The Toyota Corolla is a car with a long heritage. The first one rolled off the production line in 1966 and with 40 million vehicle sales, it’s arguably one of the most popular cars on the planet. So, the launch of a new model always raises huge excitement.
Are you thinking about purchasing a brand new 2019 Toyota Corolla? Check out this guide to find out everything you need to know before you decide.
A Car with a History
The first Toyota Corollas were manufactured in Japan in a purpose-built factory in Toyota City. Their plan to build 30,000 cars a month sent a shock wave through the motor vehicle media.
The innovative manufacturing approach, as well as novel design ideas, gave it an edge in a competitive automobile global market. They moved away from column transmission to floor shift. They adopted the new MacPherson strut suspension enabling a larger engine compartment and to reduce the vehicle weight and costs.
The comfort of passengers in front and back was improved. Seating and cabin space were improved as well as new features we all take for granted now. Two-speed wipers and reversing lights were delivered as a standard for the first time in any car.
Toyota always intended the Corolla to be a car for the global market. The customer orientated concept means they continually improve to meet and exceed customer expectations in each of their markets. It was a global and local strategy at the same time.
An Overview of the 2019 Toyota Corolla
As one of the most popular cars in the world, what can Toyota do to create some excitement around a new model launch? Surely there’s little they can do. Well, they’ve certainly tried to create some excitement around a completely new 4-door Hatchback, but more on that later.
What about the 2019 Toyota Corolla Sedan? What reasons are there for buying the 2019 model? Let’s review.
If you liked the 2018 model, you’ll love the 2019 model. The car is unchanged. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good reasons for buying one.
It’s attractive, comfortable, roomy and you get plenty for your money. The fuel economy is enough for many buyers. Add to this some great safety features and high standard specification and why wouldn’t you want to buy one?
A Drivers Perspective
Driving on the highway is a smooth, comfortable ride. There’s responsive steering but it’s no hard cornering specialist. It’s great for a road trip when you want to arrive fresh.
Even the base engine which is a 1.8-liter, 132 horsepower, is very capable. If you want more power, step up to the LE Eco that has 140 horsepower. Some other compact sedans have more responsiveness but the Corolla has other benefits.
The safety features, even on the standard model are class leading. Pre-collision warning and the capability to detect pedestrians are cool features. These features are part of the Toyota Safety Sense package which now comes standard instead of requiring you to upgrade and pay more.
Research shows that 37 percent of deaths from driving occur as a result of drivers leaving their lane accidentally. Including technology to help address this problem could make a significant difference to road safety.
Lane assist and departure warning tools help with those long highway journeys as does an enhanced cruise control. You don’t even have to think about dipping the main beam. The car does it for you.
Interior Features
The internal materials and plastics are a cut above the rest. Soft touch and quality finish make for a high-end feel. Having lots of internal space means you feel like you are in a bigger car and there’s plenty of headroom here and extra seat space, front and back.
Five people can travel comfortably in the Corolla. Front seats have 42.3 inches of leg room. In the back, it’s slightly less but there’s still 41.4 inches. That’s plenty for a tall passenger.
You feel well-supported by the seats, which are great on a long journey. The driver’s seat provides six different adjustments. Visibility is excellent too.
Exterior Features
In the past, the Toyota Corolla may have suffered from a rather bland image. The exterior of the Corolla is far from boring now. The standard attractive exterior gets a sporty look in the SE/XSE versions. Here the front vents go vertical, fog lights are LED-style and taillights are dramatically all-red.
The color options include nine attractive shades. These include five metallic options as well as both black and white pearl colors.
High Specification as Standard
As well as the excellent safety equipment that comes as standard, there are several examples of equipment that feels anything but ordinary. LED headlights, cruise control, and a rearview camera are included above the L model.
If you are happy to go without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, then the infotainment system is great. Bluetooth and a USB port connects your phone and charges it too. A 6.1-inch display provides a touchscreen interface with Toyota’s own multimedia bundle with Siri Eyes Free.
Optional Extras
If you need or want to have even more features there is a range of additional options. You can go for a different trim, more driver seat adjustment, and some different instrument arrangements.
Keyless entry and push-button start are also available. The infotainment system can be upgraded to include a satellite navigation system.
Engine Alternatives
Most models use the 132 horsepower 1.8 liters 4-cylinder engine. It uses a continuously variable automatic transmission. The SE also offers an optional 6-speed manual version.
A 140-horsepower engine tuned for fuel economy performance, rather than muscle, is fitted to the Corolla LE Eco. This delivers 40 mpg when driving on the highway. The 132-horsepower version does 35 mpg in comparable conditions.
What’s the Cost?
The base model comes in at around $19,600 if you pay the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The top of the range Corolla XSE starts at a reasonable $24,000. That’s without any extras but you get plenty of toys as standard.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
So, what about the new 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback? What’s special about it. Well, it’s a hatchback.
The styling is eye-catching. It has, what can only be described as an attractive rear. Note the gentle sloping hatchback door and smart wing above the rear window.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Engine
To begin with, it has a 168-horsepower 2.0-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder engine. The extra power marks it out from the other engines in the Toyota Corolla range but there’s more. They’ve made the car lighter and so it’s more responsive too.
With a length of 172 inches, height of 56.6 inches, and width of 70.5 inches it’s smaller but not so small it can’t be a great everyday workhorse. The compact package means that the combination of more power and lighter load provides the driver with a nimble sporty experience.
The standard transmission is 6-speed manual with downshift rev-matching capability. There’s also a continuously variable transmission option with better fuel economy and urban traffic stop-go convenience.
Don’t expect the typical continuous variable transmission sluggishness off the line. Toyota has got around this by incorporating a launch gear into the system. This means you don’t get a delay and can get going with sportscar like power.
Inside the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
There are several nice features inside, too. The 8-inch central screen makes the infotainment system easy to use and at last Apple Car Play is included. The interior materials feel like a quality car should.
The hatchback provides a practical a practical 2.8 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. The 60/40 split rear seats open up to give you even more storage space.
More thoughtful features are two central cup holders, a storage nook for your phone while it charges using the USB socket, and conveniently folding headrests when you use the 60/40 split rear seats. The sun visors even have extenders that give better shade than most cars.
Outside of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
The styling is enhanced with colors for all tastes. There are seven cool colors. Midnight Black Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Galactic Aqua Mica, Blizzard Pearl, Oxide Bronze, Scarlet, and the especially striking, Blue Flame.
The base car comes with 16-inch allow wheels but you can upgrade to 18-inch wheels. Lights, front and back, are sleek and striking. The overall effect is cool and sporty.
Think Again About Toyota
If you have been a loyal Toyota Corolla owner, and there are plenty of you, then you don’t need to be told this. If you’ve not looked recently, a 2019 Toyota Corolla is worth checking out. The car has moved with the times.
If you ever found Toyota boring, think again. This car is revolutionary, filled with the latest innovative technology and a blast to take on the road.
Learn more about what makes a Toyota such a reliable car today!