Which is the best variant of Toyota Corolla

Toyota currently offers six variations of its fabled Corolla. Whether its a sedan, hatchback or hybrid, you can find just what youre looking for. We show you which model is our favourite and the best value for money

Lawrence Minnie

18 Jul 2024 · 09:05Buying a Car1 min read

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Best of the best

Few brand marques have lasted as long or have had such global appeal as Toyota's Corolla. Now in its 12th generation, the Corolla still embodies its main ethos of style, performance, capability and most important of all, fuel economy.

There have been many variations of the Corolla over the past few decades but the current one has taken the core values and run with them. The Corolla of today wears trendy styling, offers decent performance, is highly capable as a family car and with its new hybrid drive train option, now the best fuel economy you can imagine.

Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR (2024) Long-term Test Review Introduction

	Toyota Corolla hatch 1.8 Hybrid XS	Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS	Toyota Corolla 2.0 XR	Toyota Corolla hatch 2.0 XR	Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR	Toyota Corolla hatch 1.8 Hybrid XR
Power Figures	103kW / 142Nm	103kW / 142Nm	126kW / 203Nm	126kW / 203Nm	103kW / 142Nm	1.3kW/142Nm
Drive train	Parallel hybrid CVT	Parallel hybrid CVT	CVT	CVT	Parallel hybrid CVT	Parallel hybrid CVT
Fuel Economy	4.0l/100km	4.0l/100km	5.9l/100km	5.9l/100km	4.0l/100km	4.0l/100km
Interior materials	Cloth	Cloth	Leather	Leather	Leather	Leather
Airbags	7	7	7	7	7	7
Infotainment	7" Touchscreen ACP, AA	7" Touchscreen ACP, AA	7" Touchscreen ACP, AA	7" Touchscreen ACP, AA	7" Touchscreen ACP, AA	7" Touchscreen ACP, AA
ADAS*	LDW, CA	LDW, CA	LDW, CA	LDW, CA	LDW, CA	LDW, CA
Price	R 536 500	R 549 300	R 559 500	R 566 800	R 570 200	R 577 600

* Land Departure Warning, Collision Alert

Toyota Corolla Sedan trims head to head: here’s our winner

Verdict

Having driven the different variants available, teh entire AutoTrader team has voted the 1.8 Hybrid XR sedan as the best derivative you can have. It has excellent fuel economy, plenty of luggage space and a timeless design.

Own or Uber? Is owning a Toyota Corolla hybrid cheaper than e-hailing?

Written by Lawrence Minnie

Lawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.Read more