2023 Toyota Corolla: your questions answered

The 2023 Toyota Corolla continues the tradition of keeping pace with changes in motorists’ needs and preferences. That’s how it has come to achieve world record sales of more than 50 million across 12 generations since 1966 and few cars could have a better foundation for success than the Toyota Corolla, a nameplate that has appeared on more vehicles worldwide than any other.

The new models are equipped as standard with the latest Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system, with faster response and greater functionality, plus a fully digital, customisable 12.3-inch combimeter in the driver’s instrument binnacle. 

There are also major advances in the Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance systems, with new and enhanced features that recognise and help the driver avoid a wider range of everyday driving hazards. Safety and multimedia functions are future-proofed, with software updates deliverable over the air via the car’s data communications module.

These significant changes go hand-in-hand with refreshed exterior and interior styling details, including new wheel designs, headlights, colour options and upholsteries. 

Please note: the availability of vehicle features described in this article may be dependent on the grade of vehicle. Consult your local Toyota centre or visit toyota.co.uk for more information.

What is the powertrain of the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

The fifth generation of Toyota’s self-charging full hybrid electric technology is the heart of the new Corolla. Detailed engineering and design changes deliver a better driving experience, higher performance and improved efficiency. The changes include a new power control unit and transaxle designs, a more powerful lithium-ion battery and calibration to achieve a more rewarding driving experience with a closer relationship between the driver’s use of the accelerator and the drive force delivery. 

Performance 

The total power from the 1.8-litre system is 138bhp, bringing a 1.8-second reduction in the 0-62mph time to 9.1 seconds. For the 2.0-litre system, total output has risen to 193bhp and half a second has been shaved from the 0-62mph time, taking it down to 7.4 seconds. 

CO₂ emissions are from 100g/km for the 1.8-litre system and 98g/km for the 2.0-litre with fuel economy from 64.2mpg (all figures WLTP combined cycle, Icon Hatchback with 16-inch wheels). 

Hybrid system design 

The changes introduced for the fifth generation hybrid electric system include components that weigh less and are more compact – qualities that help maintain efficiency in tandem with the increase in output – but which maintain the reliability that is a hallmark of Toyota’s technology.  

A new power control unit (PCU) helps reduce the level of electrical losses in the system (-14 per cent in the 1.8-litre, -6 per cent 2.0-litre) and maintain fuel efficiency. The unit has a new double-sided cooling system and runs at a higher frequency, reducing its noise level. 

The PCU is installed directly above a new transaxle featuring a compact, high-output motor generator with new internals to improve fuel efficiency and dynamic performance. A new stator coil winding method has helped reduce the motor’s size. The complete transaxle is 15 per cent lighter than before thanks to the use of new materials – its casing is now 20 per cent lighter.  

Using low-viscosity oil reduces internal friction and adds to the all-around improvement in efficiency. Other detailed measures include smaller gears with teeth reprofiled to give a larger contact area and a smaller and lighter differential. 

Hybrid battery 

The new lithium-ion hybrid battery is smaller and lighter but has a higher output – qualities that contribute to both the car’s dynamic performance and its fuel efficiency. Compared to the battery deployed in the previous system, weight has been reduced by 14 per cent while power output has increased by 14 per cent. Toyota has optimised the battery’s cooling path to help prevent deterioration caused by temperature fluctuations and preserve battery life. Being housed beneath the rear seats, the battery unit doesn’t intrude on the car’s load space. 

Improved driving experience 

The advances made with the fifth-generation hybrid system include improvements in driveability. Notably, the driver experiences a better relationship between their use of the throttle and vehicle response with more consistent, predictable and controllable performance. A better acceleration feel makes for more confident driving. 

This has been achieved by calibrating the throttle better to suit familiar driving scenarios, such as stop-start traffic and frequent changes in speed limits. The acceleration also adapts to up and downhill driving, synchronising the engine speed with the driver’s inputs to give a more natural feel and easier drive. Running at lower rpm also makes the system quieter when driving at highway speeds. 

Are there any exterior changes with the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

The new 2023 Toyota Corolla range gains a more refined and contemporary appearance with changes to the front grille mesh pattern, fog light bezels and alloy wheel designs. 

Excel Hatchback and Touring Sports models gain new multi-LED headlights with an Adaptive High-beam System (AHS). A new lighting signature combines seamless daytime running lights and turn indicators in a single J-shaped unit that wraps around the headlight unit. 

The exterior paint choices include new colours inspired by current trends in architecture, product design and fashion. Juniper Blue is the key colour for the Hatchback and Touring Sports, with a vibrant, flaring tone. When viewed close-up, it reveals red undertones which create a fresh effect with subtle changes in colour. Decuma Grey is a timeless shade with wide appeal, its appeal enhanced by dark silver flakes in the paint. 

New-design alloy wheels are introduced: 16-inch silver 10-spoke for Icon grade; 17-inch black/machined multi-spoke for Design grade.

Are there any interior changes with the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

For the interior, the mood is more modern and premium with new graphics, trims and embossed patterns that add three-dimensional depth and tactile appeal to the upholsteries, surfaces and finishes. The trim and seat upholstery combinations follow new Dark and Light Harmony themes with coordinated colours and finishes to give the cabin a contemporary, elegant feel. LEDs are now used for all the interior lights, giving added brightness but using less power. 

New digital cockpit 

A new 12.3-inch digital combimeter in the driver’s instrument binnacle is provided as standard on all versions. 

Its ergonomic design maximises the space available with high-visibility, easy-to-read information and intuitive control. Flexibility is designed-in, in so the driver can adjust the content, including the number of dials and the information shown in each section of the central multi-information display. The combimeter can also be personalised with different themes: Casual, Smart, Tough Sporty. Changes are simple to make, using toggle switches on the steering wheel. 

Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia 

Connectivity has become a prime customer requirement, with people wanting a seamless, always-connected experience when in their car. The new Toyota Smart Connect+ system addresses this priority with a faster, more responsive multimedia package that is future-proofed with over-the-air updates to expand functionality or introduce new services. 

Featured as standard on all new Corolla models, it comes with a 10.5-inch high-definition touchscreen display (with convenient and conventional dial controls for air conditioning and audio on/off operation). The package includes both cloud-based navigation with real-time traffic event information and embedded navigation, an onboard voice agent; and smartphone integration via (wireless) Apple CarPlay and (wired connection) Android Auto. Four years’ subscription to services is included in the vehicle’s OTR price. Other useful functions include fixed-speed camera locations and weather alerts.  

In addition, a number of remote services are available using the MyToyota app, allowing drivers to use their smartphone to lock or unlock their car, operate the climate control to heat or cool the cabin prior to a journey, activate the hazard lights and locate their vehicle. 

What safety features are available on the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

The latest developments of Toyota Safety Sense have brought significant improvements to many of its accident detection systems and added new functions that increase safety and provide additional peace of mind. With the benefit of over-the-air updates, the software can now be upgraded automatically, with no need for the car to be taken to a service centre. 

New Corolla benefits from a new front camera that covers a much wider field ahead of the car, with extended reach both left/right and up/down. The distance of forward detection has been doubled compared to the scope of the previous hardware. Likewise, the coverage of the front millimetre-wave radar has been extended so that it can detect obstacles closer to the front of the car than before. Using Motion 3D and enhanced Deep Neural Network tools has allowed for a wider range of potential hazards to be picked out, including motorcycles and roadside objects such as walls, guard rails, kerbs and utility poles. 

This increased detection capability makes the Pre-Collision System (PCS) effective in more urban traffic scenarios, including the recognition of potential head-to-head collisions. The Intersection Collision Avoidance can now identify approaching traffic across two lanes, as well as cyclists and vehicles approaching from the side. 

The Emergency Steering Assist system helps the driver keep the car within its traffic line when trying to avoid a hazard such as a pedestrian, cyclist, parked car, or – thanks to the detection enhancements – motorcyclist. There’s also a safeguard against sudden, unintended use of the accelerator when moving at low speed, with a new acceleration suppression function. 

The Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has been revised to give a faster response and to operate in a way that feels more natural to the driver. For example, thanks to earlier detection, when another vehicle enters the car’s lane there is more gradual deceleration. The driver can select a longer vehicle-to-vehicle setting to establish a more comfortable gap and the ACC’s curve speed reduction function is activated earlier, giving smoother speed adjustment when driving through a bend. 

New systems have been added for safer overtaking: Overtake Prevention Support prevents unintentional overtaking on the wrong side of a vehicle (“undertaking”), and Preliminary Deceleration/Turn Signal Linked Control helps the driver safely rejoin the traffic lane at an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles.  

The Lane Trace Assist (LTA) has also been adjusted to operate with a more natural feel. It now recognises when the driver has moved out of the lane while trying to avoid an obstacle (pedestrian or other road users) and temporarily cancels the Lane Departure Warning. Its lane-centring function has also been changed so that the car will follow a more natural-feeling, off-set line when passing parked vehicles and other roadside obstacles.

When the ACC and LTA are operating, an Emergency Driving Stop system will monitor driver inputs; if these stop (use of steering wheel, brake and accelerator) over a certain time, it will sound a warning and, if the driver doesn’t respond, bring the car slowly to a stop and activate the hazard lights. 

The Road Sign Assist has been improved so that the speed limiter can easily be adjusted to match traffic sign information – useful, for example, when driving near schools or entering spaces shared with pedestrians. 

Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) is a new function that provides a range of safeguards when driving in low-speed areas such as town centres. Obstacle Anticipation Assist detects obstacles such as parked vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists ahead at an early stage and provides steering and braking support to help the driver avoid approaching too close. Deceleration Assist provides smooth deceleration when the driver comes off the accelerator to slow down for a slower vehicle ahead, or when entering a bend. Steering Assist detects a bend ahead and adjusts the steering force to help the driver adopt an appropriate steering angle. 

Driving assistance 

Excel-grade models benefit from a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with auto braking. They also offer an extra layer of protection when getting out of the car with Safe Exit Assist. This uses the Blind Spot Monitor in the door mirrors to check for any traffic (including cyclists) approaching from the rear, flashing a warning light if anything is detected. If an attempt is made to open a door, further warning lights flash in the multi-information display and a buzzer is sounded.    

Will there be a GR Sport model in the 2023 Toyota Corolla range?

Since its introduction in 2020, the GR Sport grade has proved highly successful in delivering a sportier profile for Corolla and extending the car’s appeal, in particular helping attract new customers to the Toyota brand. More than 20,000 have been sold across Europe to date. 

Inspired by the world championship-winning success of Toyota Gazoo Racing in race and rally competition, the GR Sport has a more powerful look that accentuates Corolla’s sharp, dynamic styling with unique exterior and interior design elements.  

The new 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Sport has new-design 18-inch machined alloy wheels and a new-look rear bumper and under-guard. The seats have a fresh finish with the GR logo embossed in the headrest and a new micro-hexagon pattern in the silver ribbons along the edge of the bolster and cushion. The GR logo is also added to the push-button starter. 

What is offered on each Corolla model in the range?

The 2023 Toyota Corolla is launched in the UK with four equipment grades: Icon, Design, GR Sport and Excel. Each grade is available in both Hatchback and Touring Sports body styles with a choice of both 1.8 and 2.0-litre hybrid electric powertrains. 

Equipment highlights 

• The entry point to the new Corolla range, the Icon grade, features as standard: New-design 16-inch silver alloy wheels, LED headlights and front fog lights, a new, customisable 12.3-inch digital combimeter, Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system with a 10.5-inch display, Satellite navigation, Wireless device charger, Smart entry and push-button start, Dual-zone air conditioning, Reversing camera, Front and rear parking sensors with auto braking, Heated front seats, Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance systems and Over-the-air software updates.

• The Design specification extends the Icon specification with 17-inch black/machined alloy wheels, LED dual-beam projector headlights, a power tailgate with kick sensor for hands-free operation (Touring Sports only), Rear privacy glass, Door mirrors with auto-folding function, Rain-sensing wipers, Ambient interior lighting, Auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Optional Skyview panoramic roof.

• The Corolla GR Sport adds sports-themed styling and features to the Design specification, including 18-inch dark grey/machined alloy wheels, GR sports seats with part-leather bolsters, Dark chrome lower grille, Black door mirror casings, GR Sport scuff plates, Red contrast stitching on the steering wheel and shift lever, Bi-tone paint finish option.

• The Excel models also build on the Design specification with the addition of 18-inch dark grey/machined alloy wheels, Adaptive High-beam headlights, Multi-beam LED headlights, Leather upholstery, Head-up display, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Assist, Bi-tone paint finish option and Skyview panoramic roof option.

How much will the 2023 Toyota Corolla range cost?

On-the-road prices for the new Corolla range are provided in the table below. 

What is the warranty coverage?

In common with every new model in our range, the 2023 Toyota Corolla is eligible for Toyota warranty protection for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). This comprises an initial three-year manufacturer warranty, followed by up to a further seven years of service-activated warranty.

For the first three years of the car’s life, owners can have it serviced at a place of their choice. When the new car warranty period expires, they can then benefit from an additional 12 months (or 10,000 miles) warranty when they have their vehicle serviced at an authorised Toyota workshop, in line with its service schedule. The warranty is provided at no extra cost, up to a limit of 10 years/100,000 miles. Terms and conditions apply; full details are available here.

2023 Toyota Corolla: Specifications

NB: Details were correct at the time and date of publication