Specs & Features: New Toyota Corolla Hatchback

A lot of exciting information has been released as of late when it comes to the 2019 Toyota model lineup, but perhaps none quite as exciting as the 2019 Corolla Hatchback. The Corolla iM introduced a hatchback model to the Corolla as a bit of a test, but the Corolla Hatchback shows Toyota’s dedication to making sure hatchback enthusiasts have options on the lineup for years to come.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is one of the longest-running small cars because of its dependable name and no-nonsense approach to commuting.
This year, the Corolla is due for a new model and the hatchback is the first to arrive in July.

Although it will be outsold by the sedan that’s due later, the hatchback sets the table for a Corolla that doesn’t aim to be a simple appliance.
Introduced in November 1966, the Corolla has been one of the best-selling cars in the world since 1974 and the automaker has succeeded in making the brand a household name in many countries of the world including Nigeria.
Generally acknowledged as the most fuel efficient car, the legendary Corolla is said to have an interior that begs to be admired with an ideal blend of comfort, value and safety.

The Toyota’s Vice President (Marketing), Jack Hollis, was quoted as saying that the Americans and indeed the world’s love affair with the Corolla began in 1968, adding, “The passion is still burning.”
He made the remark five years ago when the Corolla sale hit the 40 million vehicle mark and described its styling as expensive with a premium interior, and terrific driving dynamics.
“It’s built for the way we live today and the places we go. From urban chic to family road trip, at 40 million, we’re just getting started,” he stated.

In Nigeria, Toyota Corolla has on many occasions won the coveted Car of the Year award at an annual auto industry event organised by motoring journalists, auto reviewers and other stakeholders.
The Corolla effortlessly generates the power for driving pleasure, delivering subtly smooth and stable performance, according to Toyota Nigeria Limited, adding that its “short-nose proportions highlight the advanced styling. Together with its expansive cabin space, it exudes a distinctive presence.”

Engine
The 2019 Toyota Corolla will be available in six different trims: L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, and XSE. The L, LE, and XLE models can achieve an EPA-estimated 28 city, 36 highway, and 32 combined miles per gallon. The SE and XSE models can get up to an EPA-estimated 28 city, 35 highway, and 31 combined miles per gallon. Finally, the LE Eco model can get an impressive EPA-estimated 30 city, 40 highway, and 34 combined miles per gallon. All those numbers are achieved with an automatic continuously variable transmission, but the SE trim also has the option of a six-speed manual transmission, which gets an EPA-estimated 27 city, 35 highway, and 30 combined miles per gallon.

The L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE models are equipped with a spirited 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) which is capable of producing 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The LE Eco model comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine with Valvematic technology that can produce 140 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque.

Interior
In its review of the 2018 edition of the Corolla, an online auto journal, Edmund, says slipping in and out of the vehicle’s cabin is easy, and once you are in, there is ample room to stretch out. “All cabin controls are straightforward, and the touchscreen is responsive, if not a bit oversensitive,” it notes.
Providing some other interior details of the car, the Car Connection says inside a nearly vertical dashboard presents all controls in a logical, easy to sort through manner.
“The Corolla’s interior is nicely done with interesting use of blue lighting, attractive seat fabrics on most models and pleasant contrasting stitching running across the dashboard’s edges,” it states.

Entertainment
We’ve already touched briefly on the safety features present in the Corolla Hatchback, but we haven’t yet detailed the incredible audio system found within the sedan. Consisting of Entune 3.0 Audio technologies and shown on an 8” display screen, the audio system delivers incredible sound through an 8-speaker, 800-watt JBL system featuring Clari-Fi. This sound system will have you and your passengers feel like you’re at a concert rather than cruising down the highway.

Exterior
According to Car and Driver, the Corolla’s front end has been restyled with a new grille and LED headlamps.
It also says the LE Eco trim level and below feature bi-LED lights, while the SE, XLE, and XSE use multi-LED projectors with LED accent lights
The SE and XSE are said to wear a unique front end with a glossy-black mesh grille that is meant to look sporty.
“We can appreciate the design team’s attempt to spice up the Corolla with interesting body lines and large fake brake-cooling ducts on the sportier trims,” it notes.

Performance
Toyota Nigeria says people should expect excitement to grow with every drive in Corolla due to its agile, sporty and responsive performance as well as superb fuel efficiency.
It also says the vehicle’s lightweight engine harnesses advanced technologies to deliver exhilarating performance and outstanding fuel economy.
“The MacPherson strut suspension on the front and torsion beam suspension on the rear are newly adopted, helping to realise both excellent driving stability and ride comfort at a high level,” says the TNL.

Safety
With an abundance of standard active safety assists and top marks in crash tests, the Corolla has been described as a safety superstar
Its airbags help reduce the impact to occupants in a collision. Specifically, the vehicle has been equipped with the SRS driver airbag, the SRS front passenger airbag; the SRS driver knee airbag, the SRS side airbags and the SRS curtain shield airbags.
The WIL Concept Seat used in the front seats helps to reduce injury to the vertebra in the neck in a rear-end collision.
When sensors detect a strong impact in a frontal collision, pretensioners rewind the seat belts instantly to help assist occupant restraint. In addition, force limiters help to relieve the force on the upper torso.

The new and improved Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 will be standard across all 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback models and offer a variety of must-have safety features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, which will now offer Cyclist Detection and improve low-light capabilities. It will also feature Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, which will now feature Road Edge detection. The 2018 Corolla fared well in IIHS crash testing (scoring the highest rating of Good in all crash tests) and received the highest five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

July 25, 2018