Pegasus Post: November 23, 2023

8 Thursday November 23 2023
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
‘Modest’ hybrid system leaves GX lacking
One of the first Japanese station
wagons sold in this country when
launched in 1966; fast forward
to 2023 and now the Corolla is
among the last.
Traditional body styles such
as wagons have been obliterated
here over the last decade, by
the seemingly never-ending
obsession Kiwi new-car buyers
have with SUVs, and these days
they are bombarded with choice.
For almost a year, the trimmed
down Corolla lineup sold here
including the wagon, were all
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
powered by Toyota’s popular
hybrid-petrol electric power
train. The ‘go all hybrid’ is being
driven on two fronts; one is
buyer demand, with the other
being Toyota’s push to reduce
the carbon footprint of their new
vehicle sales in New Zealand.
There’s a likeable sophistication
about the styling of this hybrid
Corolla wagon with the lower
grille showcasing its extra width
and LED headlights that wrap
around and delicately blend
into the front guards. Only
one model, the $36,995
Japanese-built entry-level
GX being road tested
here, is available on our
market.
Recently it received a
useful and long overdue
power bump from
90kW to 103kW. It is
now smoother and more
refined than the hybrid
system it replaces, but a fair
chunk of this goes out the door
under full throttle. The newfound
heft is most noticeable
in town driving, where the test
wagon coasted for longer periods
on flat terrain in EV mode only
at speeds of up to 50km/h.
Its star doesn’t shine so
brightly on the open road where
acceleration for overtaking
slower traffic is on the leisurely
side. Engaging the transmission’s
Sport mode puts a bit more
spring in its performance step in
these situations, but only does,
if you will excuse the pun, a
passable job. I could only wonder
how good this wagon would be
with the excellent 135kW 2.0-litre
petrol electric hybrid system
used in the Corolla Cross SUV.
People in the UK would know, as
it’s used in the high spec Corolla
touring wagon sold in that part
of the world.
The 1.8-litre hybrid system
used in the GX that’s the subject
of this review features in more
modestly equipped Corolla
wagons Toyota serves up to
the Brits. The 2.0-litre hybrid
offers a much larger dollop
Ratings out of 10: Performance 6; Handling 7; Build
Quality 7; Comfort 6; Passenger and Load Space 6; Styling
7; Value for money 7; Road test average consumption 5.6L
/100km; Safety – ANCAP not rated.
Overall points out of 10: 7
of performance, enabling it
to charge through the 0 to
100km/h dash in 7.5 seconds.
That’s about 3 seconds quicker
than the 1.8-litre hybrid. A CVT
automatic provides a consistently
seamless and pleasant – but far
from gear shifting – regime.
This is the largest Corolla
wagon so far, although a roofline
that slopes away steeply toward
the rear of the vehicle does
compromise load height. Like
the Corolla hatch, rear seat
space is tight, especially head
and leg room. Overall it isn’t
a commodious load hauler of
people or cargo. A refreshed
cabin features pleasant yet hard
wearing fabric seats, and smart
key entry with push button start.
Toyota’s excellent Safety Sense
technology package is standard
with impressive pedestrian and
cyclist detection capabilities.
Other noteworthy inclusions are
autonomous emergency braking,
all speed dynamic radar cruise
control, plus a bunch of other
safety tech you wouldn’t expect
to find in a small wagon in this
price bracket.
Handling is a vast
improvement on the Corolla
wagons that have come before.
Generally, the suspension
reacts quickly to sudden and
unexpected changes in direction
by the driver, or instigated
without warning by sub-standard
road surfaces.
Less engaging steering than
the Corolla hatch reflects the
fact that the wagon is tuned
for the Japanese market. Their
drivers prefer steering with a
softer, more comfortable feel,
rather than setups with sporty
aspirations and intent. While
both the handling and steering
of the wagon lack the crispness
of the hatch, it works fine in a
vehicle focused on practicality
and versatility.
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
We buy small
Japanese vehicles
- Must be tidy
UNDER OFFER
REDUCED
REDUCED
2007 SuZuki SWifT 5/hATCh
$5,495
1320cc, auto, 139,000kms, just arrived as is.
2012 hYundAi i30 5/hATCh
$7,995
1.6L, auto, 173,000kms, alloys.
2000 dAihATSu YrV 5/hATCh
$2,995
1.3L, auto, 184,000kms, new WOF, cheapy.
2014 TOYOTA COrOLLA gx hATCh 1.8
WAS $11,995 nOW $10,995
Auto, NZ new 176,000kms.
2016 TOYOTA COrOLLA gLx 5/hATCh
WAS $11,995 nOW $10,995
1.8L, auto, alloys, rev camera, 194,000kms.
SOLD
2012 niSSAn TiidA 5/hATCh
$6,995
1.5L, auto, 154,000kms, runs well.
1999 TOYOTA PLATZ
$2,995
4 Door, 1.5 auto, 199,000kms.
2015 TOYOTA COrOLLA gx hATCh
$12,995
1600cc, 147,000kms, rev.camera, NZ new.
2005 MAZdA AxeLA
$5,995
4 door, 2.0L auto, 182,000kms, nice car.
2010 SuZuki Sx-4 SedAn
$7,995 2.0L auto, 120,000kms, NZ new,
alloys, Paddle Shift, Cruise Control.
REDUCED
SOLD
2006 niSSAn WingrOAd S/W
$5,695
1.5L, auto, 184,000kms.
2015 TOYOTA YAriS 5/hATCh
WAS $13,995 nOW $12,495
1.3L, auto, NZ new, low 56,000kms.
2005 TOYOTA fieLder
S/WAgOn $5,995
1.8 auto, 191,000kms.
2012 hYundAi i30 S/W
$8,995
NZ new, 1600cc, auto, 133,000kms, alloys.
2005 CheVrOLeT CruZe
5/hATCh $5,995
1300cc, auto, 56,000kms.
2009 SuZuki Sx4
$8,995
5Dr Hatch, 2.0L auto, NZ new, 114,000kms.
- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz