Test Drive Toyota Corolla - in the best Japanese traditions

The most popular Japanese compact car recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The 2021 Toyota Corolla represents the 12th generation (not counting restylings). Thanks to the once-developed concept: “each new generation of the model must meet the current needs of the client,” the car has always remained at the peak of popularity. Competitors were only trying to get closer to the sales level of the bestseller - Corolla twice entered the pages of the Guinness Book of Records.

The Russian market has favorably accepted this model, each new generation causes a surge in sales, and on the secondary market the value does not decrease much with the age of the car.

You'll like it

87%
car owners will buy this car again!

• 80% Road tests
• 93% Reliability
• 87% Driver satisfaction

The 2021 Toyota Corolla sedan is perfect for the role of a first car. Meanwhile, even experienced drivers will notice the excellent price-quality ratio of the Toyota Corolla. From its balanced price to its good fuel economy to its impressive list of standard features, Corolla knows how to satisfy buyers.

Toyota Corolla 2021: configurations and prices, photos in the new body, owner reviews

How much does the new 2021 Toyota Corolla cost in Russia: the price of the sedan on the official dealer website varies from 1,411,000 to 1,921,000 rubles . In our market, the model is sold in five trim levels: Standard, Classic, Comfort, Prestige and Prestige Safety.

The engine line of the Russian Toyota Corolla E210 is represented by a single 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine, which can be chosen either paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT.

Options and prices of Toyota Corolla 2021

Loan for this car
Calculate

MT6 - 6-speed manual, CVT - variator

• Toyota catalog
• Owner reviews
• Where can I buy

• The basic version of the Standart has halogen optics, four airbags, power accessories, regular air conditioning, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, audio equipment with four speakers, a light sensor and 15-inch stamped wheels with hubcaps.
• Classic package is complemented by standard music, a 4.2″ color display on the on-board computer, a heated leather-wrapped multi-steering wheel and windshield wiper rest area, as well as 16-inch wheels.
• Comfort option includes six air bags, a multimedia system with an 8.0-inch touch screen, a rear view camera, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, a rain sensor and a standard alarm system.
• Prestige version sports parking sensors front and rear, 17″ wheels, combined seat trim, heated rear sofa, LED headlights, an engine start button and keyless entry to the cabin.
• Safety package for the top-end trim includes automatic high-beam switching, auto-braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, dynamic radar cruise control and a lane-keeping function coupled with lane-keeping assist.

Pros and cons of Toyota Corolla E210

+ Pros

• Controllability
• Comfort
• Economical
• Trunk
• Light

- Minuses

• Noise insulation
• Ergonomics

Reviews from owners of Toyota Corolla 2020-2021

We drove the car 9,000 km in 1.5 months. You don’t get tired on a long trip, the seats are comfortable, the light is just super, consumption at a speed of 100-120 km/h in eco mode is 6.5 - 6.8 depending on the fuel, in the city 7.5 - 8.5 depending on the density movements.

The trunk is roomy and can accommodate everything a family needs on a long trip or vacation. Among the disadvantages in comfort: inconvenient compartments in the doors for placing anything (very small, low and narrow), inability to conveniently place a second smartphone in front, the side front windows are very hot in the summer sun (covered with thermal film), small glove compartment, short armrest .

For information, the first maintenance cost 11,753 rubles (oil and filter change, cabin paper filter replacement, and scheduled inspection in accordance with the regulations, the air filter was not changed) I was satisfied with the maintenance and service at Toyota.

Review of the new Toyota Corolla 1.6 (122 hp) CVT 2019

The first impression after the previous Corolla is that this generation has become more pleasing to the eye and feels closer in the cabin. I immediately found a comfortable position behind the wheel. The seats have good lateral support, you can even feel it with your shoulders.

The trunk is good, but there is not a single hook or net. The cabin has become quieter, the engine can be heard after 3,000 rpm. The noise from ventilation is sometimes louder than external noise. True, so far I ride up to 90-100 km/h and perhaps this is also due to the Michelin winter studless tires.

Now you take turns more confidently - the rear end no longer “breaks” when you go too far with the gas. In general, it goes very smoothly along the highway and the Corolla seems to have become “lighter” in weight. He's too willing to drive. Traction control and a button to turn it off have appeared. There is still a light sensor. The headlights themselves are halogen.

Read also:  Toyota Corolla tires and wheels: parameters, markings, wheel bolt pattern

Review of Toyota Corolla 1.6 2021

There is no point in writing about the engine and gearbox: they have already been tested by time and there is no point in doubting their reliability - I drove 140,000 km on the previous Corolla, there were no problems at all, not an ounce of oil consumption and the variator is like new. Consumption has become higher than in the previous generation: on the highway 6.0 - 6.5 in the city 8 - 9, on the previous generation on the highway the consumption was 5-6, I think this is due to the size of the wheels.

In my configuration there are diode optics all around - the light is amazing, the fogs, by the way, are also diode. The interior of the new Corolla is made with high quality, with soft plastic with stitching on the panels and doors. Being inside, it is noticeable that the Japanese tried hard and did not skimp on materials.

Dmitry, review of the new Toyota Corolla 1.6 CVT 2020

The appearance did not delight, but did not disappoint. The beautiful gray-blue metallic adds attractiveness, but the visually reduced ground clearance is disappointing.

In general, everything is pleasant, high quality, modern. The seats are comfortable - for me this is a very important indicator when choosing a car. The pillow seems short, but I didn’t feel any discomfort. There is enough room for seat adjustments, but the steering wheel reach adjustment could be increased. The seats in the back will force the backs of passengers to take an almost vertical position, and the space above their heads will be “back to back.” In general, the gallery has not become any more spacious.

Review of Toyota Corolla E210 1.6 CVT 2019

Specifications

The new 2021 Toyota Corolla body of the twelfth generation is built on the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) modular platform. Compared to its predecessor, the model has a lower center of gravity and a completely independent suspension: the usual MacPherson struts are used at the front, and a multi-link is used at the rear.

According to the automaker, the car also received new shock absorbers and springs, which made it possible to minimize body sway and achieve higher driving characteristics. The Toyota Corolla E210 sedan has the following overall dimensions, mm

• Length - 4 630
• Width - 1,780
• Height - 1,435
• Wheelbase - 2,700
• Ground clearance (clearance) - 150

According to the technical data sheet, the trunk volume of the four-wheeler is 470 liters. The sedan is equipped with a 50-liter fuel tank, and its curb weight varies from 1,370 to 1,440 kg (the exact value depends on the selected configuration).

For the Russian version of the 2021 Toyota Corolla, a single 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 122 hp is offered. (153 Nm), which can work either with a six-speed iMT manual with automatic speed matching when shifting down, or with a new type of Dynamic-Shift CVT. The latter combines the operating principle of both a conventional variator and a robot.

This transmission is capable of simulating ten fixed gears, and also has a sport mode and paddle shifters. A sedan with a manual transmission can accelerate from zero to hundreds in 11.0 seconds, and its top speed reaches 190 km/h. The version with CVT accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.8 seconds, but its maximum speed is slightly lower - 185 kilometers per hour.

It would be foolish to expect the dynamics of a sports car from a golf-class sedan, but the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine of the Corolla, although not particularly powerful, is responsive to the actions of the accelerator. In the city, the acceleration occurs quite briskly, but on the highway the power reserve under the gas pedal is no longer felt, so overtaking has to be carefully calculated.

The lack of dynamics is especially felt in the version with a variator, which, even when working at a calm pace, simulates shifting gears carelessly, and when it comes to acceleration, even more questions arise for it.

► Subscribe to our channel on Telegram

At the same time, the Toyota Corolla E210 demonstrates quite noble handling. The car not only listens well to the steering wheel, but also has a knocked down suspension, which silently and elastically works out almost all the imperfections of the road surface, delighting passengers with an excellent smooth ride.

The range of adjustments for the steering wheel and front seats on the new Toyota Corolla is sufficient, but nothing more. However, the model’s seats have a good profile and are comfortable in themselves, so only individual drivers will have to tinker with adjusting the seating position specifically for themselves.

In advertising brochures, the Japanese note improved sound insulation of the car, but when driving, not only the rumble of the engine is clearly audible, but also the rustling of the tires. Moreover, as soon as the speedometer needle exceeds 100 km/h, aerodynamic noise is added to these sounds, which makes it difficult to talk to each other without raising your voice.

But the visibility of the model has definitely improved with the change of generation: the A-pillars have become noticeably narrower, and the side mirrors have “moved” to the doors, freeing up the corners of the windows.

Interesting Facts

The new twelfth generation Toyota Corolla E210 sedan was presented in November two thousand and eighteen simultaneously at an auto show in Guangzhou, China and at a special event in Carmel, California. The start of sales of the model on the Russian market occurred in the first quarter of the nineteenth year.

Previously, the hatchback based on the Toyota Corolla was sold under the name Auris, but now the five-door in all markets has also been renamed “Corolla”. At the same time, the hatch has an original front design, and the version of the model for the North American market is somewhat different in appearance from European cars.

If we offer a non-alternative 1.6-liter engine for the car, then for the Old World we offer a hybrid modification with a 1.8-liter engine and an electric motor with a total output of 122 hp. At the same time, neither the hatchback nor the hybrid are now supplied to Russia.

Photos of the new 2021 Toyota Corolla

Video test drive of a car

show more

New in 2021

The current year has not seen any significant changes for the Corolla. The "50th Anniversary" version has been discontinued.

How we tested the 2018 Toyota Corolla

Salon

The 2021 2018 Toyota Corolla boasts more refined interior trim. This is especially true for the completely redesigned control panel and center console, which has become noticeably wider and more elegant. The console now has a touch screen with buttons located on the sides.

Unlike the console, the central tunnel, on the contrary, has decreased in width, adding a little extra space to the driver and front passenger. The transmission control lever is slightly shifted forward, but is still quite convenient. The steering wheel has all possible adjustments for reach and tilt. The driver and passenger seats finally received more advanced lateral support, which should add comfort on long trips.

The wheelbase has increased, so there is more space in the back row of seats. Although previously the knees of passengers did not touch the backs of the seats located in front, now there is noticeably more space. As before, there is no disturbing hump of the central tunnel on the floor, and the width of the cabin allows three passengers to be accommodated with maximum comfort.

Unfortunately, the 2021 car does not boast a large luggage compartment volume, which is less than 500 liters, but can be increased by folding the back row of seats. Perhaps this is the only drawback that the New Corolla has.

Driving impressions

Daredevils aside, most people will love the Toyota Corolla. The ride is soft without unnecessary angularity, and the steering offers good feedback. Visibility has become the sedan's strong point, as has the comfort of the front seats. The Corolla can't match the Mazda3 or Honda Civic in terms of performance, but the SE model offers more athletic styling thanks to a sport-tuned suspension and six-speed manual transmission. The base four-cylinder engine offers 99 horsepower. It will not impress with power or ability to withstand loads. Meanwhile, the variator, which squeezes the maximum out of the engine, adds to the positive impressions. There will be a lot of noise when the throttle is wide open, but the 2021 Toyota Corolla's interior is still cozy.

Best Features

No other compact sedan offers the safety features of the Toyota Corolla. The Safety Sense-P package includes pre-alert, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and automatic high beams. The set is standard for all models.

For an entry-level compact car, the 2018 Toyota Corolla offers a very nice interior. The elegant design of the dashboard, the use of soft, pleasant-to-touch materials and high-quality plastic add coziness.

Details about the Toyota Corolla

Interior

The Toyota Corolla's cabin may not offer quite the same charisma, but it is cozy, comfortable and well-designed. The current dashboard design offers round air vents, an easy-to-use climate control interface, an improved infotainment system, slick controls and a multifunction display. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the rear seats are surprisingly spacious. The luggage compartment volume also does not disappoint with the ability to fold down the rear seatbacks.

Video test drive of Totota Corolla 2021

Exterior

The sedan is offered in two exterior designs to reflect the new line-up. L, LE, XLE and LE Eco models receive different front and rear styling compared to the sportier SE and XSE. Although there are some common elements. The base includes LED headlights. The base SE model also gets vertical front fascia vents, LED fog lights and red taillights.

Basic equipment

In addition to the already mentioned security systems of the “Safety Sense-P” set, the base of the Corolla L model includes LED headlights, a rear view camera, air conditioning, cruise control, a steering wheel that can be adjusted for angle and reach, and controls on the steering wheel. There is a USB port and a 6.1-inch touch screen with an Entune multimedia node. The driver's seat with 6 mechanical control modes and the rest of the seats are covered with thick fabric.

Read also

How we tested the 2017 Toyota Corolla

Optional equipment

LE models gain automatic climate control, a multifunction display between the instruments, and better interior trim. XLE and XSE models boast synthetic leather upholstery, an 8-way power driver's seat, premium gauges, push-button ignition and keyless entry. If you want a sports sedan, the SE model can be equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. XLE, XSE and SE models feature a 7.0-inch infotainment screen that can be complemented with navigation.

Test drive Toyota Corolla

In the most basic configuration, the car comes with a 1.3-liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The standard kit will cost 855 thousand rubles, but it makes sense to purchase it only if you are a devoted fan of the Corolla and are going to tune it. A puny 1.3-liter engine with a power of 99 horses weakly pulls an almost one and a half ton car, so our test was carried out on a unit with a 1.8-liter engine with 140 horses, in the maximum configuration. The manufacturer does not disclose the exact fuel consumption for each of the engines, however, there is information that an automatic transmission with CVT significantly optimizes consumption.

According to our calculations, the most voracious 1.8 engine “eats” a little less than 9 liters per hundred in the city and 10 l/100 km when driving in “Sport” mode. As for driving characteristics, the new Corolla left mixed impressions. The most powerful 140 hp. the engine gives noticeable traction already at 4 thousand revolutions and accelerates the car from zero to hundreds in 10 seconds. Owners of less rich trim levels may be slightly disappointed with the traction characteristics - in terms of dynamics, the engine is noticeably inferior to competitors, the car starts slowly and smoothly, but it holds the road well at medium speeds and is ideal for long trips. When overtaking, the updated Corolla does not feel as confident as we would like, but it has its advantages, namely, modernized damping and control systems.

The car maintains stable traction on winding bumps, and in Russia, with advanced equipment, increased ground clearance is provided. When driving on a straight road, the suspension pays off its value in full - holes and gaps on the asphalt are practically not felt at speeds over 50 km. As for the braking system, here the Japanese hold their mark, but you will have to get used to the brakes, as well as to the control panel - the pedal does not move linearly, moves tightly and most of the braking force occurs at the beginning of its stroke, so in order to avoid excessive braking, you need press it smoothly.

According to the overall results, Toyota Corolla has shown itself to be an advanced C-class model, which can confidently displace more expensive rivals on the pedestal. Of course, like any budget car, it has minor drawbacks, and maximum driving comfort is achieved only when purchasing a Corolla in the Prestige package. This car is best suited for a small family that rarely travels beyond good road surfaces.