Nor'West News: November 23, 2023
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
8<br />
Thursday <strong>November</strong> <strong>23</strong> 20<strong>23</strong><br />
Incorporating<br />
best motorbuys<br />
www.drivesouth.co.nz<br />
‘Modest’ hybrid system leaves GX lacking<br />
One of the first Japanese station<br />
wagons sold in this country when<br />
launched in 1966; fast forward<br />
to 20<strong>23</strong> and now the Corolla is<br />
among the last.<br />
Traditional body styles such<br />
as wagons have been obliterated<br />
here over the last decade, by<br />
the seemingly never-ending<br />
obsession Kiwi new-car buyers<br />
have with SUVs, and these days<br />
they are bombarded with choice.<br />
For almost a year, the trimmed<br />
down Corolla lineup sold here<br />
including the wagon, were all<br />
Motoring with Bob Nettleton<br />
powered by Toyota’s popular<br />
hybrid-petrol electric power<br />
train. The ‘go all hybrid’ is being<br />
driven on two fronts; one is<br />
buyer demand, with the other<br />
being Toyota’s push to reduce<br />
the carbon footprint of their new<br />
vehicle sales in New Zealand.<br />
There’s a likeable sophistication<br />
about the styling of this hybrid<br />
Corolla wagon with the lower<br />
grille showcasing its extra width<br />
and LED headlights that wrap<br />
around and delicately blend<br />
into the front guards. Only<br />
one model, the $36,995<br />
Japanese-built entry-level<br />
GX being road tested<br />
here, is available on our<br />
market.<br />
Recently it received a<br />
useful and long overdue<br />
power bump from<br />
90kW to 103kW. It is<br />
now smoother and more<br />
refined than the hybrid<br />
system it replaces, but a fair<br />
chunk of this goes out the door<br />
under full throttle. The newfound<br />
heft is most noticeable<br />
in town driving, where the test<br />
wagon coasted for longer periods<br />
on flat terrain in EV mode only<br />
at speeds of up to 50km/h.<br />
Its star doesn’t shine so<br />
brightly on the open road where<br />
acceleration for overtaking<br />
slower traffic is on the leisurely<br />
side. Engaging the transmission’s<br />
Sport mode puts a bit more<br />
spring in its performance step in<br />
these situations, but only does,<br />
if you will excuse the pun, a<br />
passable job. I could only wonder<br />
how good this wagon would be<br />
with the excellent 135kW 2.0-litre<br />
petrol electric hybrid system<br />
used in the Corolla Cross SUV.<br />
People in the UK would know, as<br />
it’s used in the high spec Corolla<br />
touring wagon sold in that part<br />
of the world.<br />
The 1.8-litre hybrid system<br />
used in the GX that’s the subject<br />
of this review features in more<br />
modestly equipped Corolla<br />
wagons Toyota serves up to<br />
the Brits. The 2.0-litre hybrid<br />
offers a much larger dollop<br />
Ratings out of 10: Performance 6; Handling 7; Build<br />
Quality 7; Comfort 6; Passenger and Load Space 6; Styling<br />
7; Value for money 7; Road test average consumption 5.6L<br />
/100km; Safety – ANCAP not rated.<br />
Overall points out of 10: 7<br />
of performance, enabling it<br />
to charge through the 0 to<br />
100km/h dash in 7.5 seconds.<br />
That’s about 3 seconds quicker<br />
than the 1.8-litre hybrid. A CVT<br />
automatic provides a consistently<br />
seamless and pleasant – but far<br />
from gear shifting – regime.<br />
This is the largest Corolla<br />
wagon so far, although a roofline<br />
that slopes away steeply toward<br />
the rear of the vehicle does<br />
compromise load height. Like<br />
the Corolla hatch, rear seat<br />
space is tight, especially head<br />
and leg room. Overall it isn’t<br />
a commodious load hauler of<br />
people or cargo. A refreshed<br />
cabin features pleasant yet hard<br />
wearing fabric seats, and smart<br />
key entry with push button start.<br />
Toyota’s excellent Safety Sense<br />
technology package is standard<br />
with impressive pedestrian and<br />
cyclist detection capabilities.<br />
Other noteworthy inclusions are<br />
autonomous emergency braking,<br />
all speed dynamic radar cruise<br />
control, plus a bunch of other<br />
safety tech you wouldn’t expect<br />
to find in a small wagon in this<br />
price bracket.<br />
Handling is a vast<br />
improvement on the Corolla<br />
wagons that have come before.<br />
Generally, the suspension<br />
reacts quickly to sudden and<br />
unexpected changes in direction<br />
by the driver, or instigated<br />
without warning by sub-standard<br />
road surfaces.<br />
Less engaging steering than<br />
the Corolla hatch reflects the<br />
fact that the wagon is tuned<br />
for the Japanese market. Their<br />
drivers prefer steering with a<br />
softer, more comfortable feel,<br />
rather than setups with sporty<br />
aspirations and intent. While<br />
both the handling and steering<br />
of the wagon lack the crispness<br />
of the hatch, it works fine in a<br />
vehicle focused on practicality<br />
and versatility.<br />
Finance<br />
available<br />
(conditions apply)<br />
CARS WANTED<br />
– CASH PAID<br />
We buy small<br />
Japanese vehicles<br />
- Must be tidy<br />
UNDER OFFER<br />
REDUCED<br />
REDUCED<br />
2007 SuZuki SWifT 5/hATCh<br />
$5,495<br />
1320cc, auto, 139,000kms, just arrived as is.<br />
2012 hYundAi i30 5/hATCh<br />
$7,995<br />
1.6L, auto, 173,000kms, alloys.<br />
2000 dAihATSu YrV 5/hATCh<br />
$2,995<br />
1.3L, auto, 184,000kms, new WOF, cheapy.<br />
2014 TOYOTA COrOLLA gx hATCh 1.8<br />
WAS $11,995 nOW $10,995<br />
Auto, NZ new 176,000kms.<br />
2016 TOYOTA COrOLLA gLx 5/hATCh<br />
WAS $11,995 nOW $10,995<br />
1.8L, auto, alloys, rev camera, 194,000kms.<br />
SOLD<br />
2012 niSSAn TiidA 5/hATCh<br />
$6,995<br />
1.5L, auto, 154,000kms, runs well.<br />
1999 TOYOTA PLATZ<br />
$2,995<br />
4 Door, 1.5 auto, 199,000kms.<br />
2015 TOYOTA COrOLLA gx hATCh<br />
$12,995<br />
1600cc, 147,000kms, rev.camera, NZ new.<br />
2005 MAZdA AxeLA<br />
$5,995<br />
4 door, 2.0L auto, 182,000kms, nice car.<br />
2010 SuZuki Sx-4 SedAn<br />
$7,995 2.0L auto, 120,000kms, NZ new,<br />
alloys, Paddle Shift, Cruise Control.<br />
REDUCED<br />
SOLD<br />
2006 niSSAn WingrOAd S/W<br />
$5,695<br />
1.5L, auto, 184,000kms.<br />
2015 TOYOTA YAriS 5/hATCh<br />
WAS $13,995 nOW $12,495<br />
1.3L, auto, NZ new, low 56,000kms.<br />
2005 TOYOTA fieLder<br />
S/WAgOn $5,995<br />
1.8 auto, 191,000kms.<br />
2012 hYundAi i30 S/W<br />
$8,995<br />
NZ new, 1600cc, auto, 133,000kms, alloys.<br />
2005 CheVrOLeT CruZe<br />
5/hATCh $5,995<br />
1300cc, auto, 56,000kms.<br />
2009 SuZuki Sx4<br />
$8,995<br />
5Dr Hatch, 2.0L auto, NZ new, 114,000kms.<br />
- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz