Toyota Corolla - Past Present Future

Published Date: 13th Jul 2023

Image of a Toyota Corolla Hatchback - Rear View The Toyota Corolla is a consistent choice for UK drivers. It is a reliable, fuel-efficient, and stylish car that has been on the market for over 40 years.

The Corolla is known for its reliability, with many Corollas lasting well over 100,000 miles. It is also fuel-efficient, with some models achieving up to 60 mpg on the motorway.

In addition to its reliability and fuel efficiency, the Corolla is also a stylish car. It has a modern, aerodynamic design that is both attractive and functional. The Corolla is available in four trim levels, Icon, Design, GR Sport and Excel, enabling you to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

The entry-level Corolla Icon is a great choice for budget-minded buyers. It has air conditioning, power windows and locks, and a touchscreen infotainment system. The Corolla Icon has many safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense™, which incorporates automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The range-topping Corolla GR Sport is a great option if you are looking for a more luxurious Corolla. It has features such as a leather interior, a JBL sound system, and a panoramic sunroof. The Corolla GR Sport also has a sport-tuned suspension and steering, which gives it a more engaging driving experience.

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The Toyota Corolla is great for UK drivers regardless of the trim level you select. It is a reliable, fuel-efficient, and stylish car available in various trim levels to suit different budgets.

Key Features of the Toyota Corolla

Sleek and contemporary design: The Corolla has a modern, aerodynamic design that is both attractive and functional.
Fuel-efficient: The Corolla has several fuel-efficient engines, including a hybrid model.
Reliable: The Corolla is known for its reliability, with many Corollas lasting well over 100,000 miles.
Warranty: The Corolla comes with a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty.
Safety features: The Corolla is available with lots of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense™, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Affordable: The Corolla is a great value-for-money car with various trim levels to suit different budgets.

Kia Sportage Key Milestones

First generation (1976-1981)

The first Toyota Corolla was launched in the UK in 1976. It was a small family car with a selection of petrol or diesel engines.
The Corolla was popular with buyers looking for an affordable and reliable car. It was also one of the first cars to be offered a five-year warranty, which helped to boost its appeal.

Second generation (1981-1983)

The second generation of the Corolla was launched in 1981. It was a larger and more modern car than the first generation, offering a wider range of engines, including a diesel hybrid.
The Corolla was also one of the first cars to be offered with some new advanced safety features, including electronic stability control and airbags. These features helped to make the Corolla one of the safest cars on the market.

Third generation (1983-1987)

The third generation of the Corolla was launched in 1983. It was a more refined and stylish car than the previous generations.
The Corolla was also one of the first cars to offer a touchscreen infotainment system. This system made it easier for drivers to control the car's features, and it helped to make the Corolla more user-friendly.

Fourth generation (1987-1992)

The fourth generation of the Corolla was launched in 1987. It was the most modern and advanced Corolla yet, offering many new features, including a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and a lane departure warning system.
The Corolla was also one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market. It was available with a choice of petrol, diesel, and hybrid engines, and it could achieve up to 57.6 mpg on the combined cycle.

Fifth generation (1992-1997)

The fifth generation of the Corolla was launched in 1992. It was a more refined and stylish car than the previous generations.
The Corolla was also one of the first cars to be offered with a sportier version, the Corolla GTi. This version had a more powerful engine and a sportier suspension, making it a more engaging car to drive.

Sixth generation (1997-2000)

The sixth generation of the Corolla was launched in 1997. It was the most modern and advanced Corolla yet, offering a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and a lane departure warning system.
The Corolla was also one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market. It was available with a choice of petrol, diesel, and hybrid engines, and it could achieve up to 57.6 mpg on the combined cycle.

Seventh generation (2000-2006)

The seventh generation of the Corolla was launched in 2000. It had visual and technical improvements not seen on previous generation vehicles.
The Corolla was also one of the first cars to be offered a seven-year warranty, which helped to boost its appeal.

Eighth generation (2006-2012)

The eighth generation of the Corolla was launched in 2006. It was a larger and more modern car than the previous versions so that it could move passengers in comfort and luxury not seen on previous models
The Corolla was also one of the first cars to be offered with features such as electronic stability control and airbags. These features helped to make the Corolla one of the safest cars on the market.

Ninth generation (2012-2018)

Launched in 2012, the ninth generation of the Corolla brought forth a new level of refinement and style, surpassing its predecessors.
The Corolla was also one of the first cars with a touchscreen infotainment system. This system made it easier for drivers to control the car's features, and it helped to make the Corolla more user-friendly.

Tenth generation (2018-present)

The tenth generation of the Corolla was launched in 2018. It is the most modern and advanced Corolla yet, offering enhanced features, including a panoramic sunroof, a new head-up display, and a lane departure warning system.
The Corolla remains one of the market's most fuel-efficient cars, boasting an impressive combined cycle mileage of up to 60 mpg. Its exceptional efficiency stands tall, appealing to environmentally conscious drivers and those seeking economical transportation.
The tenth-generation Corolla is also the first to be offered with a fully electric version, the Corolla Electric. This version has a range of up to 150 miles on a single charge.
The Toyota Corolla has been a favoured option among UK drivers for more than four decades. It is a dependable, fuel-efficient, and stylish car that undergoes continuous enhancements and technological upgrades.
The tenth-generation Corolla is the most advanced Corolla yet, and it will continue to be a popular choice for UK drivers for many years.

The Toyota Corolla Success

The Toyota Corolla has been a hugely successful car in the UK market for many positive reasons. It is affordable, versatile, stylish, safe, feature-packed, and reliable.

Affordability: The Corolla is one of the most affordable cars in its class, making it a great option for budget-conscious buyers. It is also very fuel-efficient, which helps to keep running costs down.

Versatility: The Corolla is versatile; it's equally at home in city traffic or on long motorway journeys. It is also a very practical car with a spacious interior and a large boot. The Corolla is available in both hatchback and saloon body styles, and it can be specified with a range of standard equipment and engines.

Style: The Corolla boasts a timeless, elegant, and refined design. It offers a variety of appealing colours and trim levels, ensuring a Corolla to cater to every preference. The current Corolla showcases a sleek and contemporary design, accentuated by a broad grille and swept-back headlights. The interior also exudes sophistication and has premium features like a touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster.

Safety: The Corolla is renowned for its outstanding safety performance, earning high safety ratings from independent crash test organizations. Equipped with an impressive amount of safety features, including airbags, ABS brakes, and stability control, it has been honoured with the prestigious five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, the esteemed European safety organization.

Features: The Corolla is packed with driver assistance features that make it a great car to drive. It has an intuitive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, and it is also available with a range of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

Reliability: Toyota has a reputation for building reliable cars, and the Corolla is no exception. It is known for its durability and dependability, making it a great choice for buyers who want a vehicle that will last for many years. The Corolla has a reliability rating of 91.2% from What Car Magazine? which is one of the highest ratings in its class.

These are just some reasons why the Toyota Corolla has succeeded in the UK market. It is a well-rounded car with a great combination of affordability, versatility, style, safety, features, and reliability.

Toyota Corolla UK Sales Volumes by Year:

Table of Toyota Corolla Sales Volumes by Vehicle Generation

Toyota Corolla 2023 Trims & Specs

Toyota Corolla Icon - Key Features: 16" Silver Metallic Alloy wheels (5-double-spoke), Toyota Safety Sense with Over-the-Air Updates, 10.5" Toyota Smart Connect + multimedia system with wireless Smartphone integration incl Apple CarPlay™, Toyota Smart Connect + with Navigation, 12.3" Combimeter screen, LED Multi-reflector headlights, LED Front fog lights, Wireless mobile phone charger.
Toyota Corolla Design - Key Features: 17" Black Machined-face Alloys wheels (5-double-spoke), LED Dual-beam Projector headlights, Smart Entry & Push-button start, Auto wipers, Auto-retractable heated door mirrors, Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, White ambient lighting on front cup holders & open tray, Privacy glass on rear windows with UV filter
Toyota Corolla Excel - Key Features: 18" Bi-tone Dark Grey & Machined-face Alloy wheels (5-double-spoke), Head Up Display (HUD), Adaptive High-beam System (AHS), Blind Spot Monitor with Safe Exit Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Automatic Braking, Heated driver & front passenger sport seats, power-adjustable lumbar support on driver seat, Front & Rear Parking Sensors with Auto Brake
Toyota Corolla GR Sport - Key Features: 18" Gloss Black Machined-face Alloy wheels (10-spoke), 10.5" Toyota Smart Connect + multimedia system with wireless Smartphone integration incl Apple CarPlay™, Front & Rear Parking Sensors with Auto Brake, 3-spoke Perforated Leather steering wheel with red stitching & satin chrome insert, GR SPORT push-button start, GR SPORT Scuff plates.

Toyota Corolla Engines:

1.8-litre Petrol Hybrid engine (140 hp) - Fuel economy and CO2 figures vary depending upon the Trim Selected.
2.0-litre Petrol hybrid engine (196 hp) - Fuel economy and CO2 figures vary depending upon the Trim Selected.

**Note - Figures are provided for comparison purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO₂ figures with other cars tested using the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real-life driving results. All vehicles obtain certification according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

Toyota Corolla Pricing

The Toyota Corolla models start in the region of £28k and go up to £33k depending upon the engine and trim you select, but you will save between £3k and £4k on most Toyota Corolla models.

The Future of the Toyota Corolla

Image of a Toyota Corolla in Blue The future of the Toyota Corolla in the UK is promising and brimming with potential. Toyota consistently raises the bar in design, technology, and efficiency with each new generation. As demand for electric and hybrid vehicles surges, it is expected that the Corolla will introduce additional eco-friendly powertrain options to cater to the environmentally conscious consumer market. Furthermore, advancements in connectivity and driver assistance features are poised to enhance the overall driving experience. With Toyota's unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, the Corolla is positioned to maintain its esteemed status as a beloved and sought-after vehicle in the UK for years to come.

Toyota has already showcased its dedication to sustainable mobility through the introduction of hybrid variants, and the Corolla is anticipated to integrate even more electrification technologies to meet the evolving demands of environmentally conscious consumers.

In addition to eco-friendly powertrains, the future Corolla is set to benefit from advancements in connectivity and driver assistance features. Toyota understands the significance of seamless integration with digital devices and services and the growing demand for enhanced safety and convenience on the road. Expectations are high that the Corolla will incorporate cutting-edge connectivity solutions such as smartphone integration, advanced infotainment systems, and intuitive interfaces to provide a truly connected driving experience. Furthermore, integrating advanced driver assistance systems will enhance safety and deliver a more pleasurable and stress-free driving experience.

One of the key factors contributing to the enduring popularity of the Toyota Corolla in the UK is its well-earned reputation for reliability, value, and customer satisfaction. Toyota's commitment to quality and dependability, backed by a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty, instils confidence in buyers, making the Corolla a compelling choice in the competitive UK new car market.

Toyota continues to focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction; the Toyota Corolla is well-positioned to maintain its status as a beloved and sought-after vehicle in the UK.

Main Rivals to the Toyota Corolla:

These are the Main Rivals to the Toyota Corolla that you may wish to take a look at:

Mazda3: The Mazda3 is known for its driving dynamics. It is more fun to drive than the Corolla and offers a more stylish interior. However, it is not as fuel-efficient as the Corolla and does not offer as many features.
Volkswagen Golf: The Volkswagen Golf is known for its quality and refinement. It is more expensive than the Corolla but offers a more premium feel. It also provides a wider range of engine options, including a diesel engine.
Ford Focus: The Ford Focus is known for its fun driving dynamics. It is more engaging to drive than the Corolla and offers a more spacious interior. However, it is not as fuel-efficient as the Corolla and does not offer as many features.
Hyundai i30: The Hyundai i30 is known for its value for money. It is more affordable than the Corolla but offers similar features and benefits. It is also available with a hybrid powertrain.
Skoda Octavia: The Skoda Octavia is known for its spaciousness and comfort. It is larger than the Corolla and offers more legroom and cargo space.

Comparison

The Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Hyundai i30, and Skoda Octavia are popular cars, all offering fantastic features and benefits. The best car for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle, the Toyota Corolla or the Hyundai i30 are good options. If you want a car with a more engaging driving experience, then the Mazda3 or the Ford Focus are good options. If you want a vehicle with a premium feel, the Volkswagen Golf is the perfect option. The Skoda Octavia is a good option if you are looking for a spacious and comfortable car.

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Ultimately, the best way to decide which car is right for you is to test-drive a few different models and talk to us, and we will help you make an informed decision.

We have stock cars in some Toyota Corolla models for immediate delivery. Alternatively, you can order the New 73 Registration Plate for September delivery now - be quick, as physical Toyota Corolla stock is limited!

Learn more by clicking the link: Toyota Corolla New Car Deals

**Please note that Toyota vehicle specifications, trim levels, options, and engines are subject to change anytime. Therefore, confirming the vehicle specification you are interested in when you purchase is essential. All car manufacturers reserve the right to change vehicle specifications without notice.