So the Corolla’s cabin doesn’t scream opulence but it betters a Focus for both character and quality, and is far from being shown up by more premium rivals. At 316 litres with the rear seat-backs in place (the 1.2 petrol and 1.8 hybrid have 361 litres) it’s at the smaller end of the class, and would struggle to take more than a few decent-sized duffle bags. Toyota has also slimmed the A-pillars, dropped the scuttle and moved the side mirrors onto the doors to allow for quarter-light windows and for better visibility. The stitched false leather won’t fool anyone but it doesn’t feel at all cheap, and all the touchpoints are reassuringly plush. The transmission tunnel is higher and wider than before but everything else is neater and simpler, with a sculpted dash and consistent use of piano-black plastic and chrome-plated plastics. Though we’re yet to get a sniff of the Corolla in its most basic Icon form, apart from swapping the 7in display in the instrument binnacle for one of 4.2in, the interior is unlikely to differ dramatically from what you see here, which is a very good thing. Certainly, sat side by side, the difference won’t be night and day. Lesser models get smaller wheels than these 18in two-tone items and go without privacy glass and electric door mirrors, though all come with LED headlights and body-coloured bumpers. Predictably, our car is in Excel guise – the top of four trim levels, and in this case augmented with an optional panoramic roof and a two-tone paint finish (though the upper portion seems more like a wrap). What is the new Corolla like inside the cabin? With 178bhp and a 0-62mph time of 7.9sec, it’s quicker than either the equivalent Honda Civic or Ford Focus, but remains an economy-focused device, with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km and a spec-sheet claim of more than 60mpg. The 2.0-litre powertrain driven here blurs the lines a bit. The 1.8-litre VVTi is identical to what you’ll find in the Toyota Prius, in fact, and with a combined WLTP economy of up to 65.9mpg but only 120bhp from electric motor and petrol engine combined, its priorities are clear.
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