The top-of-the-range Toyota Corolla hybrid hatch combines the company's leading petrol-electric technology with the highest level of equipment. But is it worth the $40,000 price tag?
2024 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch
The Toyota Corolla needs little introduction: the world's best-selling car (53.4 million to October 2023), and one of Australia's longest-running new car nameplates, arriving here in 1967 following its overseas launch a year earlier.
But surging sales of SUVs and electric cars mean the Toyota Corolla is on the verge of losing its 10-year winning streak as Australia's best-selling passenger car to the battery-powered Tesla Model 3.
And it looks like Toyota will lose the same record in the small car category to its old rival, the Hyundai i30 – amid severe stock shortages for Toyota over the past two years.
The current generation Corolla hatch arrived in Australia in 2018, and in that time has seen the arrival of the new Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, Kia Cerato, Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic, all of which have seen price increases. But Toyota has one advantage that everyone but Honda has failed to match: hybrid power.
The introduction of mid-life styling and technology updates in 2022 suggests that the current Corolla will probably be with us for at least another year or two before a new model arrives. Is it still worth considering in 2024?
How much does a Toyota Corolla cost in Australia?
There are 12 variants in the Toyota Corolla range, with hatchback and sedan body styles, petrol-only or petrol-electric hybrid power, and three equipment levels: Ascent Sport, SX and ZR.
The car on test was the top of the range hatchback, the ZR Hybrid, which is priced at $39,100 plus on-road costs.
The price has risen $1480 since the end of 2023 with no equipment changes, and is well above the 2018 launch price of $31,870, although the current model is better equipped.
The test vehicle was finished in Silver Pearl paint with a black roof – a $1350 option – and a no-cost red and black interior, bringing the price to $40,450 plus on-road costs, or about $44,500 a drive away in New South Wales, according to Toyota Australia's online price estimator.
Rivals include the Volkswagen Golf 110TSI Life ($39,190), Hyundai i30 N Line Premium auto ($37,300), Mazda 3 G25 GT ($38,420), Subaru Impreza 2.0S ($37,990), Kia Cerato GT ($36,390) and Skoda Scala Signature ($42,490 drive-away - Far). All prices above do not include on-road costs unless stated otherwise.
Standard features exclusive to the ZR include 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded bi-LED headlights, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, synthetic leather-look and suede seats, heated front sport seats, eight-way power. -adjustable driver's seat, eight-speaker JBL stereo and ambient cabin lighting.
Features carried over from the cheaper model include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, display behind. cameras, and a full suite of advanced safety technologies.
The Corolla ZR Hybrid hatchback is the only model in the regular lineup to come with a tire repair kit in lieu of a full-size spare wheel or space saver.
Important details of the 2024 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch
Price is $39,100 plus travel costs
The test car color is Pearl Silver with Black roof
Two-tone premium paint option – $1350
Red and black interior – no expense
Price as tested was $40,450 plus on-road costs
Drive away price $44,506 (NSW)
Hyundai i30 rival | Volkswagen Golf | Mazda3
How much space does a Toyota Corolla have inside?
The Corolla doesn't have the flashiest or most high-tech interior in the small car class, but with buttons and dials for the main audio and air conditioning functions – and a clean layout – it's simple and easy to use.
Drivers looking for a sporty feel can sit low in the car, with eight-way power adjustment on the driver's seat, and tilt and reach adjustments on the faux leather steering wheel making it easy to find a comfortable position.
The sport seats in this ZR grade are a highlight, offering good comfort and excellent support for a simple hybrid hatchback – not a high-performance car – combining synthetic leather-look trim with suede inserts that add a sporty feel. They offer heating and lumbar support.
If it were our money, we'd tick the box for red accents at no cost; a more restrained all-black option is also available.
All major interior surfaces touched by passengers – the armrests, the tops of the doors, the dashboard and the center console area where your knees rest – are wrapped in synthetic leather, although some of the padding in the armrests could be softer.
Amenities up front include dual-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charging pad, keyless entry and start, an electric parking brake, illuminated rearview mirrors, two USB-C ports and a 12-volt outlet.
While the glove box is large, storage elsewhere is limited, with a small compartment in the center console that can't fit much more than a wallet and sunglasses. The door bins aren't as large as some rivals, and front occupants will find cell phones, glasses, wallets and keys in cup holders or on wireless phone charging pads.
Rear seat space has been a weak point of this generation of the Corolla hatch since its launch in 2018. At 6ft (183cm), I was able to fit in the rear driving position, with adequate head and legroom – but my knees were touching. seat in the front, and it will be a tighter squeeze for taller adults.
Carrying three passengers in the back in a pinch is possible, but it's better suited to two people.
Ease of ingress and egress is hampered by the sloping roofline and small door openings, and the black roof lining exacerbates the cramped feeling at the rear.
Rear seat passengers are treated to rear air vents, cupholders in the doors, a folding center armrest, two map pockets, three child seat top tether points and two ISOFIX anchors. However, there are no USB ports or pockets on the doors for storing wallets, devices, or other items, and the tops of the doors are made of hard plastic and scratch easily.
With a capacity of 333 litres, the ZR Hybrid has the largest boot in the Corolla hatchback range as it swaps the spare wheel – either full-size or space saver – for a tire inflator kit for repairing small punctures at the side of the road.
This means the boot goes from one of the smallest in the small car class to a roomy space beyond its capacity, with enough space for a full-sized suitcase, a carry-on suitcase and a few soft bags.
However, there are no facilities in the cargo area other than shopping bag hooks. Because the trunk is quite deep with the spare wheel removed, the load lip is also quite high, and the rear seats don't fold flush with the trunk floor.
2024 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch
Seat Five
Boot volume 333L seating
Length 4375mm
Width 1790mm
Height 1435mm
Wheelbase 2640mm
Does the Toyota Corolla have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Standard on all Toyota Corolla hatchbacks and sedans in Australia is an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice control and AM, FM and DAB digital radio.
All variants except the Ascent Sport petrol and hybrid hatchback, as well as the Ascent Sport petrol sedan are equipped with embedded satellite navigation.
At eight inches, the screen is small – compared with 10 or 12 inch screens on similarly priced competitors – and the thick black bezel around the screen makes it look cheaper. Toyota offers a 10.5-inch touchscreen in other markets, but not in Australia.
This infotainment software isn't the fastest, sharpest, or most exciting in its class, but it's relatively easy to use and responds fairly quickly. Wireless Apple CarPlay worked well in our tests, although we found that if we wanted to charge the phone via the USB port – but still use wireless CarPlay – we had to leave CarPlay connected before plugging in the phone, as doing it the other way around wouldn't happen. enable CarPlay.
It's worth noting that there's a wireless smartphone charging pad in front of the shifter, which is powerful enough to top up your phone while navigating and streaming music.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is clear and bright, but doesn't offer much customization in terms of layout – although it can display widescreen navigation maps, which many other cars with digital instrument screens can't.
What's rare in this class is the installation of a head-up display that shows vehicle speed, current speed limit and other important information. This is a handy feature that means you no longer have to look down at the instrument cluster.
The eight-speaker JBL sound system is adequate, but doesn't deliver the sound quality or quality we've come to expect from 'premium' branded sound systems.
Rear view camera quality is below average – and grainy at night – with a simple guideline that doesn't move when you turn the wheel.
Is the Toyota Corolla a safe car?
The Toyota Corolla 2.0 liter petrol and 1.8 liter hybrid were awarded five stars by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in 2018 based on crash tests conducted in Australia.
Those scores will expire after December 31, 2024 – unless Toyota submits the Corolla for retesting under its current crash test criteria, which are much stricter than those in 2018 when the vehicle was first assessed.
202 4 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch
ANCAP rating Five stars (tested 2018)
Safety report Link to ANCAP report
What safety technologies does the Toyota Corolla have?
Standard safety technologies include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian/cyclist/motorcycle detection and intersection assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane following assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, speed sign recognition, exit warning, and front and rear parking sensors.
There are also seven airbags, including one for the driver's knees.
Some advanced safety systems are overkill and have been adapted to react to the slightest possibility of a collision – rather than risk intervening too late.
There was one false activation of the AEB system – during a rapid lane change approaching a traffic light, when the car thought we were about to hit a line of cars waiting to turn – and on several occasions the blind spot monitoring system hit the brakes if a car was passing in parallel parking, even though the car was in reverse gear and stopped where it was, not into the line of traffic.
However, the lane keeping assist system is well calibrated and not too intrusive in the city. The lane centering assist technology – marketed as Lane Trace Assist – works naturally, although like most similar systems, it struggles on tight motorway bends.
When stopped at the front of the queue at a traffic light, pedestrians walking in front of the car will trip the front parking sensors. At other times, we found the sensors – and the distance display on the infotainment screen – reacted slowly to increasing distance to the car in front or behind when trying to park in a tight space.
How much does it cost to maintain a Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometer vehicle warranty for private buyers (excluding commercial use), including the hybrid battery.
If buyers follow the service schedule according to the logbook, Toyota will extend the warranty on the gasoline engine, hybrid components and driveline to seven years/unlimited kilometers, and “up to” 10 years/unlimited kilometers for the hybrid battery pack if that is the case. inspected annually by a Toyota dealer.
Servicing costs are among the cheapest in the car industry, at $245 for each of the first five visits, separated by 12 month/15,000km intervals – amounting to $1,225 over five years/75,000km.
Among petrol-powered cars, only the Honda Civic – available in petrol and hybrid – is cheaper, at $199 for each of the first five services at shorter 12-month/10,000km intervals.
Five-year/75,000km servicing is priced at $1,739 for the Hyundai i30 2.0-litre hatchback, $2,031 for the Kia Cerato 2.0-litre wagon, $2,168 for the Mazda 3 G25, and $3,356 for the VW Golf Life (or $2,650 for a prepaid service plan). Meanwhile – due to shorter distance intervals – a five-year or 50,000km service for the Hyundai i30 hatchback 1.6-litre turbo and Kia Cerato costs $1625 and $1922 respectively.
After the first five services, Toyota maintenance becomes more expensive. The next five services at a Toyota dealer (up to 10 years/150,000 km) are said to cost between $380.80 and $700.50, with an annual average of $501.20.
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 (225/40R18) on the Corolla ZR Hybrid is priced from $262 (from Bob Jane T-Marts), at the time of writing in December 2023.
One year's comprehensive insurance cover from a leading provider costs $1604, based on a comparison quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history and personal circumstances.
For context, the same insurance quote calculator lists $1243 for a Hyundai i30 N Line Premium hatchback, $1184 for a VW Golf Life, $1198 for a Mazda 3 G25 Astina – or, for some electric alternatives to the left of the field, $2997 for a BYD Dolphin Premium, $2004 for an MG 4 Excite 64, $2079 for MG 4 Essence 64, or $1986 for GWM Ora Extended Range.
A look at the 2024 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch
Five year guarantee, unlimited km
Service interval 12 months or 15,000km
Service fee $735 (3 years)
$1225 (5 years)
Is the Toyota Corolla fuel efficient?
Toyota claims the Corolla ZR Hybrid will use just 4.0 liters per 100 kilometers of regular 91-octane unleaded petrol in mixed driving – or 3.8L/100km for city vehicles and 4.3L/100km on motorways or rural areas, where hybrid vehicles less efficient. they have fewer opportunities to use electric motors.
Over a week and 700km of testing across city, motorway and country roads, we observed 5.7L/100km on bowser fuel, which – while still very frugal for its class – is still 40 per cent higher than the claim.
However, it's worth noting that, before a spirited country road drive – when we were working the engine hard – the trip computer showed 5.0L/100km, or about 5.3L/100km at the pump. This amount comes from intra-city travel and around 400 km of highway driving.
On a 195km test run on the Hume Highway south of Sydney – which has a speed limit of 110km/h – we observed fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km on the trip computer, equivalent to 5.2L/100km on the fuel bowser.
In city driving – where the hybrid system can capture energy under braking and use the electric motor to propel the car at low speeds – we often see fuel consumption in the 4.0 to 4.5L/100km range, sometimes dropping to the high 3L/100km range. 100km , which is half of what a petrol hatchback would use in similar conditions.
We found the trip computer read fuel consumption about five percent better than in reality.
What is the Toyota Corolla like to drive?
The Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid combines a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and small lithium-ion battery to produce a combined power output of 103kW.
Around town, the hybrid system works well, accelerating from rest – the most energy-intensive part of everyday driving – to speeds of between 25 and 35 km/h on electric power, depending on how gently you press the accelerator pedal. , before the petrol engine kicks in to help.
It feels nimble at low speeds, but above 60km/h or 70km/h it starts to run out of power – even by small hatchback standards, not sports car standards.
Overtaking on country roads may require some planning, and this results in a lot of noise from the petrol engine, as the continuously variable transmission keeps it at the optimal RPM for maximum power output.
Plus, switching between petrol and electric power is almost seamless.
The battery is small – and not intended to cover significant distances using electric power – but it can store enough energy to let the car get through traffic without starting the petrol engine too often. This battery is charged by the petrol engine, or energy captured during braking, so it does not need to be plugged in externally.
The 18-inch alloy wheels and low-profile sport tires on the ZR mean it's not as comfortable over bumps as other Corolla models – you can feel sharp edges and imperfections in the road – but it's by no means too stiff or harsh to ride.
The steering is light but direct and accurate – although the 11.4-metre turning circle is quite large for a car of this size – and the brake pedal is easy to modulate, with a smooth transition from the electric motor's regenerative braking to regular 'friction'. disc brakes.
The sportier suspension setup around town makes for a more engaged feel on bumpy country roads, and it turns out to be a fun car to drive.
It feels agile and sharp when turning corners, it's not bothered by mid-corner bumps, there's not much body roll, and the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires hold up well in fast corners.
The only downside here is a lack of power at speed, which becomes apparent when you're tackling a twisty country road and want to have some fun behind the wheel. But there's a Corolla for enthusiast buyers, the GR 220kW hot hatch – built with the same good bones as this ZR.
The advantage of this sporty Dunlop rubber is that there is a lot of tire roar at highway speeds – especially on rough surfaces – that the sound system can't completely drown out. There is also a wind whistle at high speed.
The bi-LED headlights offer good illumination in both low and high light conditions, although not the best we've seen in a small car or SUV.
Important details of the 2024 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatch
Engine 1.8 liter four-cylinder petrol and electric engine
Combined power 103kW
Torque 142Nm (engine only)
Aggregate figures are not quoted
Drive type Front wheel drive
Continuously variable Automatic Transmission
Power to weight ratio 73.6kW/t
Weight (curb) 1400kg
Spare tire type Tire repair package
Tow rating None
Turning a circle 11.4m
Should I buy a Toyota Corolla?
If you're shopping for a small, stylish, fuel-efficient city car – and don't plan on carrying rear passengers or taking frequent road trips – the Toyota Corolla Hybrid should be at the top of your shopping list.
The ZR Hybrid trim is well equipped, safe, attractive inside and out, easy to drive around town, fun to drive on twisty roads, and most importantly affordable to operate thanks to its economical fuel use and low servicing costs.
However – as touched on above – there are some drawbacks to consider, namely limited interior and boot space compared to its main competitors, a lot of wind noise and a lack of power at motorway speeds, and infotainment technology that still lags behind the best small cars available. for sale. .
The lack of a spare wheel on the ZR Hybrid is a consideration for rural buyers, who might be better served by a model in a different class, but with a smaller boot.
If these weaknesses are not your priority, the Toyota Corolla hybrid is the right choice.
How to buy a Toyota Corolla – next steps?
If the price is fair to you, and you're happy with the compromise of no spare tire, the ZR Hybrid hatch is the most stylish and best-equipped model in the range.
However, if you're willing to compromise on some luxury features, the entry-level Ascent Sport Hybrid – with its $1000 Convenience Pack, which adds parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert technology – is better value for money, as is the mid-range SX Hybrid, which ditches the base model's plastic steering wheel for a leather look, among other additions.
The hybrid commands a price premium of about $3000 over the regular petrol model, as the fuel savings are significant enough to pay back the higher purchase price within a few years of ownership.
As with many Toyota hybrid models in Australia, you may have to wait longer to take delivery of a Corolla hybrid than small car competitors from Mazda, Subaru, Hyundai or Volkswagen.
Waiting times range from three to 12 months, according to buyers who have recently purchased a Corolla hybrid in Australia. The exact wait time will depend on the dealer you purchase from, where you are in the dealer's order queue, and the model class, body style and color you select.
To contact a Toyota dealer for the most accurate delivery time estimate, click here to find the nearest showroom. You can also find Toyota vehicles for sale at Drive.com.au/cars-for-sale.
We also recommend testing the Volkswagen Golf Life, which is Small Car of the Year for the second year running, having beaten the Toyota Corolla hybrid – as well as the Hyundai i30 hatch – to the 2022 awards.
