First Look: Based on the 2019 Corolla Hatchback, Toyota finally gets serious about building a sport compact car
First Look: Based on the 2019 Corolla Hatchback, Toyota finally gets serious about building a sport compact car
After a weeklong cross-country sojourn that began in Los Angeles, the publicity stunt that was a Toyota Tundra towing a large egg has, er, hatched in the heart of the Flatiron District. And what little chickadee emerged? The all-new 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is more expressive than the Corolla iM it replaces, and this car’s potential beauty is more than skin deep.
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Making its North American debut ahead of next week’s New York International Auto Show, the compact 5-door may be diminutive compared to the popularity contest-winning crossover segment but is just as practical and chock-full of Toyota’s latest and greatest in terms of connectivity and safety technologies.
Small package, big design
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More than just the packaging, the redesigned hatch drops the “iM” badge from its name, adds “Hatchback,” and also grows dimensionally for a bolder profile. Early numbers put the 2019 model at 1.5 inches longer in wheelbase and overall length as well as wider by 1.2 inches. Height is lowered by an estimated inch, however, but paired with wider front and rear tracks, this only further accentuates the vehicle’s visual athleticism.
But, wait. This is a Toyota after all, and Toyota is not a company not known for outlandish designs (save for its corporate sibling Lexus). Also, the Corolla nameplate remains the best-selling vehicle in the world, having eclipsed 40 million units back in 2013. So, while its design can and should be updated, things don’t get too crazy.
Available only in SE and XSE trim levels, the Corolla Hatchback’s new design language is immediately aggressive in tone but approachable in nature. A large, trapezoidal-shaped mesh grille is a refreshing change of face from the outgoing Corolla iM’s otherwise forgettable expression. New slimline LED headlights paired with available LED foglamps complete the handsome hatchback façade.
Its side profile features more streamlined and minimalist character lines that promote the Corolla’s newfound visual appeal all the way to its restyled rear hatch, bumper, and LED taillamps. Its slender and muscular profile conjures comparisons to the sleek Mazda3 5-door rather than the upright utilitarian looks of the Hyundai Elantra GT and Volkswagen Golf.
Distinction between the two trims will be apparent. Upgrading to the Corolla Hatchback XSE adds 18-inch alloy wheels, along with LED foglamps, extra exterior chrome accents, and adaptive front headlights. The 2019 Corolla Hatchback will be available in seven colors, including the new-for-2019 Rival Blue.
(Hopefully) improved power and performance
From the driver’s seat, you’ll command a new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Official horsepower and torque figures are still TBD.
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To back up its sporty new look, under the sheet metal, the new hatchback sits on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and features a sport-tuned suspension. And thanks to generous use of aluminum, high tensile, and ultra-high tensile steel, the all-new Corolla is estimated to be lighter and, subsequently, more fuel efficient. Torsional rigidity is said to also have improved a whopping 60 percent compared to the outgoing model.
An all-new powertrain is paired with this lightweight Corolla in the form of a 2.0-liter Dynamic-Force inline-four, which itself is lighter and smaller than the outgoing 1.8-liter 4-cylinder of the Corolla iM.
Unfortunately, as this is written the automaker is mum on official horsepower and torque figures but the new engine does feature a compression ratio of up to 13:1, which generally translates to improved power. Its lighter weight and improved overall efficiency should accompany better-than-2018 output figures, but how much better over the 137 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque supplied by the Corolla iM remains TBD.
Transmission options are new, too, with a 6-speed manual or continuously variable transmission with 10 simulated gears available. The CVT offers a Sport mode, paddle shifters, and the world’s first launch gear in a CVT-equipped passenger car. The launch gear is estimated to improve shift speeds by 20 percent, making for smoother acceleration.
Tons of technology
A 5-door, 5-passenger vehicle, the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback is equipped with standard front sport seats and lots of safety equipment.
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In terms of connectivity, all Corolla Hatchback models are equipped with a rather prominent 8-inch customizable multimedia touchscreen, which protrudes from the top of the dashboard and offers access to vehicle settings, audio, navigation, and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay. Additionally, the system features six speakers, Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, and Entune 3.0 apps.
Standard for XSE trims, the upgraded Entune 3.0 Audio Plus adds a slew of radio-centric features, such as HD Radio and satellite radio. These are options for the SE trim, but only when it is equipped with the CVT.
A premium version of the infotainment system is optional with XSE trim and the CVT, and includes a JBL 8-speaker 800-watt sound system, advanced voice recognition, a dynamic embedded navigation system, and more.
As great as these infotainment selections are, a key selling point with smaller vehicles is safety and the all-new Corolla Hatchback doesn’t disappoint. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard, and this updated suite of safety systems is a first for the North American market.
Highlights include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a pre-collision system that features forward collision warning, brake assist, and automatic emergency braking. Additionally, a rearview camera is standard while blind spot monitoring is available on SE trim and standard on XSE models.
With a CVT, the adaptive cruise control is upgraded for full-speed-range operation. The forward collision warning system’s pedestrian detection technology now works at night as well as during the day, and a new cyclist detection feature is good during daylight hours.
Also new is Lane Tracing Assist, which is for highway and freeway driving only. Only enabled when using adaptive cruise control, the system essentially helps to keep the car centered in the lane of travel, actively tracking the center of the lane (with or without road markings) and providing steering assistance to reduce driver fatigue.
Sound good? You won’t need to wait long. The all-new 2019 Corolla Hatchback is expected to arrive in dealerships this summer with pricing (and engine power specs) to be released closer to its on-sale date.
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Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/news/2019-toyota-corolla-hatchback-preview-article-1.3891749
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