12th Generation Toyota Corolla range

The Auris-replacing Corolla Sport from last year truly is a prologue for what is known to be the 12th generation of a globally ubiquitous household name in the motoring world, the Toyota Corolla. Now larger than the previous model's Axio and Fielder it replaces, the new and larger Corolla range; in sedan and Touring wagon, promises to be the most advanced Corolla ever with its TNGA platform, fuel-efficient engines, and cutting-edge technology that will keep them prepared in this ever-changing world where SUVs are treated like superhero movies in terms of sales.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring

Although they're now bigger than the Axio and Fielder models they've replaced, the new Corolla sedan and Corolla Touring Wagon are still sized just right to accommodate just about every corner of the planet and with prices slotted at the two million yen mark, they're still reasonably priced as the other fellows, be it the Honda Civic or the Subaru Impreza perhaps.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring

Like last year's Corolla Sport hatchback, the new models' aggressive styling really means intimidation from such an innocent-looking city-class midsize vehicle the rearview tells a different story because the sedan has a more dramatic rear view compared to the Touring wagon, which still has the Astra-like rear lamps of course.

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring interior

2020 Toyota Corolla interior

Although the new interior is almost as similar to last year's Corolla Sport hatchback, the new Corolla range is designed with commoners in mind, and thanks to dimension changes compared to its predecessors, this spells a lot of room for Mom and Dad at the front and you at the back, knowing that you will still have that sweet spot for you to get in and out of. In the case of the Touring wagon, it has a spacious rear room fit enough for stuff you've nabbed from the rummage sale of course.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring

Thanks to its TNGA-C platform, the new Corolla is now better handling and fuel-efficient than before. Having demonstrated from the Sport hatchback last year, the sedan and Touring wagon variants do come with the front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension, Active Cornering Assist, and Adaptive Variable Suspension. While they don't behave like their European competition, the new Corolla gives them more time to enjoy their driving pleasure at work or at play, especially on the weekends. Yes, exactly.

Under the hood, the Corolla is offered with a wide range of engines such as the 2ZR-FAE 1.8L petrol engine mated to a Super CVT-i with seven simulated gears, and a 1.2L 8NR-FTS turbocharged engine mated to either a 10-speed Super CVT-i or a more joyful 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission that works in tandem with different drive modes. Speedo boys might be tempted to get the turbo variant with the 6-speed MT but who cares?

Oh, I forgot to mention the hybrid variants that come with the 2ZR-FXE 1.8L petrol engine connected to an electric motor and the nickel-metal hydride battery Toyota still uses as of now. Fuel efficiency is a combined 29kmpl in the WLTP scale for front-wheel-drive variants.

Promising to be the most high-tech Corolla to date, the new models come with the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense with new active-safety technologies and capabilities that enhance protection. These features are Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed DRCC, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beam, and Lane Tracing Assist, among many others.

So, what can I say about the new Corolla? Well, in an era where SUVs are treated like superhero movies in terms of sales, the new Corolla range still has an uphill battle to win back the masses and with its TNGA platform, fuel-efficient engines, and cutting-edge technology, the new models will try to show the world that the Corolla is still the king of the world, although it's no longer one because of today's motoring climate, see if we care.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation