If they keep this up, they’ll ruin their reputation.
Just imagine, a Corolla with a six-speed manual transmission, spoiler and other sporty body cladding, 18-inch alloy wheels and Blue Crush metallic paint. What’s this world coming too? A sporty Corolla!
Relax, it’s all a bit of a façade. Beneath all that sporty stuff lies the Corolla we have come to expect and respect — value, quality, efficiency and reliability. More than 45 million have been sold over the years. But this new one is different, arguably the most significant upgrade in Corolla history. It starts with a new platform.
Regular readers often chide me for my constant references to platforms. But the platform is the very foundation of any vehicle, the structure to which everything else is attached — engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, steering, body etc. Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) is the base for the 2020 Corolla. Sixty per cent stiffer than it’s predecessor, it gets a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, replacing the old torsion-beam setup. The result transforms the Corolla.
There is a general sense of a more refined small car, with nicely weighted steering and the ability to tackle rough surface with aplomb. There is a new level of driving dynamics whether tackling back road twisties or an off-ramp with verve.
Improved performance, impressive mileage
Don’t let me mislead you. This is not a sports sedan, there are others in this class that play that role. The ride and handling balance has shifted away from ride-centric toward the middle. In short it handles better without a loss of ride quality.
In addition to unique bumpers at both ends, and some trim pieces, the SE trim I tested comes with what Toyota’s refers to as a “sports suspension” paired with larger wheels and tires. That is a bit of a misnomer, but when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the SE does make driving a Corolla a lot more enjoyable for anyone with an ounce of enthusiasm in their veins.
This transmission comes with electronic rev-matching. Press the iMT (intelligent manual transmission) button at the leading edge of the console and the gearbox automatically matches revs when shifting gears, eliminating the lurch wen the next gear is engaged. The linkage is direct, clutch take-up gradual and the throws a little long. But, driving this car equipped with this transmission provides that feeling of being involved missing with an automatic transmission.
The base 2020 Corolla L gets a carry-over 1.8-litre engine. The SE and XSE trims get a more powerful 2.0-litre version, producing 169 horsepower. It revs willingly, but I miss the low-to-mid-range torque of some turbocharged competitors. Performance is mid-pack but fuel economy is quite impressive. The new Corolla with this engine is rated at 8.2 litres per 100 km in the city and 6.5 on the open road. I average 6.3 for a week of mixed city and highway driving with no attempt at saving fuel!
Upgrades bode well for bestseller
The new platform has the same wheelbase as the old in this sedan application. It is shorter for the hatchback Corolla. The position of the body atop the platform has resulted in a better balance and newfound alacrity. But it has resulted in the loss of rear seat legroom. The sleek new body brings a lower roofline and the need to duck to get into that rear seat.
The interior also benefits from a major upgrade. Fit and finish are up to Toyota’s high standards, but the quality of materials and standard amenities have improved. The infotainment screen is 18 cm on the base model and 20 on the SE and XSE. Both support Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. Air conditioning and power windows, locks and mirrors are standard across the board as is a rear view.
Also standard is the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package. This brings pre-collision warning with cycle and pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist and dynamic cruise control. Blind spot warning is standard on the SE and XSE grades.
The Corolla has been a major player in the Canadian market for 50 years. The improvements in the 2020 model bode well for the next half century.
The specs
Model: 2020 Toyota Corolla SE 6M
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, 169 horsepower, 151 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel
Transmission: six-speed manual
NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 8.2/6.5
Length: 4,635 mm
Width: 1,780 mm
Wheelbase: 2,700 mm
Weight: 1,380 kg
Price: $22,290 base, $26,066 as tested, including freight
Standard equipment: tilt and telescope steering wheel, six-speaker audio system with Apple CarPlay, 17-cm display, USB charge port, Bluetooth capability, USB and aux inputs, voice-recognition, windshield imprinted antennae, air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, power windows and locks, backup camera, push button start, remote keyless entry
Options on test vehicle: SE Upgrade package (heated steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, power sunroof), $2,000
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