Toyota Australia has unveiled the updated Corolla Hatch ahead of its market launch November this year, featuring a new two-tone exterior paint scheme (top-spec models only), bright Feverish Red metallic paint (standard offering across the board), and upgraded safety.

Other new additions include an eight-way powered driver’s seat, new parking support brake system (PKSB) and rear cross-traffic alert. The last feature is a driver assist system that helps reduce low-speed collisions, and this is offered alongside the blind-spot monitoring system. A specific variant of the Corolla, the Ascent Sport, Toyota can be had with the optional tyre repair kit to replace the standard full-size alloy spare wheel. This bumps up boot space by 116 litres to 333 litres, which of course can be expanded by folding the rear bench down.


In the powertrain department, things remain unchanged. In Australia, the family hatchback is available with two engines, the first being the M20A-FKS 2.0 litre Dynamic Force four-cylinder petrol engine. Naturally aspirated and fitted with D-4S direct injection as well as VVT-iE electric variable valve timing, it makes 168 hp and 200 Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) with automatic rev-matching as standard.

Also available is the new Direct Shift-CVT, the world’s first continuously variable transmission with a launch gear for improved low-speed efficiency and acceleration. It gets a 10-speed virtual ratio mode as well as a sport mode and paddle shifters. Sold alongside that is the Corolla Hybrid, which draws power from an improved version of the Prius‘ 1.8 litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and twin electric motors – the total system output is rated at 134 hp.


Other safety features include those part of the Toyota Safety Sense, such as pre-collision system (autonomous emergency braking) with night time pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, active cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam, seven airbags and a reversing camera. The Corolla also comes as standard with LED headlights, an upgraded infotainment system and an electric parking brake.