Toyota Corolla

Introduction

The Toyota Corolla is a series of compact sedans produced by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. Known for its comfort, sleek design, and good performance, it has gained a significant following worldwide. Introduced in 1966, the Corolla has become one of the best-selling cars globally. The latest generation available in Pakistan is the 11th generation, while the 12th generation has been introduced globally but is not yet available in Pakistan.

History

Toyota entered the Pakistani market in 1989 as a joint venture and launched the first Corolla in the country in 1993. The Corolla has since remained Pakistan’s favorite car. The 7th generation Corolla was the first to be locally assembled in Pakistan and dominated the market until 2002, making it the longest-produced locally assembled Toyota model globally.

In 1995, Toyota introduced the 8th generation Corolla with significant upgrades, including a new 1.8-liter DOHC aluminum-body engine and a rounder exterior. The 9th generation, launched in 2000, featured advanced security systems like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control, along with a sleek design. The 10th generation arrived in Pakistan in 2009, offering engine options ranging from 1.3 liters and 1.8 liters for the petrol variant to 2.0 liters for the diesel variant. Sales have grown exponentially, with an 82.51 percent increase in 2021 alone.

Features and Specs

Key features of the Toyota Corolla include fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride, and affordability. The latest generation in Pakistan offers various options, including the 1.6-liter Altis, the 1.8-liter Altis Grande, and a hybrid variant. The 1.6-liter Altis comes with a manual or CVT transmission, while the 1.8-liter Altis Grande features a CVT transmission. The hybrid variant combines a 1.8-liter engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower. Other notable features include a touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, and advanced safety features like seven airbags, vehicle stability control, and hill-start assist.

Price

The price of the Toyota Corolla in Pakistan ranges from PKR 6,169,000 for the base variant Altis X Manual 1.6 to PKR 7,799,000 for the top-of-the-line Altis Grande X CVT-i 1.8 Black Interior variant. These prices are ex-factory.

Toyota Corolla

The 11th generation Corolla is the latest in Pakistan, featuring a futuristic exterior and a more spacious interior. Production started in 2013, with facelifts in 2017 and 2021. The 11th generation Corolla is available in six different variants.

The 1.3L variants were discontinued in 2019. Pakistan was one of the few countries where the 1.3L variant was introduced, which was very popular but later replaced by the Toyota Yaris. The 2017 facelift included minor changes such as chrome additions to the front and rear bumpers, a seatbelt alert, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and improved infotainment options. The 2021 updates in the Toyota Altis X 1.6 Special Edition included aesthetic changes like the choice of beige and all-black interiors.

Toyota Corolla Exterior

The 11th Generation Corolla’s exterior features a modern and premium design. The front end includes sleek, narrow side-swept headlights, a large grille with a chrome accent, and a trapezium air intake. The rear has sharp side-swept tail lights, a large bumper, and a chrome trim piece along the trunk. The Altis 1.8L CVTi stands out with an X Package Emblem. All variants have a similar styling, with the Special Edition featuring a sunroof and the X Package including a sunroof, moonroof, and fog lights.

Toyota Corolla Interior

The 11th Generation Corolla’s interior is available in black and beige plastic trim, with an all-black option in the Corolla Altis Grande. The seats in the Altis 1.8L CVTi are covered in ivory fabric, while the Altis Grande features leather seats. Standard features in the base variant include air conditioning, an infotainment system, power steering, an Eco meter, and a tachometer. Higher variants offer additional features like satellite navigation, multifunction steering wheel switches, cruise control, front and rear cameras, paddle shift, hill start assist, and traction control. Other amenities include leather upholstery, a glove box lamp, and a rear USB charging point. The cabin is spacious, practical, and luxurious, with improved safety features like two front airbags, a seatbelt warning, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The push-button start/stop feature adds a modern touch, and standard Android Auto enhances the infotainment experience. The X package includes vehicle stability control and driving modes.

Corolla Engine

The Toyota Corolla sedan has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder base engine producing 138 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 173 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, paired with a standard continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for the front wheels. Another option is the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 120 hp at 6,000 rpm and 154 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm, with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both variants feature dual VVTI technology and low fuel consumption, making them suitable for daily use.

Corolla Mileage

The Toyota Corolla can achieve a mileage of 12 km/L in the city and 14 km/L on the highway, which is good for a sedan.

Corolla Ride & Handling

The Toyota Corolla offers a smooth ride with balanced handling, making it popular among Pakistani car buyers. However, the body roll is more significant compared to competitors, which may concern some customers. The strong brakes and light steering provide an effortless and enjoyable driving experience. While the 2023 models are more agile, their base performance is not as outstanding as some rivals. Overall, the Corolla delivers a comfortable and smooth ride with good handling.

Toyota Corolla Maintenance

The Corolla has been a staple in the Pakistani market, making spare parts readily available nationwide. Its long presence in the market ensures easy repairs and inspections by any mechanic.

Corolla Competitors

The main competitors of the Toyota Corolla 11th Generation are the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, both of which are in the same price range. The Honda Civic offers a turbo engine, appealing to those who prefer sporty cars, and its design is more popular. The Hyundai Elantra provides more fuel capacity and advanced features like wireless charging, dual-zone auto air conditioning, automatic headlights, smart door handles, adjustable back seats, and four drive modes.