JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Back in 2019 Toyota SA launched a fresh Corolla Hatch into the market while ululating about its good looks and ”unrivalled” refinement.
Scroll forward to March 2020 and the automaker added ‘Safety Sense’ tech to the flagship Xr; move on to October 2020 and further enhancements have surfaced.
Toyota says the ”street appeal” of the Corolla Hatch Xr has,in Toyota’s words, ”leveled up” with 18” alloy wheel rims wrapped in 225/40/R18 tyres. Aligned to the wheels’ update is a space-saver spare wheel while Xs models retain their 16” alloys inside 205/55/R16 rubber.
The spare matches those at each corner.
All models will have a new infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which lets users used their cellphone for seamless connectivity while ”enhancing telephony and messaging interfaces on-the-fly”.
Satnav applications such as Google Maps and Waze are included and occupants can also access their music libraries and streaming accounts via apps such as Apple Music, JOOX, Spotify and SoundCloud.
Wireless telephony is supported via Bluetooth with a USB input for additional media options.
TWO-TONE PAINT
But back to the Xr model and its Toyota Safety Sense system which includes blind-spot monitors, cross-traffic alerts and warnings of passing vehicles or obstacles while parking.
The Corolla Hatch is now available in monotone or two-tone paint configurations. Grey and blue have been added to the monotone list while an iridescent Fierce Red replaces the previous scarlet metallic.
Two-tone finishes will also add a black roof.
Standard spec for the Xs grade is, Toyota says, ”generous, with comfort and convenience features such as diode lights dual-zone aircon, keyless entry, cruise control, power-operated and heatable exterior mirrors, colour information display, reversing camera, one-touch power window lifts and auto door locks.
READ MORE Toyota features on Carman’s Corner
Now added are sport front seats with leather/Alcantara upholstery, power-adjustable driver lumbar support, and seat heating for driver and passenger.
An electronic parking brake with hill-start assistance has joined driver, passenger, side, curtain and driver’s-knee crash mitigation bags. Stability Control is now standard.
Each variant has a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine capable of 85kW/185Nm and, Toyota says, 6.3l/100km (manual), and 6.4 for units with a constantly variable transmission.
A six-speed manual transmission or ‘10-speed’ Shiftmatic CVT drive the front wheels.
…..AND SO TO THE PRICES
Toyota Corolla 1.2T Xs – R369,100
Toyota Corolla 1.2T Xs Bi-Tone – R379,800
Toyota Corolla 1.2T Xs CVT – R380,600
Toyota Corolla 1.2T Xs CVT Bi-Tone – R391,300
Toyota Corolla 1.2T XR CVT – R425,200
Toyota Corolla 1.2T XR CVT Bi-Tone – R435,900
Warranty & Maintenance
All Corolla Hatch models are sold with a six-services or 90 000km* service plan (15 000km or 12-month service intervals). A three-year or 100 000km* warranty is also provided. Customers can buy an additional service plans/warranties.
*Whichever comes first.
Carman's Corner 