Search

22 Oct 2025

MOTORING REVIEW: Corolla hatchback proves its worth to Limerick drivers

MOTORING REVIEW: Corolla hatchback proves its worth to Limerick drivers

The entry price for the new Toyota Corolla hatchback is €32,685

TOYOTA'S Corolla has been one of the top selling cars in Ireland for many years and one of my favourite test drives.

The model is offered as a hatchback, saloon or a Touring Sports estate. Each has its own particular appeal to customers and all have undergone some minor mid-life changes for the 2023 year model.

The family hatchback was my latest review car from the Japanese carmaker. A very stylish compact sized motor with immediate appeal. Its sporty good looks have been enhanced with some minor changes for 2023 including new headlights, a new front bumper and grille, a choice of alloy wheels, a new rear bumper and some new exterior colours.

My car looked very attractive in a Pure White bi-tone exterior with a black roof but there are eight other options to choose from.

The cabin is a calm and peaceful place to be, beautifully styled with quality trims and materials and comfy seating. Different shades of grey were prevalent throughout and seats that combined fabric with synthetic leather, looked really well. Front ones have manual height adjustments and can be heated; the driver’s has lumbar support.

My tall front passenger found legroom there a bit curtailing due to the shape of the dash while the back will fit three adults at a squeeze but legroom there is tight also for anyone seated behind a tall person in front with their seat moved back.

Cubbies include a pair of cupholders up front, a glovebox and decent door bins. There’s a built-in cupholder in each rear door.

Boot space is adequate for everyday use at 361 litres and average for the sector. Folding down the rear seats allows this expand to 1,052 litres but means only two can travel at the time. Rear seats split 60/40. Those who require more space in their car should opt for the estate version which would suit a family better as it has a longer wheelbase, more legroom and boot space of 596 litres up to the tonneau cover.

Changes include a new 12.3-inch information display panel and a 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits high on the dash where it is easy to see at a glance. You can connect a compatible iPhone to enable wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to show your favourite apps on the screen and Toyota’s suite of Connected Services such as Wi-Fi Connect and Safety Connect are available. It can get over-the-air updates now for the first time. Cloud Navigation is standard.

There are physical switches below the central console screen for air con, ventilation controls. There was just the one small Type C USB port and a 12V power socket.

The electric parking brake has Brake Hold function. Unusually in a press car, there were no parking sensors either front or rear but there was a very good reversing camera. You have to go to the top GR trim to get sensors.

The entry level spec includes both screens, 16-inch alloy wheels and a tyre repair kit, front fogs, seven airbags, MyT Connected services, smart voice assist, Toyota Safety Sense 3 with pre-collision system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist and motorbike detection, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control.

Luna Sport adds rear privacy glass, 17-inch black machined-face alloy wheels, full bi-tone exterior look while the GR Sport adds front sport seats, push-button start, GR Sport door scuff plates, 18-inch black machined-face alloy wheels (10-spoke), keyless entry, and wireless phone charger.

Drivers have the option to drive using either electric energy or a combination of petrol and electric power. In normal driving the petrol engine is predominantly used; the electric motor charges the hybrid battery as necessary, while the wheels operate the electric motor as a power generator to charge the battery. This is a self-charging car, so there’s no need to plug in.

Driving modes are Sport, Eco, and Normal. A full electric mode for slow urban driving helps with energy regeneration.

Corolla now comes with a 1.8 engine which the company refers to as the fifth generation hybrid, in place of the previous 2.0 hybrid unit. Toyota claims it is quieter and more responsive with low emissions and better fuel economy. The engine is matched to a smooth CVT automatic gearbox and maximum horsepower has been increased by 18hp to 140hp.

While the official combined fuel return figure is 4.7 L/100kms (60mpg), I achieved an average of 5.4 L/100kms (52.mpg). Annual road tax is €180.

The car performs every bit as well as it looks offering a lovely, quiet and refined drive with plenty of power for everyday use, and then some! I enjoyed every minute behind the wheel over all types of roads. As the hatchback has a smaller wheelbase than the saloon or estate, it is easier to drive especially on twisty country roads. Narrow A-Pillars greatly aided visibility.

Corolla has a maximum five-star safety rating from EuroNCAP.

Corolla carries a manufacturer warranty of 3yrs/100,000km. The hybrid warranty for 5yrs/100,000km covers all hybrid components including the hybrid battery and up to 15yrs/unlimited mileage hybrid battery warranty once serviced with a Toyota Dealer.

The entry price is from €32,685; my Luna Sport from €36,880.

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!


Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.


Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.