This is the new Toyota Corolla Saloon. The four-door version of the 12th-generation Corolla will join the already-revealed hatchback and estate to form a three-strong family when UK sales begin in the first quarter of 2019.
The saloon’s debut will mark the first time that a C-Segment Toyota saloon has been sold in the UK for almost 15 years. The new model is positioned, Toyota says, as a more prestigious alternative to the hatch and estate models, which is reflected in its unique styling.
• New Toyota Corolla hatchback prototype review
Its face is all-new: the headlights are smaller, the grille is slimmer and wider, and the less aggressive front air dam gets horizontal slats as opposed to the other models’ honeycomb grating. A long, straight character line along the flanks lends the traditional three box shape to smart proportions when viewed in profile, while the back gets a smoother bumper design and broader tail lamp units than the hatchback.
From the driver’s seat, the Saloon is pretty much identical to the other models in the Corolla family, which means that wireless smartphone charging, an eight-inch touchscreen, a seven-inch multimedia display between the dials and a head-up display are all available.
In the back, rear legroom is a match for the estate, as the saloon shares its 2,700mm wheelbase - a 61mm stretch beyond the hatchback. The different lengths have been made possible by the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-C platform which the Corolla uses.
Multi-link suspension and a low centre of gravity have contributed to the Corolla’s fine ride/handling balance - something we already discovered when we tried prototype versions of the hatch and estate, and which stands to reason should be carried over to the saloon.
In the UK, the four-door is expected to make use of just one powertrain option: a 1.8-litre mild hybrid. The 120bhp unit is shared with other Corollas as well as the Prius and C-HR, and in this application it’s claimed to achieve 65.7mpg in the latest WLTP tests, while CO2 emissions are quoted at 98g/km.
A 1.6-litre non-hybrid petrol is offered in other markets, while the more potent 2.0-litre hybrid isn’t slated for use in the saloon.
While official prices and equipment levels have yet to be confirmed for the UK, safety will remain high on Toyota’s agenda for the Corolla saloon. An autonomous emergency braking system, which can detect pedestrians in both day and night and cyclists during the day, and traffic sign recognition will both be available. Meanwhile, the car’s adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist systems can work together to semi-autonomously drive and steer the car on motorways.
Click here to read our Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate prototype review...
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