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Changes: 2020 Toyota Corolla XR 2.0 CVT sedan (E210)

Now somewhat sexy

Pics by Toyota@Motorpress
Posted: September 3. 2020

The numbers
Price: R433 700
Engine: Toyota M20A-FKS, 1986 cc, naturally aspirated, inline four-cylinder
Power: 125 kW at 6600 rpm
Torque: 200 Nm between 4400 and 4800 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 8.6 seconds
Maximum speed: 195 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.7 l/100 km
Tank: 50 litres
Luggage: 470 litres
Turning circle: 10.6 metres
Ground clearance: 135 mm
Rated towing capacity: 400 kg
ASEAN NCAP: 5 stars
Warranty: 3 years / 100 000 km
Service plan: 6 services, 90 000 km at 15 000 km or annual intervals


There was a time when Corollas were criticised for being as bland as household appliances; they were somewhat plain, solid and reliable, expensive on first purchase but compensating with solid resale value. And, it was said, you never had to advertise your old one. Prospective buyers would hunt you down and hound you until you gave in.

But that insipid image is fading. This new car looks more ‘way more aggressive with its wider, shark-like mouth and slitty ‘eyes’. It even has gills on either side of the front bumper apron. Bland it is not.

The interior gains a tablet-style touchscreen, new steering wheel, restyled dash, new ventilation controls and new instruments. The seats were reworked too. Other new kit includes LED headlights across the range with Bi-LED automatic high-beams for XR models.

These also score digital instruments, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane trace assist (keeps you centred within your lane), pre-crash brake synchronisation and blind spot monitoring. That’s what the BSM lettering on the digital speedo face is about. No kinkiness here; this is a Corolla.

Unseen changes include double wishbone rear suspension plundered from the Lexus warehouse and a new 2.0-litre engine with optional, and greatly improved, 10-step CVT for XR models.

The engine: Part of a new range, the 2.0-litre Dynamic Force motor features wider valve angles that improve mixing for better combustion, 13:1 compression ratio for more power, and reduced energy losses to improve performance and fuel economy. Toyota claims 40 percent thermal efficiency. The bottom line is that it hauls ass; like a student hustling to the Refectory at lunchtime.

The CVT: Lighter and more compact than the one it replaced, it offers a lower centre of gravity and a newly-developed high-performance torque converter. This reduces torque loss by about 50 percent compared with a conventional six-speed automatic. Further, improved gear tooth surfaces and clutch materials reduce friction losses. Verdict: As usable as any conventional automatic, it changes quickly and smoothly, shows no detectable slippage and kicks down nicely.

Shifting manually, should you wish to, is via stick or paddles. Selections by paddle default back to Drive at the first opportunity while those chosen by stick remain selected for as long as required. Both options work in either ECO or Sport mode.

The old hand brake made way for an electric version that sets and releases automatically whenever Park is engaged or disengaged. Other new automations include keyless entry and starting, one-touch activation on all windows and a pushbutton option to unlock the boot lid. The old mechanical release lever, on the floor next to the driver’s seat, is still there as are the buttons to release each half of the rear seatback. The difference is that these are now pressed rather than lifted.

Size-wise, the new car is 10mm longer, 5mm wider and 20 mm lower although ride height was raised by 10mm; to 135mm in the case of two-litre models. The body was stiffened and suspension reworked, both contributing to improved handling. The fuel tank reduced in size to 50 litres and XR versions now have spacesaver spare wheels. Amongst all this, the car gained about 60 kg in weight. That’s comparing like for like; 1.8-litre XS with seven-step CVT. On the plus side, boot capacity increased by 18 litres to 470.  It still loads at about 70cm with a lip that’s 15.5cm deep.

Safety kit, apart from the new items mentioned, remains plentiful and includes all that one really needs; ISOFix mountings but no top tethers, seven airbags, ABS with EBA and EBD, ESP, hill hold, and reversing camera but no parking alarms.

Storage space in the cabin is fair but not exceptional; there are two USBs; one of which is for recharging, both visor mirrors are illuminated and there are two courtesy lamps. The most-used controls are easy to operate and the menus are workable by adults.
New Corolla isn’t flamboyant, yet still solid and practical, with all the electronic gadgets you actually need. And a couple extra, just in case.

It’s handsomer than its predecessor and delivers a good dose of performance when needed. Should you keep it ten years or longer, you may yet find yourself buttonholed by complete strangers demanding you let them buy it. Because it’s a Corolla; still solid value but now somewhat sexy.

Test unit from Toyota SA press fleet

We drove the new Hatchback in 2019

And a 1.4 diesel with the old body in 2017

And the XR manual in 2020

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

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