Or the new Run X, or a new Conquest even - in that it is a bootless iteration of the incredibly popular Corolla sedan. The formula hasn't changes, just the badge in South Africa once again, but I reckon they’ll hang onto this one for the future.
The other difference is that this one is now quite exciting to look at too. I'd argue that the last Run X, and even then, only in RSI format, was the last exciting iteration of a Toyota C Segment hatchback, and that's sad because Toyota wasn't present for the glory days of the hot hatch. Unless you count the Auris TRD but you shouldn't. You really shouldn't.
A history lesson
The Corolla is 53 years old in Mzansi, and this its 12th generation. It is lower and sportier than all it replaces - the halo Toyota hatch above the Yaris and Aygo. Naturally it will be pitted against rivals such as the Ford Focus, VW Golf and Mazda 3 and I'm here to report that this time it has styling and handling on its side.
It's built upon the good house TNGA platform, looks and feels more European than ever both inside and out and there are some nice touches to the exterior that offer up clues as to the dynamics beneath. I like the 'floating' diffuser, especially at the front but ditto at the rear where the apron tapers down to meet the tyres.
Well-appointed? Check. Large touchscreen? Check.
The cabin, dark and well-appointed is dominated by a large touchscreen interface shod with all the connectivity options you could hope for. You get soft touch surfaces, silver accents and bezels around accents and copious stitching for a great tactile experience. Speaking of which, the driver is blessed with a meaty helm, button laden and perfectly symmetrical - just shouting Japanese ergonomics. Multimedia can be consumed via a 6-speaker audio system incorporating woofer (at the front) and tweeters. Spec levels are generally high with hill start, electric brake assist just to name a few, plus LED lamps as standard across all the grades, that's XS to XR.
But how does it go?
I settled into the sporty looking (but comfortable feeling) drivers pew and immediately pressed the Eco/Sport driving modes. They're not worlds apart these modes if I'm honest, but since I dither between these moods myself, it was good to see.
In the footwell there were just two pedals - cogs are swapped via a 6 speed (intelligent manual) or Sport CVT (programmed with 10 steps) transmission and I'd selected the latter. This is mated to the CHR's 1.2 turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine, good for 85kw and 185Nm. Not a lot mind you, but enough.
Underneath me lives an independent suspension, struts upfront and trailing double wishbones at the rear. As a result, my test car felt firm but not crashy, the body being highly rigid meant the side roads we found on the launch, I found quite bumpy. On smoother asphalt I could appreciate the most dynamic handling C Segment Toyota hatchback in decades.
That's a wrap
That's the new Corolla hatch then, available in six shades, with Caribbean Blue being my personal favourite. There are talks of a GR suspension option but no fully tuned performance iteration ala GRMN yet, but we live in hope.
Toyota Corolla Hatch Spec:
| Engine | 1.2l inline 4-cyl, turbocharged |
| Power | 85kW |
| Torque | 185Nm |
Pricing:
| Corolla Hatch XS | R336,800.00 |
| Corolla Hatch XS CVT | R347,400.00 |
| Corolla Hatch XR | R367,100.00 |
