that provides extra legroom for rear-seat passengers.
On the other hand, the hatchback, while delivering a dynamic driving experience and attractive aesthetics, comes with a small trunk and somewhat limited rear seat space.
Experts expect that the next model, expected in showrooms in a few years, will offer improved practicality.
Members, please share your opinions on the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid in the comments below!
As one of the country’s best-selling cars for decades, it earned a reputation as a dependable and affordable runabout.
But can the newest 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid recapture the magic of Corolla’s legacy? Let’s take a look.
Do you remember when you could buy a brand-new Toyota Corolla for just $20,000 drive-away? Those days are a thing of the past.
The current starting price for the basic model is around $31,000 drive-away, and if you want the updated ZR Hybrid model featured here, you’ll need about $43,000 drive-away.
That’s roughly $3,000 more than the previous version, although Toyota isn’t the only one raising prices in recent years.
On the bright side, it’s cost-effective, offering an impressive fuel economy of 4.0L/100km and affordable servicing at $205 per year.
The starting price for the Toyota Corolla range is now $31,000 drive-away. Image source: Toyota
Similar to many cars, the Corolla becomes more upscale with each update.
Nowadays, the ZR model’s interior feels rather special, featuring red and black leather trim on heated sports seats borrowed from the GR Corolla hot hatch.
Notable updates to the current model include a digital dashboard display, along with a head-up display and an 8-inch touchscreen that supports wireless smartphone mirroring, all of which are connected to an eight-speaker JBL stereo system.
Furthermore, there’s additional technology, such as a subscription to Toyota’s new suite of online services and a roof-mounted SOS switch that can be used to request assistance in an emergency.
The newest Corolla might appear quite familiar, retaining the same exterior design and 18-inch alloy wheels that have graced Australian roads for the past five years.
However, when you look into the hybrid models and look closer beyond the subtly updated interior, you’ll discover some significant changes.
One impressive improvement is the new lithium-ion battery, which enhances performance in the 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine.
Power is up from 90kW to 103kW, and fuel consumption has decreased from 4.2 to 4.0L/100km, solidifying its position as one of the class's most fuel-efficient choices.
The starting price for the Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid model range is now $43,000 drive-away. Image source: Toyota
The Corolla stands out in terms of driving experience, offering precise steering, excellent tire grip, and well-balanced suspension that brings a rare level of athleticism to this vehicle. It’s genuinely one of the best cars to drive in its class.
The steering is particularly enjoyable, making it a more engaging choice than previous iterations of the Corolla. The hybrid engine delivers surprising responsiveness, and the e-CVT transmission effectively maintains performance.
Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology extends to a consistent response from the brake pedal, whether the car uses traditional brake discs or the electric motor for slowing down.
However, using low-profile tires can occasionally result in a firmer ride, and there’s noticeable tire noise from the sporty rubber.
Practicality is not a strong suit in the current Corolla lineup.
Toyota offered current-generation Corolla customers a choice between a sportier hatchback and a more conservative sedan.
The sedan features a softer suspension, a spacious trunk, and a longer wheelbase that provides extra legroom for rear-seat passengers.
On the other hand, the hatchback, while delivering a dynamic driving experience and attractive aesthetics, comes with a small trunk and somewhat limited rear seat space.
Experts expect that the next model, expected in showrooms in a few years, will offer improved practicality.
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