Jeremy Clarkson described it as ‘a small crumby Toyota’ while comparing Millionaire Hot Seat on the tele.
The former Top Gear frontman is known for ridiculing certain brands, particularly Vauxhall and Peugeot, but he is out of step on this one as the Corolla is world’s second best selling car behind the electric Tesla Model Y making it the best selling combustion engine car in the world.
Now although I thought Mr Clarkson a bit harsh, the Corolla is not the best family hatchback I have driven but that is not to say it is not a good car; 54 million people around the world say otherwise. That’s impressive numbers.
So what is it about Corolla that makes so many people want it? Here are a few reasons: it is efficient and economical, relatively cheap to run and great to drive.
Two speed humps close to my house provide a good test for a car’s suspension and the Corolla passes with flying colours providing an excellent cushion against the usual jarring. The handling is pretty good as well, lots of twisty roads around my part of the world showing up the good and the not so good. Corolla definitely falls into good and is perfectly planted to take on all that twisty stuff.
Good enough to warrant a sporty version then? You would think so especially knowing what Toyota has done with the super quick Yaris. When the Corolla turned up with the GR Sport badge and mat grey Stealth fighter paint job it looked like the shackles were off, but no, this is no more than a sports themed grade in a four model line up.
The sad part is that over in Toyota’s Derby factory where the Corolla is built, they are churning out a hot 300bhp Corolla but is just for the North American market. Boo hoo!
Okay I am over that, let’s get into the nitty gritty of this Corolla. Compared to the previous bland, dare I say dull model, the latest hatchback design looks good, with eye-catching body creases and trendy head and rear light signatures.
Inside is a different story. Toyota has never been a company to push the boundaries on cabin design and this Corolla does not buck that trend. Functional, yes but understated and all a bit funereal although the quality of the black plastics is good and everything fits well. No rattles or trim creaks here.
An upgraded 10.5in touchscreen sits high centre dash dealing with radio, cloud based navigation, smart phone connections and general car information and is not difficult to navigate. Thankfully physical heating controls sit neatly below the screen although some functions are difficult to read.
At first glance the number of buttons on the steering wheel for the digital driver display look daunting but are surprisingly easy to fathom. There is a fair bit of info to be found but is logical and there is a permanent digital speedo display much to the delight of Mrs Rogers who was not happy with the display in last week’s Suzuki S-Cross.
You will have no trouble finding a comfortable driving position with plenty of adjustments for seat and steering wheel while the GR Sport front seats are well shaped to provide comfort and support.
Things are not so good for rear seat passengers where legroom is sparse and no better than that found in a smaller supermini.
Although the GR Sport is no quicker than the Icon, Design or Excel models the performance from the Corolla’s 1.8 litre engine (you can also have a two-litre) is reasonably feisty with a good response with foot flat to the floor. All a bit raucous as the revs build then it becomes peaceful at cruising speed but that goes with the CVT gearbox territory.
I could not get close to the official 60mpg average ending the week around 54mpg which I thought pretty reasonable given the engine size and performance.
Apart from the poor rear legroom Corolla is an efficient, well equipped and well rounded family hatchback with a long list of driver safety aids. As for its worldwide popularity I think it is outdone by the excellent Honda Civic which gives better economy and has striking design. So, like Mr Clarkson, I am out of step with the rest of the world as well.
Fast Facts
Corolla GR Sport hybrid
£34,745 (starts £30,845)
1.8 litre petrol; 138bhp
0-62mph 9.1secs; 112mph
60.1mpg combined
105g/km. 1st VED £405
Insurance group 17
Boot: 361 litres
