The Sleeping Giant Has Awoken, and Everyone Should Be Very Worried

With well over 40 million Corollas sold worldwide, it’s fair to say that Toyota knows a thing or two about giving people what they want. And now, in its twelfth generation, the latest Corolla has officially landed in South Africa.

A Legacy of Excellence

The Corolla nameplate originally appeared in 1966 and went on to become the best-selling car worldwide by 1974, remaining one of the best-selling cars in the world since then. In 1997, the Corolla became the best-selling nameplate globally, surpassing the Volkswagen Beetle.

The "It Car" Phenomenon

While this new Corolla will likely appeal to a huge market as before, it’s important to remember that this Corolla – which went on sale Stateside around the middle of 2018 – was the “it car” at last November’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Despite not being the most powerful hatch on the market, its sporty and aggressive lines have made it the car of choice for tuners and modifiers in the USA.

And if you think this kind of thing was a one-hit wonder from Toyota, it’s part of their plan that has been in the works for some time now, with the GT86 being that “it car” at SEMA for many years, and the all-new A90 Supra set to take over the mantle at the world’s largest aftermarket show late this year.

What's Special About the New Corolla Hatch?

But what is so special about the new Corolla Hatch? For starters, its name changes from Auris to Corolla Hatch, to see it fit more in line with Toyota’s model line-up. The compact hatch, which competes in the C-segment, sees it go up against established names like the Peugeot 308, Renault Megane, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, and the Volkswagen Golf.

The Corolla Hatch shares its platform with the C-HR and the Prius, running on Toyota’s TNGA platform, although the Corolla runs on the GA-C modular platform. Compared to its predecessor, the Corolla Hatch is actually 40mm longer at 4375mm, yet its roofline is 25mm lower – giving it a far sleeker look. Its wheelbase of 2640mm is also larger than before, meaning a far more spacious cabin. The larger cabin further translates to a claimed luggage capacity of 503 litres.

The Move Toward a Sportier Hatch

What’s great is that Toyota is actually warming to the idea of a ‘warm hatch’, with the new Corolla Hatch lending itself nicely to the sporty treatment – as seen on the GR Sport version of the Corolla Hatch.

And while Toyota mulls over a full-blown GRMN derivative that will go up against the Golf GTI, South Africa will get three flavors of the Corolla Hatch at launch. Unfortunately, there is only one engine on offer – the same 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol motor found in the C-HR. As in the C-HR, it produces just 85kW and 185Nm. And like in the C-HR, buyers get the choice of either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic CVT (continuously variable transmission).

Expect 0-100kph to take 9.5 seconds in the manual and around 10.4 in the CVT. Fuel consumption, though, has been pegged at just 6.1 litres per 100km for both manual and CVT variants. Interestingly, the Corolla sedan – which is expected to debut in South Africa next year – will use a more powerful 2.0-litre engine that is claimed to produce an impressive 125kW.

Toyota's Focus on the Future

One area that Toyota is paying particular attention to with their new generation cars is ensuring they continue to lead in innovation and reliability, making sure their vehicles remain top choices in their respective markets.

The Toyota Corolla Hatch is more than just a name; it's a statement of intent from a brand that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.