Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla was once the highest-selling car in the world. The Japanese automobile major has unveiled the GR Corolla TC in partnership with Haas in Formula 1. The new race car was unveiled before the media at the GR Garage in Mooresville, North Carolina. The GR Corolla TC will be slotted between the Supra GT4 car and the GR86 Cup racer. The current version of the Toyota Corolla is available in two versions. The car is equipped with a potent 1.6-litre powertrain. The cabin is spacious and premium. The price of the 2024 Toyota Corolla starts at AED 74,900.

How many variants are there in the Toyota Corolla?

The twelfth-generation version of the Toyota Corolla sold in the UAE car market is the “Prestige” model of the sedan, which has been designed exclusively for the Asian and Middle-East markets. With tweaked front and rear profiles, the Toyota Corolla Prestige is sold in the UAE in two variants – XLI and GLI, both of which are offered with a petrol automatic powertrain as standard. 

How much is the price of the Toyota Corolla in the UAE?

The two variants of the Toyota Corolla sold in the UAE – XLI and GLI – are being offered with a petrol automatic powertrain, with the prices of XLI starting at AED 74,900 and that of the more-premium GLI starting at AED 81,900, making the Corolla a more premium alternative over the Toyota Yaris.

Which is the most value-for-money variant of the Toyota Corolla?

Like in the case of the Yaris, which is also available in two variants, the more desirable variant of the Toyota Corolla is its higher-spec GLI variant. In comparison, the GLI gets some modern features which are considered “must haves” in today’s times. Features like alloy wheels, TFT MID, engine push start-stop button, 60:40 split folding rear seats and some more are being offered in the GLI variant over the XLI variant, making it a more sensible option.

What features does the Toyota Corolla get?

While the Corolla is positioned above the Yaris in Toyota UAE’s lineup, it does feel a bit lower on equipment levels, for this larger and more expensive sedan misses out on a few contemporary features that make it feel a bit dated and pared down. On the outside, both the variants of the Toyota Corolla come equipped with halogen projector headlamps and body-coloured outside rear-view mirrors with integrated turn indicators. Meanwhile, the GLI variant feels more premium in comparison with additional features like 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome-finished door handles, LED tail lamps and front fog lamps.

The cabin of the Toyota Corolla also gets only decent, if not best-in-class, equipment levels, with both XLI and GLI variants having features like manual AC with rear AC vents, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four speakers and steering-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls. In addition to these features, the more premium GLI variant also gets two additional speakers, a voice command button on the steering wheel, a 4.2-inch TFT MID in the instrument console, an engine push start-stop button, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. 

How spacious is it?

While the Toyota Corolla might not impress with its below-average equipment levels for a car of its price, it does impress with the sense of space and comfort it provides, especially at the back. It is one of the very few sedans on sale in the UAE which gets 60:40 split folding rear seats, which maximizes the luggage-carrying capacity of the boot compartment. Also, with a length of 4,630mm and a significant wheelbase of 2,700mm, the Toyota Corolla offers excellent legroom and knee room for the rear seat occupants.

What engine and transmission options are available?

The engine and transmission combination available in both the variants of the Toyota Corolla in the UAE is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox. This petrol engine belts out a maximum power output of 121 bhp, while the peak torque output of this engine is rated at 153 Nm. 

What’s the mileage of the Toyota Corolla?

The fuel efficiency of Corolla, as claimed by Toyota, is 18.2 kmpl for the XLI variant and 17.7 kmpl for the GLI variant, despite both the variants having the same powertrain and same kerb weight of 1,795 kg. 

How safe is the Toyota Corolla?

Both the variants of the Toyota Corolla are evenly matched when it comes to safety features, with the common ones including dual front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill start assist, cruise control, ISOFIX mounts for the child seats, rear fog lamps and reverse parking sensors. The only additional safety features offered in the more premium GLI variant are front fog lamps and a reverse camera. Both the variants miss out on modern ADAS features, which even the more affordable Toyota Yaris gets. 

How many colour options are there?

The XLI and GLI variants of the Toyota Corolla are being offered in four colour options, namely Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Celestite Grey and Platinum White Pearl Mica. 

Should you buy the 2024 Toyota Corolla?

Over the decades, the Toyota Corolla has become a well-established name, for this premium compact sedan has been preferred by many for its ability to run hassle-free for years, making it a bullet-proof reliable car in the long run. The Corolla also excels in offering excellent comfort with its plush seats and soft-tuned suspension setup.

While this twelfth-generation Toyota Corolla continues to excel in reliability and comfort, it lacks the performance and premium equipment levels offered by its direct rivals. In terms of equipment, the Corolla lacks a few features that are offered even in the smaller and relatively less affordable Yaris from one segment below. If you can live with a lack of equipment and desire reliability and comfort of the highest order, the Toyota Corolla remains a safe and trustworthy option. 

What are my alternatives?

Once a popular segment, the premium compact sedan category, in which the Toyota Corolla exists, now has limited options to choose from. The direct rivals of the Toyota Corolla are the Hyundai Elantra, Kia K5, Mazda 3 Sedan, and Renault Megane. The other two competitors, Skoda Octavia and Honda Civic have become much more expensive with their latest updates. 

Other things to consider

While the Toyota Corolla is a reliable and comfortable car by all means, it is a bit lower on desirability, with both the variants lacking equipment level. If you still want a Corolla but with a more premium appeal, the Corolla Hybrid variant, which gets additional tech and features, is the one we recommend. You can also check out the similarly-priced premium compact SUVs.