Japan has followed in the US and Europe’s tracks with an updated Toyota Corolla range. Here’s what to expect in Australia.
Toyota Japan has revealed its version of the updated 2023 Toyota Corolla – the best preview yet of the upgrades bound for Australia later this year.
While updated Corollas have been revealed for the US and Europe, it’s the Japanese model which provides the best look at the facelifted model slated for Australia before the end of 2022, as the vehicles sold in Australia and Toyota’s home market are made in the same Japanese factory.
In contrast, European-market Corolla hatchbacks come from the UK, European sedans are built in Turkey, and North American-market sedans are made in the US (though the hatchbacks come from Japan).
As seen in the international reveals, the facelifted Corolla introduces mild exterior design enhancements, advanced safety improvements, more hybrid power, and an overhauled tech-heavy interior.
Exterior changes in Japan include a tweaked front bumper with new fog light surrounds for the hatchback, new C-shaped LED headlight signatures, a revised rear bumper, and a range of new colours, including a hero orange hue for the hatch.
The ‘C’ badges pictured on the front of each car are exclusive to Japanese models, as they have been since the current Corolla launched in 2018.
Bigger upgrades can be found inside, where the existing 8.0-inch touchscreen is joined by a new 10.5-inch screen – both running Toyota’s new infotainment software, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-linked satellite navigation, and over-the-air updates.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver, while a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is now offered – at least in Japan.
As previously reported, the available 1.8-litre hybrid system has been upgraded with a new electric drive system and a lithium-ion battery (replacing the older nickel-metal hydride battery), for a combined power output of 98kW, up 8kW.
Japan has seen further engine changes, with the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine currently standard across the range replaced by a 1.5-litre non-turbo petrol engine in the sedan and wagon, or a 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol engine in the hatchback.
These do not affect Australia, so all petrol-only models locally will retain the 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol four-cylinder fitted since the current Corolla’s launch, with 125kW/200Nm, a continuously-variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
The suite of advanced safety systems has been expanded with intersection support for the autonomous emergency braking system, and a function which steers away from pedestrians, cyclists or parked cars if a collision is imminent.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla is now on sale in Japan, across hatchback (known as the ‘Sport’), sedan and ‘Touring’ wagon body styles.
Toyota Australia has previously confirmed the updated Corolla for local showrooms in the second half of this year, in carry-over hatch and sedan body styles.
Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch, however mild price rises in Japan suggest buyers should expect to pay up to approximately $3000 more than before for a top-of-the-range ZR model.
Meanwhile, the Japanese launch of the GR Corolla hot hatch has been pushed back a few months to the end of this year, or early 2023 – in line with recent confirmation of a similar delay in Australia, from late 2022 to early 2023.
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