DABAS blog post; late September 2018: 

The twelfth-generation 2018 Toyota Corolla hatchback MZEA12R (E210) Australian range.

Hello Readers, we hope Melbourne’s school holidays on at present are going well.

Recently the eleventh-generation 2018 Toyota Corolla hatchback featured in a DABAS blog-post – it’s now in run-out sale at your local Toyota dealership – having now been superseded by the recently launched new-look-design twelfth-generation Corolla hatchback. In this blog post let’s have a general-in-nature summarised look at this new twelfth-generation 2018 Corolla (E210, Australia MZEA12R) hatchback range that is now available at a Toyota dealership near you. We hope you find this blog page an interesting read, hopefully providing some useful general information to help you on your car-buying journey.

If you would like DABAS’s assistance buying a car, please click here.

Here we go

To begin with, some trivia for the car enthusiast:

This all-new twelfth-generation Corolla hatchback (e210) sits on a new platform – Toyotas New Global Architecture (TNGA) that underpins its bold, sporty exterior styling and reportedly impressive driving dynamics, including-class-leading safety technology. This new twelfth generation Corolla hatchback’s Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform offers a more rewarding driving experience with its lower centre of gravity, new multi-link rear suspension, 60 per cent more rigid body and improved weight balance

. . . and it looks damn “impressively hot” on the road as well; especially the ZR hatchback variant! 

There are three grades and seven variants with hybrid technology now available at each level – Ascent Sport, SX and ZR; having the hybrid option available on all variants is expected to result in more sales of Corolla hybrid for Toyota.

Many of this new twelfth-generation Corolla’s technologies and features are normally found in much more expensive, prestige models.

A more rewarding drive:

New powertrains significantly boost performance and driveability. A new 2.0-litre four-cylinder Toyota Dynamic Force petrol engine delivers 21 per cent more power (125kW) and 15 per cent more torque (200Nm) than its 1.8-litre predecessor while using less fuel. A new Direct Shift continuously variable transmission offers a ten-speed sequential shift mode and mechanical launch gear – the first in the world for a passenger-car CVT – to promote brisk yet fuel-efficient off-the-line acceleration.

Corolla’s improved hybrid system is lighter and more compact due to advances in engine, electric motor and battery technologies: smaller, lighter and more efficient. The 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine shares a raft of technical features with the new 2.0-litre engine, including world-leading thermal efficiency of 40 per cent and a 13:1 compression ratio. Combined output is 90kW and fuel economy 4.2 litres/100km. A more efficient, lighter and smaller multi-shaft transaxle has been tuned for greater low-down response and driveability. All CVT models feature three driving modes: eco, normal and sport. A new six-speed intelligent manual transmission is available on Ascent Sport, providing rev-matching control for smoother and more responsive gear shifts. Across the range, driving characteristics also benefit from an active cornering assist system that applies brake force to the left-driven or right-driven wheels during high-speed cornering to suppress understeer.

Safety: The all-new Corolla brings unprecedented levels of advanced safety technology to the small car class with the Toyota Safety System. Toyota anticipates a five-star ANCAP safety rating. A pre-collision safety system incorporates pedestrian detection+, including at night, as well as cyclist detection during the day, autonomous emergency braking and emergency brake assist. Active cruise control and lane departure alert with steering assist and sway warning are also standard. On CVT models, active cruise operates at all speeds while the lane departure technology is upgraded to lane trace assist, providing steering assistance to ensure the car stays centred in the lane. Corolla’s windscreen-mounted camera recognises speed-limit signs – a first for a Toyota model in Australia.Other standard safety features include automatic high beam, reversing camera, hill-start assist, seven airbags and two rear ISOFIX child safety seat anchor points. SX and ZR grades also have blind-spot monitor. Styling; This twelfth-generation 2018 Corolla is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor – resulting in a more striking road presence. The front profile is more vertical with a flatter bonnet flanked by bi-LED headlamps and integrated daytime running lights. At the rear, a lightweight composite hatchback sits between LED rear combination lamps. Corolla’s all-new interior design raises quality and refinement whilst delivering Improved comfort. Corolla is also more spacious, thanks to its longer wheelbase and increased body width. A thinner instrument panel contributes to better forward vision and there are new, more comfortable and supportive seats.

A brief look at the grade variants and features of the new-generation 2018 Corolla hatch, summarised:  What do you get included? by the model variant.

The range starts with the 2.0-litre Ascent Sport manual that picks up all the new design, powertrain, safety and technology features. It is also equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, 4.2-inch multi-info display, air-conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and a six-speaker multimedia system with Toyota Link. Fitted with Toyota’s intelligent manual transmission, the price is $22,870 +ORCs.

Note – Satellite navigation is a $1,000 option on Ascent Sport and standard on other models.

Buyers can opt for the new Direct Shift CVT on the Ascent Sport for just $1,500.

Note – Across the new generation Corolla range, the hybrid variants are available for just $1,500 over the equivalent petrol models. Ascent Sport hybrid gains extra equipment over the petrol model with dual-zone climate control and keyless smart entry and start.

The Ascent Sport variant model; summary of features.

Mechanical: 2.0-litre petrol with six-speed manual or CVT transmission, 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain with CVT transmission, Independent suspension, electric power steering, ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes.

Exterior- Auto high beam LED headlights, LED tail lights and daytime running lights, rear fog lamps, heated electric exterior mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels (petrol: full-size alloy spare, hybrid: temporary spare)

Interior- Embossed fabric seats, driver seat height adjustment, 4.2-inch multi-info display (MID), urethane steering wheel with steering wheel controls, 8-inch colour touchscreen display, 60/40-split rear seat back, front door bins with bottle holders, rear door bottle holders, 12v accessory socket.

Safety- Toyota Safety Sense Pre-collision safety system (AEB) with pedestrian (day/night) and cyclist detection (day) all-speed active cruise control (CVT), high-speed active cruise control (MT), lane trace assist with steering assist and lane centring function (CVT), lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist (speed signs) ABS with brake assist, vehicle stability control, active cornering control, 7 airbags, Reversing camera, ISOFIX child restraint anchors Comfort and convenience- Manual air conditioning, front and rear power windows, electronic park brake, dual zone climate control (Hybrid only), smart entry and start (hybrid only). Infotainment / Multimedia- AM/FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, 1 USB / 1 Aux input, voice recognition, Siri “eyes-free”, Toyota link 6-speakers

 Included additionally, when moving up to the SX variant: these two features, dual-zone climate control and keyless smart entry and start are standard with petrol and hybrid variants, having equivalent specification. SX also gains a wireless phone charger, DAB+ digital radio, front fog lamps, paddle shifters (CVT petrol), premium steering wheel and shift lever, privacy glass and a rear USB port. With CVT standard on the SX (petrol and hybrid).

The Corolla SX model variant (“additional features” over the Ascent Sport model)

Mechanical: 2.0-litre petrol with CVT transmission – or – 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain with CVT transmission

Exterior: Front fog lamps, privacy glass, 16-inch alloy wheels with temporary spare.

Interior: Premium steering wheel with steering wheel controls

Safety: Blind spot monitor (BSM)

Comfort and convenience: Dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, smart entry and start.

Infotainment / Multimedia: DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation with SUNA+ live traffic alerts.

 Note – The pricing step-up from Ascent Sport to SX is reported to be $2,500.

Included additionally, when moving to the top of the range model, the ZR is equipped with a large colour head-up display, 18-inch alloys, leather-accented and suede interior with sports front seats, 8-speaker premium JBL sound system, 7-inch colour multi-information display, ambient illumination, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror and high-grade bi-LED headlamps.

The Corolla ZR model variant (“additional features” over SX model variant)

The same mechanicals: 2.0-litre petrol with CVT transmission – or – 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain with CVT transmission

Exterior: 18-inch alloys with temporary spare (Hybrid – repair kit)

Interior:  Sports heated front seats, leather-accented ultrasuede seats, driver seat lumbar support, 7-inch multi info display (MID) with analogue and digital display options, ambient lighting.

Safety: Head-up display

Infotainment / Multimedia: JBL premium audio, 8 speakers

Note – The pricing premium over the SX variant to the ZR variant is reported to be $3,500.

The general recommended retail hatchback pricing– The Corolla Ascent Sport petrol manual is $22,870 plus ORCs whilst the Ascent Sport petrol CVT is $24,370 plus ORCs and the Ascent Sport hybrid is $25,870 plus ORCs, (ORCs = plus on road costs)

The Corolla SX petrol CVT is $26,870 plus ORCs whilst the Corolla SX hybrid CVT is $28,370 plus ORCs

The Corolla ZR petrol CVT is $30,370 plus ORCs whilst the Corolla ZR hybrid CVT is $31,870 plus ORC’s

Options available:

On the Ascent Sport: Satellite navigation and privacy glass $1,000  All grades: Premium paint adds an extra $450; Servicing and warranty schedule– every new twelfth-generation 2018 Corolla hatch is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped price servicing at $175 per service – now with 12-month/15,000km intervals, as at September 2018 the Toyota factory 3-year brand-new car warranty is still being offered on this new twelfth-generation Corolla model.

At DABAS we know that buying a car to suit your needs can be one of the biggest purchases in your life; we hope this intended to be “general-in-nature advice and information” blog page has provided some helpful assistance for you in deciding the path of your car-buying journey.

We look forward to having a chat when the need arises for you to update your car; to assess your personal car-safety requirements and buying needs to suit your lifestyle.  And importantly your set specified budget!

Whatever roads your life journey takes you on, DABAS can help you find a car to travel those roads.

Please note:  All pricing and information mentioned in this blog post is to be considered as a general-in-nature summary; all specifications and pricing mentioned in this blog page may be outdated or superseded by your time of reading this blog page, the current chosen model range’s specifications and pricing will be confirmed together with your chosen vehicle’s sales representative in their showroom at the time you transition to becoming a client of DABAS.

DABAS is aware of some things to consider and to be aware of in this vehicle brands’ segment, including the drive-away-no-more-to-pay deals obtainable – at times – with this model car and some of this vehicle’s segment opposition;

 These will be discussed upon your transition to becoming a client of DABAS.

To contact DABAS to discuss your car-buying needs, please click here

For helpful information (including safety acronyms explained), see our blog archives index

For our Blog post on the now superseded 2018 eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla, please click here.

To see some interesting things to consider when buying a car, please click here

For a step-by-step example of a DABAS car-buying journey, please click here

Thanks for visiting DABAS’s website and blog: Have a great day, Cheers, Tim.