Driven: Toyota’s Corolla sedan kicks off from $20,740
BY BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS | 18th Feb 2014
Kicking off from $20,740 plus on-road costs for the Ascent manual, the 11th-generation four-door small car commands a $750 premium despite being sourced from Thailand – which has a free trade agreement with Australia – rather than Japan, which doesn’t.
Sourcing the Corolla wearing a boot from Thailand had prompted speculation that the base Corolla Sedan would start from less than $20,000.
However, Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb, said a decision was made to add more standard features such as a reverse camera, rear parking sensors and a 6.1-inch touchscreen multimedia interface to the newcomer.
The result, he says, is an equipment upgrade of about $2000 in value compared with the outgoing model.
Toyota also said the Corolla sedan was $250 cheaper than when its predecessor was launched in 2007 – and that’s before a 21 percent rise in the Consumer Price Index was factored in.
Meanwhile, the mid-range Corolla SX – which replaces the old Ascent Sport and Conquest nomenclature – starts from $22,990 plus on-road costs.
While that puts it at $500 more than the former, Toyota said it represented a $1500 saving compared with the preceding Conquest. Similarly, the latter cost $2510 more than the new SX when released seven years ago.
Both these prices are for models equipped with a standard six-speed manual gearbox. Upgrading to the new continuously variable transmission with seven pre-set ratios adds $2250.
Finally the CVT-only ZR flagship starts from $30,990 plus on-road costs – $1000 less than its now-discontinued Ultima equivalent.
These prices are for the flat white paint only. Adding metallic/premium paint adds $450.
Toyota’s capped price servicing remains at $130 per visit, set at six-month intervals.
This is the first time Toyota has offered a Thai-built passenger car in this country.
| 2014 Toyota Corolla sedan pricing* | |
| 1.8L Ascent | $20,740 |
| 1.8L Ascent (a) | $22,990 |
| 1.8L SX | $22,990 |
| 1.8L SX (a) | $25,240 |
| 1.8L ZR (a) | $30,990 |
