1 minute read
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports - perfect choice?
Road Test
byMarkSlack
FOR many people, especially of a certain age, mention estate cars and Volvo comes to mind, estates that were favoured by antique dealers everywhere. Look for a large estate now and to be honest you’ll struggle. We’ve moved to ‘lifestyle’ estates which are colloquially known as Tourers, smaller load capacity but arguably more stylish and better handling than the estate barges of old.
One of the sleekest and most affordable estates, sorry tourers, is Toyota’s Corolla Touring Sports. Carrying their very wellproven hybrid technology, still a much more allround and useable proposition than an EV, the Corolla may not be the most exciting means of transport, but as a package it pretty much does everything you could want of a car. Lots of equipment, affordable running costs and very well bolted together. It feels like a car that will still be running and looking good in 20 yearstime.
Prices start from €35,363/£31,560 with four trim levels and two engine options 1.8 or 2.0 litre petrol hybrid.
Facts at a Glance
Standard fare on the entry level model provides everything from front and rear parking sensors and auto lights to smart phone ming rear view mirrors to its standard equipment.
One of the first things quality puts some rivals of similar price in the shade. You still get the bolt on iPad look of so many cars but that apart there’s a pleasing normality with a standard automatic gear shift lever, buttons (hurrah!) and decent functionality to the touch screen.
• Model: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Design
• Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol electric selfcharging hybrid
• Gears: CVT automatic
• Price: €37,123/£33,130
• Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 9.4 seconds/Maximum Speed 180 kph (112 mph).
• Economy: 4.7l/100km (60.1 mpg) Combined driving.
• Emissions: 106 g/km
Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets connectivity and dual zone air conditioning. My test model was the Design trim, second up in the range, which adds keyless entry and start, power tailgate, privacy glass, power fold door mirrors and auto dim
