The Toyota Corolla needs no introduction...
Like the Volkswagen Golf , it’s one of those cars everyone recognises. Until recently it had a stint as the world’s most popular car – some 50 million have been produced since the nameplate’s introduction back in the 1960s. Chances are your parents owned one, you’ve owned one, or you’ve at least ridden in one – these days so many are used as Uber’s, you’d be living under a rock if you hadn’t had some sort of experience.
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. It remains one of Australia’s most popular vehicles, which is admirable given the state of the market. Passenger cars just aren’t in favour, though the Corolla still manages to consistently clinch a spot in the top 10 of the VFACTS sales charts every month.
Here on test we have the 2024 Toyota Corolla Sedan Ascent Sport Hybrid, the most affordable version of the Japanese brand’s small sedan with electrified power. It’s no secret the Corolla’s reputation for dependability and efficiency are key drivers for its popularity, but it’s always good to revisit a family favourite as more competitors come into market. More than ever, players like Toyota are under attack from Chinese challengers.
This Corolla Sedan, for example, is about then same price drive-away as an all-electric GWM Ora ($35,990 D/A). Not direct rivals on paper, but as we’ve seen of late Australian customers cross-shop some odd matchups. D.