2019 Toyota Corolla - Is it worth the wait?

Just a few days ago, Toyota Malaysia opened its order books for the all-new 2019 Corolla. As we are all aware, the official launch of the twelfth-generation iteration of the world’s best-selling nameplate is quite a huge deal.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla has already been launched in Thailand and now in its home market, Japan, too. While the C-segment segment has never been an easy one for most carmakers to tackle, the Toyota Corolla has been bagging victories for the past several decades without much trouble. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if the sales of the upcoming 2019 Corolla takes off just as well -- though it will be interesting to see how the competition responds to this.

There is no argument that this is the best avatar of the Corolla so far -- featuring the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), modern design, and up-to-date equipment. However, considering all the hype that’s been doing the rounds, can the 2019 Toyota Corolla be worth its weight in salt? And most importantly, should you be buying one? Let’s state some details for you then…

Exterior styling

One of the most distinguishing aspects of the upcoming 2019 Toyota Corolla becomes noticeable the moment you lay your eyes upon it. Toyota has done an excellent job in making sure that the 2019 Corolla isn’t just new for the sake of it - its design certainly reflects that. The front end styling of the 2019 Corolla portrays not only the new model’s sharp features but also Toyota’s new design language. The heavily-creased bonnet slopes down to the svelte front grille which is flanked a pair of sweptback headlamps with their signature LED running lights.

The chiselled bumper sports distinctive C-shaped elements along its sides, while the massive air intake seems to take its inspiration from the new Camry (and it looks great). When viewed from the side, the 2019 Toyota Corolla sports an elegant silhouette that’s highlighted by the wheels, bold body lines, and a sophisticated roofline. The rear of the 2019 Toyota Corolla doesn’t disappoint, either. The sculpted boot lid is adorned by a chrome strip, wraparound tail lamps equipped with LED running lights, plus a chiselled bumper that completes the overall design revision.

Basic dimensions:

Measurements	2019 Toyota Corolla
Length	4,640 mm
Width	1,780 mm
Height	1,435 mm
Wheelbase	2,700 mm
Boot Capacity	470 litres

Interior

While the exterior design of the 2019 Toyota Corolla looks great, it must be noted that the Japanese auto major hasn’t ignored the cabin experience. Gone is the blandness that was omnipresent in the older model’s interior, now replaced by a design that not only appears modern and striking but also feels quite upmarket. The multi-layered and contoured dashboard incorporates a ‘floating’ touchscreen head unit, stylish aircon vents, sporty-looking instrument cluster, and a chunky multifunction steering wheel.

The styling of the door pads looks fancy too, while the comfortable seats integrate a fair amount of side bolstering as well. Of course, there are still quite a lot of dark grey plastics all over the place, but Toyota has tried to inject youthfulness by mixing things up with some piano black and satin silver accents on certain areas. The 2019 Corolla’s cabin feels far superior to the outgoing model, both in terms of overall quality of materials and NVH insulation. As usual, build quality and fit-and-finish remain pretty air-tight!

As for its most significant features, the 2019 Toyota Corolla can be had with the following:

• LED headlamps with LED daytime-running lights (DRLs)
• Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers
•  17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225-section tyres
•  Keyless entry with push-button engine start
•  Leather upholstery
•  Adaptive cruise control
•  Dual-zone automatic climate control
•  6.8-inch infotainment screen and a 4.2-inch colour LCD driver’s display
•  Paddle shifters
•  Wireless smartphone charging pad
•  Rear window sunshade
•  Electronic parking brake

That’s not all. The 2019 Toyota Corolla will also feature front & rear parking sensors along with a surround-view camera system, electronically-operated and power-closing door mirrors, infotainment system with smartphone connectivity & GPS navigation, power-adjustable seat for the driver, and a six-speaker audio system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity among others.

Toyota has included several modern safety systems with the new Corolla, too. One of the most important additions comes in the form of the Toyota Safety Sense suite which brings Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Automatic High Beam (AHB), Pre-Collision System (PCS), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with active Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA). The rest of the package includes the following:

• Seven airbags (front, side curtain, and driver’s knee)
•  Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
•  Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
•  Traction Control (TRC)
•  Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
•  Emergency stop signal (ESS)
•  Front & rear Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)
•  Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
•  ISOFIX anchors with top tether

Under the bonnet

Engine	1.8-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated, DOHC
Transmission	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Power	138 hp
Torque	173 Nm
Estimated Fuel Economy	14.5 kmpl (combined)

 

The 2019 Toyota Corolla is powered by a 1.8-litre 2ZR-FBE four-banger motor. This normally-aspirated mill pumps out 138 hp and 173 Nm of shove which spins the front wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and comes equipped with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC).

The result of this is a zero to 100 kmph sprint time of around 10 seconds or so, and a top speed that’s north of 160 kmph. As for the 2019 Corolla’s fuel economy, the estimated figure stands at around 14.5 kmpl in a combined cycle. Toyota has tweaked the motor to boost the economy as much as possible, though that doesn’t mean that the 2019 Corolla is going to be floundering at a set of lights when you want to get a move on.

Safety features

Toyota hasn’t really forgotten about safety features when it comes to the all-new 2019 Corolla. The C-segment sedan comes fitted with some of the latest in protective shields. The upcoming 2019 Toyota Corolla is packed with some of the best safety gadgets in its class -- ranging from seven airbags to electronic stability and traction control. The latest Toyota Corolla is now one of the safest cars in its class.

In conclusion

The upcoming 2019 Toyota Corolla is undoubtedly going to be one of the most popular and best-selling C-segment sedans in Malaysia. The Japanese brand has worked hard on solving several complaints that it received on one of its most well-deserved cars. The latest in the breed of Corollas will surely come out swinging, and there’s not much its competitors can do to prevent its monumental success in the region. At the end of the day, if you really want a reliable, well-built, and safe family sedan in this segment, the 2019 Toyota Corolla makes a compelling case for itself.

Also Read: Indonesia to get the all-new Corolla Altis; Malaysia next stop