These prices were correct at the date of publishing for the postcode 2000.
2018 Toyota Corolla review
The comprehensive Toyota Corolla review
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finder score: 71.00%
Avg. critics score: 71.00%
4 critics
4 critics
How did we calculate this? We analysed and aggregated the scores of Cars Guide, WhichCar, Car Advice and Drive to bring you the finder.com.au score. This is a comprehensive score that brings together the four different expert ratings you see below.
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What's in this guide?
Critic reviews
| Website | Rating | Notable quotes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars Guide | 69% | "The Corolla isn’t} as pretty or engaging to drive as the Mazda3, but the car's reputation for reliability and durability, its good value-for-money, it's easy to drive nature, and the advanced driving equipment make it a sexnsible and smart purchase.” " | Read more |
| WhichCar | 80% | "If you are comfortable with the added complexity, the Corolla Hybrid Hatch represents exceptional value. It is by some margin the best Corolla you can buy in Australia." | Read more |
| Car Advice | 75% | "[The Corolla] has sporty looks and decent road manners, and it now comes with new optional safety tech – but it's still a bit short of the best in class." | Read more |
| Drive | 60% | "This latest generation is trading off that reputation for reliability and dependability. In general the Corolla is a step behind its rivals in terms of its presentation and dynamics." | Read more |
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How does the Toyota Corolla compare with its peers?
The complete Toyota Corolla review
Toyota Corolla pricing
Prices for the Toyota Corolla, when new, started at $23,676 drive-away for a 1.8-litre petrol Ascent trim hatchback with a six-gear manual transmission. The 7-speed CVT automatic gearbox cost $2,100 extra.
The most expensive model was the ZR hatch, which was available as an automatic cog swapper. This model featured a range of added luxuries like heated and adjustable front seats with lumbar support and electrically heated wing mirrors that automatically fold away.
The ZR hatch retailed for $33,803 when new. A number of car reviewers highly recommended the hybrid model, which sold for $31,238.
Any other colour than the flat Glacier White incurred an additional charge of $450 at the time of placing an order. There were eight colours to choose from, including metallic and pearlescent colours.
Used Toyota Corolla 2018 model pricing
- 2018 Toyota Corolla Ascent 1.8-litre hatch with a manual gearbox: $13,800 to $15,600
- 2018 Toyota Corolla Ascent 1.8-litre hatch with an auto transmission: $15,300 to $17,200
- 2018 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport 1.8-litre hatch with a manual gearbox: $14,500 to $16,300
- 2018 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport 1.8-litre hatch with an auto transmission: $16,100 to $18,000
- 2018 Toyota Corolla Hybrid 1.8-litre hatch with an auto transmission: $19,500 to $21,600
- 2018 Toyota Corolla SX 1.8-litre hatch with an auto transmission: $18,100 to $20,200
- 2018 Toyota Corolla ZR 1.8-litre hatch with an auto transmission: $21,400 to $23,700
Estimated private-sale value is from Redbook for a vehicle having between15,000km and 25,000km on it.
The Toyota Corolla range
Click on the price below to see repayment amounts across a range of car loan products.
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L Petrol Manual – $23,676 | 1.8L Petrol Manual – $24,729 | |||
| 1.8L Petrol Automatic – $25,779 | 1.8L Petrol Automatic – $26,829 | 1.8L Petrol hybrid Automatic – $31,238 | 1.8L Petrol Automatic – $29,660 | 1.8L Petrol Automatic – $33,803 |
Overview
Toyota sells heaps of Corollas each month, and it is usually the third best-selling overall car in Australia. The engine line-up is generally well received for its mix of solid fuel economy and performance, although the hybrid presents the best overall choice for most testers. The Corolla received universal praise for its good looks, excellent value, lowest in class servicing costs and forward thinking smart driving assists. It was only really marked down for having an average-sized boot, the lack of a turbocharged engine option and the omission of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It is unlikely you’ll regret opting for a Corolla.| Pros | Cons | Notable quote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars Guide |
|
| “{The Corolla isn’t} as pretty or engaging to drive as the Mazda3, but the car's reputation for reliability and durability, its good value-for-money, it's easy to drive nature, and the advanced driving equipment make it a sensible and smart purchase.” |
| WhichCar |
|
| “If you are comfortable with the added complexity, the Corolla Hybrid Hatch represents exceptional value. It is by some margin the best Corolla you can buy in Australia.” |
| CarAdvice |
|
| “[The Corolla] has sporty looks and decent road manners, and it now comes with new optional safety tech – but it's still a bit short of the best in class. |
| Drive |
|
| “This latest generation is trading off that reputation for reliability and dependability. In general the Corolla is a step behind its rivals in terms of its presentation and dynamics.” |
Engine and performance
If you hate making decisions, then the limited 2018 Corolla engine and gearbox line-up might appeal to you. You have the choice of a 1.8-litre petrol either with a manual or automatic or a hybrid model. Hybrid Corollas also have a 1.8-litre petrol engine, but leave the factory with a Synergy Drive automatic CVT transmission.
Hybrid models derive 73kw/142Nm from the standard petrol engine, while a 60kW electric motor supplements the torque output, adding 207Nm. Many car reviewers were pleasantly surprised by the off-the-line acceleration of the hybrid models, saying it had plenty of oomph. A few even went as far as saying it would be their pick of the line-up.
The rest of the range, perhaps confusingly, has the exact same petrol engine. The confusing part is that the sporty ZR hatch shares the same motor as the lower spec Ascent. All non-hybrid models have 103kW and 173Nm. In practice, journalists described the Corolla line-up as docile and respectable, but way behind many of its direct rivals.
It's a bit of a puzzle why Toyota omitted to bolt on a turbo. Most of the competition and international spec Corollas boast turbochargers for increased performance and efficiency. Several reviews picked up on this.
Almost unanimously, journos disliked the CVT automatic transmission. Words like droney and sluggish were bandied around. The six-speed manual was favoured as a better companion for the engine, with more immediate acceleration.
Features and Statistics
Engine type- Direct injection, with 16 valves and a double overhead cam plus dual variable valve timing
- Optional hybrid drivetrain
Drivetrain- FWDEngine size/displacement- 1.8L, 1,798ccFuel type- Petrol or hybridCylinders- Inline fourFuel tank capacity- 45-50 litresMax. torque- 173Nm @ 4,000rpmFuel consumption (best model Hybrid) – urban- 4.1L/100km
Max. power- 103kW @ 6.400rpmCombined CO2 emissions- 96g/km (hybrid) - 149g/km (1.8 petrol)Acceleration- N/AEmissions standard- Euro 5Top speed- N/ASecurity- Engine immobiliserTransmission- 6-speed manual transmission, 7-speed CVT or hybrid CVTTowing capacity (braked/unbraked)- 1,300kg (braked), 450kg (unbraked)
Fuel efficiency
The Toyota Corolla is a pretty frugal car and sips fuel sparingly. Surprisingly, the manual transmission car boasts the worst fuel economy, using a combined 6.7L/100km of petrol. The CVT automatic transmission returns 6.1L/100km, while the hybrid model burns an impressive 4.1L/100km.
Those figures are direct from the Toyota specifications list for the Corolla, derived from an ADR81/02 fuel consumption test. In practice, real-world figures are always slightly higher due to traffic, road and weather conditions.
For an SX model, one media outlet saw an increased fuel usage of 8.4L/100km – 2.4L/100km higher than the factory figures. Another journalist achieved 9.2L/100km. This is much higher than Toyota's claimed stats, but is still very much middle of the road in its class.
The hybrid Corolla in real-world conditions delivered fuel usage of 5.5L/100km, just one extra litre over factory numbers.
Hybrid Corollas hit such impressive fuel usage by blending an electric motor together with a petrol engine. The system also recycles conventionally wasted braking energy to top-up the battery. Around town, where you brake a lot, and sometimes quite heavily, this can make a world of difference.
Toyota decided not to include stop/start technology on the Corolla.
Handling
The general consensus is that the Corolla is pretty decent to drive. According to testers, engineers have done a solid job of creating a car that is nimble. The steering feels nice and light and is described as accurate. This light steering also makes parking a lot easier, especially on confined metro streets.
Others found the ride to be comfortable, evening out road bumps nicely, but not particularly exciting in any way.
One thing to note about motoring journalists, they like to enthuse about a car's handling, but you should take this with a pinch of salt. After all, the Corolla isn't a sports car and most buyers will only ever use theirs on public roads. For everyday driving, it is perfectly fine. It's a sensible and comfortable option, and that's all that matters to most owners.
Interior and other features
Here’s a breakdown of the Corolla trim billing.
- Ascent trim. Baseline Ascent trim is actually very well appointed. You can choose between a 7-speed continuously variable automatic and a 6-speed manual to go with the 1.8L Dual VVT-i engine. This model gets 16" steel wheels, a multi-information display (MID) and steering wheel controls for the MID and phone/audio inputs. This model also features Bluetooth and a reasonable 6.1" colour touchscreen sound system tied to six-speakers. Ascent Corollas have cruise control, manual A/C and a bank of safety assists. All Corollas come with a reversing camera.
- Ascent Sport. Next up is the Ascent Sport. This adds to the Ascent spec by swapping the steel rims for alloys, upping the entertainment system screen to 7" and including Toyota Link. These models also have voice recognition, privacy glass, premium gear levers and an executive three-spoke steering wheel. Buyers have the option to add satellite navigation with traffic data and a Toyota smart safety pack.
- Hybrid. Hybrid models build upon the Ascent grade, replacing some of the standard equipment. Obviously, this model has a 1.8L petrol working in tandem with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Additionally, Hybrid drivers benefit from smart entry and starting, plus a 4.2" colour multi-information display. This car also has dual-zone, automated climate control and LED headlights with cleaners to save energy. Hybrid vehicles can also be fitted with Toyota's Safety Sense.
- SX. The SX model is based on the Ascent Sport, but the six-speed manual as an option is done away with. The alloy wheels jump up one inch to 17" in diameter, which reviewers felt improved the handling. This model also has sat-nav as standard and automatic headlights. Sports bucket seats replace the traditional seating and the racing styling is strengthened with a sharp front spoiler and rear valance, plus matching side skirts.
- ZR. The ZR is the top flight Corolla. It's built around the SX spec, but includes a smart entry system, dual-zone climate control, heated part-leather front seats with power adjustable lumbar support, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, LED headlamps, heated mirrors that fold away automatically and an anti-theft alarm. Buyers can also choose an optional panoramic sunroof not available on the rest of the range.
Transmission
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Speed Manual Gearbox | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 7-speed CVT | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hybrid CVT | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
Exterior
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16” Steel wheels | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 16” Alloy wheels | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 17” Alloy wheels | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Full-size spare wheel | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Space saver spare wheel | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front fog lights | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Body coloured and electric door mirrors | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heated and automatically folding mirrors | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Halogen projector headlights | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ |
| Bi-LED headlamps with daytime running lights | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Automatic headlight levelling | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Front spoiler | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear bumper skirts | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Side skirts | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Skyview roof with electric shade | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Optional |
Interior
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front bucket seats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sport front bucket seats | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 60/40 split fold rear seats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Power windows (front and rear) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Auto-dimming rear-view mirror | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Premium 3-spoke steering wheel | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Premium shift lever | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Leather accented interior | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Driver and passenger front seat heaters | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Rear and side privacy glass | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Driver’s seat power adjustable lumbar support | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
Instruments and controls
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Information Display (MID) | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 4.2" colour Multi-Information Display (MID) | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cruise control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart Entry and Start system | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Steering wheel controls for MID, telephone and audio | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 7-speed CVT with paddle shift controls | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear window defogger with automatic cut-off | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Manual air conditioning | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ |
| Dual-zone automatic climate control air conditioning | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
Storage and convenience
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front and rear cup holders | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bottle holders – front and rear | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accessory socket (front and rear) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Coin box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front and rear door pockets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front seatback pockets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Driver and passenger sun visors with vanity mirrors and lamps | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Overhead console with sunglass holder | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Headlight reminder warning buzzer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Seatbelt warning light and buzzer – front seats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Centre console with storage box lid | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sound system
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1" touchscreen colour display | ✔ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 7" touchscreen colour display | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toyota Link | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Voice recognition | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bluetooth hands-free connectivity | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| USB input for compatible iPods®/ USB memory sticks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| AUX 3.5mm audio input for portable audio players | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Six speakers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Satellite navigation with SUNA traffic channel | ✗ | Optional | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Security
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine immobiliser | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-theft alarm | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
Toyota Corolla Safety Equipment
| Ascent Hatch | Ascent Sport Hatch | Hybrid Hatch | SX Hatch | ZR Hatch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill-start assist control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Emergency brake signal | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toyota Safety Sense (pre-collision safety system, lane departure alert, automatic high beam) | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | ✔ |
| Vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control (TRC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Seven SRS airbags | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Three child restraint anchorage points | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reversing camera with fixed guidelines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
2018 Toyota Corolla mechanical problems
There don't appear to be any major recalls on the 2018 model Toyota Corolla. Looking into common complaints with Corollas after they were a year or two old, there didn't really seem to be a pattern to the issues. These vehicles are still currently in their factory warranty period, unless they've gone over their kilometre quota.
The verdict
Toyota knows their market very well and reviewers agree this is the best Corolla they’ve made to date. There’s a reason the Corolla is Toyota’s second best-selling model and consistently ranks in the top three overall cars sold each month. It’s because the car perfectly blends value for money, low-servicing costs and a reputation for reliability and longevity with a pleasing form factor and sturdy build quality.
While critics may not have pegged this as the best in class, it does everything very well, with few compromises.
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