

William Stopford
3 Months Ago
News Editor
The revised Toyota Corolla is in showrooms this month, packing updated tech, a more powerful hybrid, and some cosmetic tweaks.
UPDATE, 06/02/2023 – Toyota Australia has increased the asking price of the Corolla range by $500 amid a wider range price rise.
MORE: Toyota Australia increases price of most models
All models get Toyota’s latest-generation infotainment system, though they retain an 8.0-inch touch display. No mention has been made of the new 10.5-inch display revealed in Japan and Europe.
DAB+ digital radio is standard across the range, and there’s now a USB-C port below the screen.
The Ascent Sport gains a 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen, replacing the old 4.2-inch information display, while the flagship ZR debuts a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Hybrid models get Toyota’s new fifth-generation hybrid powertrain with an extra 13kW of power, for a total output of 103kW.
There’s a new front drive motor and power control unit, while a newly developed lithium-ion battery is said to reduce weight by 14 per cent.
You can now also get a ZR sedan with the hybrid powertrain. Previously, the ZR hybrid was hatch-only.
All Corollas get one year’s complimentary access to Toyota Connected Services.
By downloading the myToyota Connect app on your smartphone, you can remotely lock or unlock your car, start the engine, turn on the hazard lights and sound the horn.
You can also remotely monitor your remaining fuel level and check whether you have left the windows down or the car unlocked. Usefully, the app can also help you locate your car in a busy car park.
There’s also automatic collision notification, which can connect you to an emergency call centre in the event of an accident, and a roof-mounted SOS button that can also get you in contact with emergency services.
The Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety features has been expanded, with the Corolla’s autonomous emergency braking system now featuring motorcycle detection and junction assist.
Emergency steering assist is standard across the range while blind-spot monitoring, previously available only on the SX and ZR, is now standard on Ascent Sport hatchbacks.
A new acceleration suppression feature reacts to sudden use of the accelerator when travelling at low speeds.
Toyota’s Lane Trace Assist lane centring system also features an emergency stop feature, bringing the vehicle to a gradual stop if it detects the driver is no longer providing inputs.
The company has also tweaked its adaptive cruise control system. It now features four distance settings and deceleration assist when changing lanes, and can now also detect vehicles earlier.
Likewise, Toyota says it has improved the performance of its cameras and radar sensors.
Cosmetic tweaks are minor. There’s a new grille, as well as new 16-inch wheels for Ascent Sport and SX models, and new Sunstone Orange and Lunar Blue exterior finishes.
There continue to be some unusual differences between hatch and sedan models. In addition to a slightly different colour palette, there’s a slightly different equipment list between the two body styles. You can view a full breakdown of specifications further down.
While previously Ascent Sport models cost the same regardless of body style, Toyota has now made the Ascent Sport hybrid sedan pricier than its hatchback sibling as it comes with standard satellite navigation.
The Ascent Sport’s $1000 Convenience Pack also brings different equipment depending on the body style. While both hatch and sedan gain rear cross-traffic alert when this option box is ticked, only the hatch gets front and rear parking sensors.
Ascent Sport sedan models miss out on standard blind-spot monitoring.
All prices exclude on-road costs.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla range has two engine choices, starting with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 126kW of power and 202Nm of torque (203Nm in the sedan).
The hybrid pairs a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, for a combined power output of 103kW.
The 2.0-litre engine comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with 10 virtual gears. The hybrid is only available with an e-CVT.
All Corollas are front-wheel drive.
The petrol 2023 Toyota Corolla uses 6.0L/100km on the combined cycle.
The hybrid sedan uses 3.9L/100km.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla hatch measures 4375mm long, 1435mm tall and 1790mm wide, with a 2640mm wheelbase.
The Corolla sedan measures 4630mm long, 1435mm tall and 1780mm wide, with a 2700mm wheelbase.
The sedan has 470L of luggage space, while the hatchback has between 217L and 333L. The larger of the two volumes is for models without a spare wheel.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
It requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, with the first five services capped at $205 each.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla has an ANCAP rating of five stars based on testing conducted in 2018.
It received scores of 96 per cent in adult occupant protection, 83 per cent in child occupant protection, 86 per cent in vulnerable road user protection, and 76 per cent in safety assist.
The entire range comes standard with the following safety features:
The SX and ZR add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The former is also standard on all hatchback models.
Toyota has yet to release a full specification sheet, however we’ve detailed what was standard on 2022 models and added any newly announced features.
The base Ascent Sport comes with the following standard features:
An optional $1000 Convenience Pack adds:
Moving up to the SX brings:
The top-spec ZR also features:
Hatchback models are available in the following finishes:
Of these, only Sunstone Orange and Glacier White can’t be had with a black roof in ZR guise.
Sedan models are available in the following colours:
Take advantage of Australia's BIGGEST new car website to find a great deal on a Toyota Corolla.
William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.
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