The twelfth-gen Toyota Corolla hatch has received its first annual update, with a suite of changes for 2020 that bundles smartphone integration, additional safety tech and an available, racier two-tone colour scheme. No pricing changes have been announced.
Arriving in November this year, Toyota will make Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring tech a standard feature of the Corolla range, senior sources have confirmed.
The Corolla will continue to be offered with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol (125kW/200Nm) or 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid (90kW) engines. Hopes that the Corolla would be upgraded to Europe’s punchier 132kW 2.0-litre hybrid were not met this year.
This new shade is called ‘Feverish Red’, seen with the new black roof option.
On the safety front, a new low-speed manoeuvre emergency braking system primarily designed for use while parking will be added to the mid-tier SX and high-spec ZR grades. The system, called Parking Support Brake, detects static objects and rear cross-traffic while the Corolla is travelling at up to 15km/h.
The new ‘colourway’ paint jobs will allow those buying the top-spec ZR to have the Corolla hatch’s roof painted black when paired with a range of colours that include a new shade of ‘Feverish’ red (replacing ‘Volcanic’ red). This two-tone scheme has been available in some markets since the new shape launched but it’s only now reached Australia.
This touchscreen will soon feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Inside, the ZR also picks up eight-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, replacing manual control.
Finally, the base Ascent Sport grade will now be optionally available with a tyre repair kit replacing the standard full-size spare wheel. If that option box is ticked boot space increases from 217 litres to 333 litres.
For those looking for a boot, a new Toyota Corolla sedan will launch later in 2019.
2019 Toyota Corolla Australian pricing (plus on-road costs)
Ascent Sport hatch petrol manual: $22,870
Ascent Sport hatch petrol CVT: $24,370
Ascent Sport hatch hybrid CVT: $25,870
SX hatch petrol CVT: $26,870
SX hatch hybrid CVT: $28,370
ZR hatch petrol CVT: $30,370
ZR hatch hybrid CVT: $31,870