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Driving away with gongs
Toyota takes home prestigious awards to confirm its status as market leader
NATHAN TAYLOR
Toyota’s popular Corolla SX is the best choice for Australians wanting to purchase their first new car, according to experts at leading automotive website, drive.com.au.
And if your motoring needs require a large SUV, then the Drive team recommends buying the popular seven-seat family SUV, Toyota Kluger.
Corolla SX and Kluger won their respective categories in the 2022 Drive Car of the Year Awards. It is the first time Drive has awarded a “best first car” title.
Drive Comparisons Editor, Glenn Butler, spelled out the reasons why the Corolla SX – available as a hatch or sedan with petrol or hybrid powertrains – is the ideal choice for those embarking on new-vehicle ownership.
“The Toyota Corolla SX’s strong safety portfolio and its combination of low running costs, excellent resale value and affordable insurance premium makes it the best choice for first car buyers,” he said.
Managing Editor, Trent Nikolic, said the new-generation Kluger – launched in Australia mid-last year – won its category for being affordable to own and enjoyable to drive.
“In typical Toyota fashion, the newgeneration Kluger takes an already good car and makes it even better,” he said.
“Inside the Kluger’s versatile cabin, there’s space and comfort for the family combined with Toyota’s usual high standards of quality and durability.”
Toyota Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, said Corolla is the world’s and Australia’s best-selling passenger car.
“A large number of first-car buyers, often supported by their parents, are choosing Corolla SX for its high levels of driving enjoyment, advanced technology, safety, refinement and comfort,” he said.
“At the same time, thousands of growing families are putting Kluger first on their new-vehicle shopping lists due to its sculpted design, broad range of safety features, enhanced driving dynamics and – for the first time in Australia – a hybrid powertrain.”
Corolla SX is priced from $28,795 (125kW petrol) and $30,795 (90kW hybrid). Standard features include climate-control air-conditioning, a multimedia system with smartphone integration, satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic alerts and a wireless phone charger.
New Kluger covers a broad range, starting with the GX petrol 2WD from $47,650 through to the Grande AWD hybrid from $75,400. Drivers have the choice of a 218kW/350Nm V6 petrol engine in 2WD or AWD configurations, or the AWD hybrid system with a maximum combined output of 184kW.
A comprehensive equipment list is available on the Toyota website at www.toyota. com.au.
2021 Toyota Kluger Grande Hybrid.
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