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• Toyota has donned its Corolla Hatch model with a 'product update'.
• The Corolla Hatch Xr derivative has been spruced up with cosmetic and infotainment changes.
• 18-inch wheels are now available as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
Not since the Run-X has Toyota had a Corolla-based hatch that has garnered so much attention.
Launched in 2019, the Corolla Hatch has drawn praise from the motoring press and simultaneously grabbed a piece of the pie in the sales charts.
A year later and the Japanese company has instituted a product update. This comes after it added its Safety Sense active safety suite to the flagship Xr model. Toyota says the 'product enhancements are in line with market requests'.
18-inch wheels
A nice little visual change to the Xr is the addition 18-inch alloy wheels. Toyota waxes lyrical about 'these promote an even sportier stance and elevate the visual drama', but they just look damn cool. The wheels are shod with 225/40/R18 tyres.
Image: Motorpress
Infotainment game strong
The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality in this part of the segment is a must. Buyers in this segment want the ease of using their mobile phone via the car and the fitment of a new-generation infotainment system across the board allows this.
Toyota says users can mirror applications off their mobile phone for seamless connectivity - while providing enhanced telephony and messaging interfaces 'on-the-fly'.
Navigation applications such as Google Maps and Waze are natively included.
Safety is paramount
Earlier this year the Xr model was fitted with Safety Sense system that includes Blind Spot Monitoring. The company has now expanded features by including Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). In essence, it alerts the driver via sound during an alley-docking scenario where passing vehicles or obstacles may be out of visual range.
Colour options increased
The colour range has been extended with Graphite Grey and Caribbean Blue added to the monotone list while a new iridescent Red (Fierce Red) replaces Scarlet metallic.
Engine line-up
There has been no change to the engine choice, with the 1.2-litre turbocharged with 85kW and 185Nm staying put. Toyota claims a 6.3-litre per 100km average fuel consumption for manual transmission models and 6.4-litre per 100km for the CVT equipped versions.
The gearbox options are a six-speed manual transmission or '10-speed' Shiftmatic CVT.
Pricing
1.2T Xs - R369 100
1.2T Xs Bi-Tone – R379 800
1.2T Xs CVT – R380 600
1.2T Xs CVT Bi-Tone – R391 300
1.2T XR CVT – R425 200
1.2T XR CVT Bi-Tone – R435 900
All models are sold with a six-services or 90 000km service plan – with 15 000km or 12-month service intervals.
A three-year or 100 000km warranty is also provided.
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