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Pros: good value, great reputation for reliability, smooth drivetrain
Cons: boot lid feels insubstantial, more could have been done visually
Toyota Corolla Saloon Design
Although Toyota updated the Corolla line-up earlier this year – and the changes are worth having – it’s not immediately obvious from the outside if you’re looking at a facelifted car. That’s especially the case for the saloon, as it doesn’t get the same LED headlights found in the hatch, but there are new colours and wheels to choose from, and it was hardly an ugly car to begin with. As with many Japanese cars, the exterior design works best if you focus on individual details rather than the whole, and though the rear end of the Corolla saloon is a little forgettable, the front is stylish. It carries a bold colour well and is helped no end by the larger alloy wheels of the Sol specification.
Toyota Corolla Saloon Interior
As before, the saloon trumps its hatchback sibling in terms of rear-seat accommodation and boot space. It’s actually built on a longer wheelbase and the boot holds 471 litres, while the hatch can only manage 361 litres. The dashboard and interior technology were all upgraded as part of this year’s midlife update and there are now great digital instruments and a touchscreen infotainment system to rival the best.
In terms of practicalities, the centre console is a little slim and not overendowed with space, but we guess that’s to allow for more passenger room – and the Corolla’s seats are certainly comfortable. There are plenty of USB ports, a good wireless phone charger and even heated rear seats in our high-spec test car.
Toyota Corolla Saloon Performance & Drive
A glance at the specifications of the updated Corolla would suggest that the hybrid powertrain is unchanged, but that’s not the case as it’s a new system. Though still using a 1.8-litre petrol engine (the 2.0-litre option has been discontinued in the Corolla), the system is more powerful than before, putting out up to 140hp. While most drivers won’t push the accelerator all the way down very often – and that’s clearly not the way to make the most refined progress – the extra performance means that the Corolla is more effortless to drive at higher speeds, resulting in a quieter engine most of the time.
Seemingly, this has not been at the expense of efficiency, as the car is officially more economical than before with a lower CO2 rating. It takes truly little effort to return average consumption in the region of 5.4 litres/100km, for example.
It’s worth mentioning that this generation of Corolla has always been satisfying to drive without resorting to overly firm suspension. The too-light steering won’t appeal to enthusiasts, but it’s a competent car on the road without question.
Toyota Corolla Saloon Pricing
At a starting price of €33,435, the Corolla saloon sits between the hatchback and Touring estate models. A single powertrain is offered, though customers choose from the Luna, Luna Sport or Sol trim levels. We’d suggest that Luna Sport should be considered the starting point unless money is really tight, as it comes with a significant boost in standard equipment. All versions get an impressive suite of active and passive safety systems though.
Carzone Verdict
The Toyota Corolla is nothing short of a sales juggernaut in Ireland and the enhancements to the line-up this year can only help with that. Irish motorists clearly approve of the all-round competence of the Corolla and its economical hybrid system. For those that want a little more space in the back than the hatchback – but not the image of the estate – the saloon is a good option.