A Corolla by any other name...We drive Toyota's sassy new Hatch!

by Ané Theron

If you're going to rebadge the Toyota Auris, what better name to choose than that of the world's best-selling vehicle of all time? We're talking about the new Corolla Hatch, of course. And if you think the new Corolla Hatch is anything like the old Auris, you're wrong...

Not that the Auris was too disappointing in any way; it just didn't get one's heart rate up. But thanks to Toyota boss Akio Toyoda's promise to the world a few years ago, ("No more boring cars!") the company is reinventing itself as a fashionable and trendy car brand, but with all the traditional Toyota values that keep people buying their cars.

Eye-catching design

The new Corolla Hatch is probably one of the best-looking Toyotas we've seen in the past couple of years, and, much like the edgy C-HR, it has a sleek exterior design that conveys an aggressive sportiness. 

On the inside, the design theme was 'sensual minimalism'. While not quite as clean and uncluttered as the C-HR, the artfully sculpted interior promotes a sense of driver-involvement, while enhancing forward visibility and space around the front occupants. The quality of materials used gives the entire cabin a very premium feel, premium enough to rival the top-spec VW Polos and even the Golf, which is the benchmark in this segment.

A large 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Bluetooth/radio/media streaming/rearview camera display) is standard across the board, and while Apple CarPlay / Android Auto is not an option, the system is MirrorLink compatible; you just need to download the MirrorLink app on your phone to use your preferred Sat-nav or music apps on your phone via the system.

The flagship Xr model boasts sporty bucket seats covered in an Alcantara/leather combination that feels luxurious against the back of your upper things. They're nicely bolstered to support your body as you take those fast corners. But the downside is that they eat into rear passenger space, yet legroom is decent. 

While the boot isn't nearly as big as the Polo or the Golf's, it's still offers a sensible 217 litres for about four overnight bags or small suitcases. All rear seats can be folded using a remote lever to create a completely flat surface if you need to transport goods.

There are three models in line-up:

• The Corolla Hatch 1.2T Xs 6MT – R 336 800
• The Corolla Hatch 1.2T Xs CVT – R 347 400
• The Corolla Hatch 1.2T Xr CVT – R 367 100

Launch route

A quick journey over the Du Toitskloof Pass in the flagship Hatch 1.2T Xr CVT illustrated the new Corolla's on-tar prowess beautifully. There's something to be said for the TNGA platform on which all new Corollas will soon ride. It's much stiffer and lighter, and results in a lower centre of gravity as well. And the new trailing-arm wishbone rear suspension makes for a more comfortable ride, while increasing body control and steering feel. 

And don't think that a 1.2-litre turbo is going to lack fire in the tail, either: the engine delivers 85kW and a constant torque curve of 185 Nm between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (in the manual model) and 10.4 seconds in the CVT. Top speed is 200 km/h and 190 respectively. It really is good fun to drive!

Manual or CVT?

While media members usually scoff at Continuous Variable Transmission gearboxes, Toyota has shown everyone how refined a CVT can be with their sophisticated 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic unit, which also does duty in the C-HR. Instead of sounding strained and noisy, it's eerily quiet, and you would not have known that it was a CVT until you laid eyes on the spec sheet. 

The CVT can be driven in manual mode but you would need to drive quite fast to reach the 10th 'gear' (and by 'fast' we mean in excess of 180 km/h), which we don't condone here at AutoTrader, so rather leave this little experiment for the track. Both cars' combined fuel economy returned a figure of around 7-8.5 litres per 100 km, which is largely dependant on one's driving style, of course.

The entry-level 1.2T Xs model has a slick-shifting, 6-speed manual transmission with short ratios, and will do nicely if you get your kicks by stirring a gearbox around. Not that you'd have to stir it excessively; the free-revving engine is zesty and capable, and as I ascended the pass on the way back, I hardly needed to cog down much. The ride itself is ultra refined, and the cabin is well insulated from road and wind noise. When you're standing next to the Corolla Hatch, you can hardly hear its engine running.

Safety?

The Corolla Hatch has seven airbags and Vehicle Stability Control is standard, along with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-assist Control and ISOFIX child seat anchorage points.

Verdict

The new Toyota Corolla Hatch is going to be flying off showroom floors all over SA. As an offering that now appeals to buyers' hearts instead of just their heads, with a standard spec sheet as long as my left leg, Volkswagen may just have to bid some loyal customers adieu.