The eleventh generation of the Toyota Corolla has gone on sale in Australia today, with a lower pricetag, more equipment and a heavily-revised mechanical package.

The entry-level Corolla Ascent hatch (the sedan will arrive late next year) gets $1000 lopped off its retail price, bringing the price of entry to Corolla ownership to just $19,990.

It's a similar story with the Ascent Sport and Levin ZR, which now retail for $20,990 and $23,990 respectively. The high-grade Levin SR's pricetag remains unchanged at $28,490.

But pricetags aren't all that have changed for the better. Toyota has worked on the Corolla's mechanical refinement and equipment lists to help boost the appeal of its small hatch, which faces stiff competition from 38 different models from 27 manufacturers.

With Toyota aiming to stimulate the appetites of private buyers for the Corolla, the addition of more creature comforts in concert with lower pricing should resonate with many prospective new car buyers.

Many of these, of course, will be also considering the Mazda3 (which currently dominates the small car category in private sales), or the sharp new Hyundai i30.

Mechanical Package

Under the Corolla's sharpened sheetmetal lies a 1.8 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder, which puts out 3kW more power but 2Nm less torque than the outgoing model's 1.8 four. That makes for peak outputs of 103kW and 173Nm.

However, while peak torque is down, it's achieved 400rpm earlier than the old engine, giving the 2013 Corolla's engine a slight edge in driveability.

The biggest news though, is the replacement of the antiquated four-speed automatic with a more efficient CVT.

With this transmission - and thanks to a host of other aerodynamic and mechanical refinements - the CVT-equipped 2013 Corolla is claimed to consume just 6.6 l/100km on the combined cycle.

That's 0.8 l/100km less than the outgoing Corolla automatic. The standard six-speed manual improves on its fuel efficiency figure too, with consumption dropping 0.2 l/100km to 7.1 l/100km.

Levin SX and Levin ZR model grades equipped with the CVT also score steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, which allow the driver to manually shift between seven pre-set ratios.

The 2013 Corolla's platform retains the familiar MacPherson Strut front and torsion-beam axle rear suspension used by the outgoing Corolla, but features improved spring and damper settings to improve ride comfort.

The electric power-steering calibration has also been tuned to provide a more direct, responsive steering feel. The steering rack ratio is now a much quicker 14.8:1, rather than the 16.0:1 ratio of the old car.

One less visible improvement is the new Corolla's slight reduction in weight. In total, it weighs 55kg less than the previous Corolla hatch, yet is also 10 percent more rigid.

Aerodynamic undertrays and a 55mm lower roof height contribute to a slippery coefficient of drag of 0.29.

Features

Starting with the base Corolla Ascent, you get cruise control, trip computer, Bluetooth telephony, audio controls on the steering wheel and 16-inch steel wheels.

Moving up to the Corolla Ascent Sport, standard fit are 16-inch alloys, front foglamps, a reversing camera, a touchscreen display in the audio headunit, chrome exterior accents and privacy glass.

The Corolla Levin SX adds 17-inch alloys, satellite navigation with a touchscreen display, a high-grade instrument panel with dot matrix trip computer display, carbon-look interior trim and more heavily bolstered front seats.

At the top of the range is the Levin ZR, which gets all of the above features, plus bi-xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, auto-folding and heated wing mirrors, dual-zone climate control, leather-upholstered seats, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, keyless entry and ignition, one-touch power windows and chrome exterior trim.

The Levin ZR is also available with a full-length panoramic sunroof, which adds $1500 to the purchase price. All models can be optioned with the S-CVT gearbox for an extra $2000.

Safety equipment for all models comprises seven airbags (front, front-side, full-length curtain and driver's knee), anti-whiplash front headrests, stabiltiy control, traction control, ABS, EBD and brake assist.

CVT-equipped cars gain a hill start assist feature, however this is not available with the manual transmission. A reversing camera is available on the base Ascent as an option, and standard on every other model.

Also standard is the new emergency brake signal feature, which flashes the hazard lights under hard braking to warn drivers behind you.

Pricing

The 2013 Toyota Corolla range is on sale now, with pricing as follows:

• Toyota Corolla Ascent - $19,990
• Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport - $20,990
• Toyota Corolla Levin SX - $23,990
• Toyota Corolla Levin ZR -28,490

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• Corolla | Toyota | Small Cars | Family Cars

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• reply ” like !

  

  mel says,
  7 months ago

  1 like

  Great Pricing, i30 needs to lower its price now
• reply ” like !

  

  cyclone says,
  7 months ago

  2 likes

  I never thought I'd say this about a corolla. It's good (only good) looking
• reply ” like !

  

  BH says,
  7 months ago

  hmmm not bad at all... look forward to the review
• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  7 months ago

  2 likes

  I'm sure this new Corolla would be technically and dynamically superior to it's Korean rivals. The car looks very good and the cabin well sorted.
• reply ” like !

  

  Falafel Eater says,
  7 months ago

  2 likes

  Toyota has thrown down the gauntlet to the Koreans and its Japanese competitors on product and especially on price. This is going cause major headaches to Hyundai, Mazda, Ford, Holden and Honda. As for VW, their product still looks and feels premium, so a cheaper Corolla is not going to hurt them too much.
  
  I also predict the new RAV4 will also be value priced putting Mazda's CX5 and the new Honda CRV under pressure.
  
  Given Toyota's reputation for reliability and low running costs, new value priced product is going to hurt Toyota's competitors.
• reply ” like !

  

  Peter says,
  7 months ago

  2 likes

  Can someone please tell me the one innovative feature that sets this Corolla apart from its competition. Below average class power & torque figures, average fuel economy, dynamically average (article even admits we get less sophisticated suspension), cheap & nasty CVT transmission, no alternative body styles or engines, but oh yes.... its reliable!!
  • reply ” like !

    

    Joe says,
    7 months ago

    1 like

    Reliable my ASS!! Toyota is just like any other manufacturer now, and i think they have been soo behind the pack in the last 8 years.
    
    Hatin Toyota since 09'
    • reply ” like !

      

      Falafel Eater says,
      7 months ago

      2 likes

      Nonsense, I have owned both Euros and Toyota, and Toyota is the business from a reliability and running cost point of view... Daggy, yes.
  • reply ” like !

    

    Falafel Eater says,
    7 months ago

    2 likes

    I don't want cutting edge tech, just reliable and cheap to maintain. I've had two VWs and I have had it up to here with their innovation given how unreliable their product is.
  • reply ” like !

    

    BH says,
    7 months ago

    1 like

    i'll bite. Reversing camera on a $20,999 MLP vehicle is fairly unique. I know it's nothing new, but for me It's now a mandatory must have for my new family.
  • reply ” like !

    

    Nick says,
    7 months ago

    1 like

    "cheap & nasty CVT" - you know this how?
  • reply ” like !

    

    Jack Grimes says,
    7 months ago

    1 like

    Go and Service a VW and then compare!!!
• reply ” like !

  

  jeremy says,
  7 months ago

  Having a well rounded product like this at a good price is good for all of us, as other manufacturers respond.
  
  Would I buy? Dunno, haven't driven one yet...
• reply ” like !

  

  wilks says,
  7 months ago

  The new Corolla looks good. The lower stance and wedge-like shape should make it more appealing to younger buyers than than the current staid image it seems to have. The reputation for reliability will ,no doubt, remain unchanged.
  
  
• reply ” like !

  

  Kieran says,
  7 months ago

  2 likes

  Toyota have launched the car, but can't be bothered updating their website to provide any details.
  Potential buyers have to get the details second-hand from the media.
  That is just plain corporate arrogance and laziness.
  
• reply ” like !

  

  Marcus says,
  7 months ago

  Front end styling looks great, the side is a little Kia Cerato and staid, but not the back which is busy but actually better resolved than an I30 or Focus... but still don't like it at all. The Mazda 3 looks better. Pity they've dumped the Conquest, with standard sunroof, which is what I really wanted. Now it's another $5-7k to option it only on the ZR. The biggest downside is the lack of fuel consumption reduction with carryover power and torque, almost.
  
  Toyota should have updated their website by Friday night with photos and specs.
• reply ” like !

  

  Sam says,
  7 months ago

  I'd still choose the so called unreliable Golf with better engines/gearbox/chassis/performance/economy and quality of construction.
  
  And seeing as the Mk7 will be using the MQB platform, lets just wait and see what VGA will offer on the new Golf as standard.
  
  And TMCA being reliable??? My wife's Camry is four months old and has visited the service department five times.
  • reply ” like !

    

    Sam says,
    7 months ago

    Yeah, I'd choose the bland hard plastic of the Corolla over this...
    
    http://www.vwvortex.com/emAlbum/albums/Volkswagen/Golf%20-%20GTI%20-%20Rabbit/Golf%20VII/Golf%207%20(EU)/volkswagen-golf7-vwvortex-025.jpg
    
    
• reply ” like !

  

  Mark says,
  7 months ago

  Why CVT "Why Why!
  Toyota better learn quick, the car buying public hate the power delivery resembling a outboard motor boat!,
  But on a positive note there is the manual and start price is balls on!
  
  • reply ” like !

    

    barra240t says,
    7 months ago

    to lower fuel consumption, it most likely was a choice between CVT or a dual clutch set up. It personally don't think CVT is all that bad? I'd be buying a manual anyway so I don't really care what auto is used.
• reply ” like !

  

  Aussiebloke says,
  7 months ago

  Why have hill start assist on the auto and not on the manual?
  • reply ” like !

    

    Joe says,
    7 months ago

    Because Toyota likes being tight asses
• reply ” like !

  

  Rob says,
  7 months ago

  2 likes

  Toyota are simply the masters of class, quiet running, affordable, very few problems, easy to resell, well made honest and so reliable - run a fleet of vehicles and Toyota products come into their own. Simple but great products no wonder they are so popular world wide.
• reply ” like !

  

  Andy says,
  5 months ago

  BRING THE WAGON TO AUSTRALIA PLEASE!!!!
• reply ” like !

  

  The bean machine says,
  4 months ago

  1 like

  If these are the correct pricing why we quoted $36,000 for the Levin ZR & $26,000 for the Ascent Sport? Obviously these prices are not correct or the dealership we visited totally tryed to rip us off....