2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (aka Auris) Review - First Drive
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
syncro87
I had to stop by my local Toyota dealer today to get some touch up paint. Corolla hatch in the showroom. I was pretty excited about this car. less so now. Im 510. When the front seat is adjusted for me, rear legroom is tight. Add to this the high belt line and relatively small window glass. pretty claustrophobic back there. The front seats seem pretty comfy, but are bulky in design and take up a lot of interior space. For someone that almost never hauls anyone in the rear, seems like a good choice. Seems to have the same penalty box rear seating area that the Focus hatch and Mazda3 hatch have. If you can deal with that, no issue I guess. But overall, the interior felt, even in front, surprisingly tight. Many other cars that are of similar size have better interior space utilization. The cargo area also seemed pretty small. Anyway, still interested due to the rev matching manual availability, but the space optimization in the cabin seemed poor. Basically, this is the opposite of something like the Honda Fit. The Fit looks tiny outside, and is amazingly roomy inside. The Corolla hatch doesnt look that small outside, but the interior space seems from a car a class smaller. For comparison, the Civic hatch feels lots roomier inside, and has a vastly more usable cargo area.
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I had to stop by my local Toyota dealer today to get some touch up paint. Corolla hatch in the showroom. I was pretty excited about this car. less so now. Im 510. When the front seat is adjusted for me, rear legroom is tight. Add to this the high belt line and relatively small window glass. pretty claustrophobic back there. The front seats seem pretty comfy, but are bulky in design and take up a lot of interior space. For someone that almost never hauls anyone in the rear, seems like a good choice. Seems to have the same penalty box rear seating area that the Focus hatch and Mazda3 hatch have. If you can deal with that, no issue I guess. But overall, the interior felt, even in front, surprisingly tight. Many other cars that are of similar size have better interior space utilization. The cargo area also seemed pretty small. Anyway, still interested due to the rev matching manual availability, but the space optimization in the cabin seemed poor. Basically, this is the opposite of something like the Honda Fit. The Fit looks tiny outside, and is amazingly roomy inside. The Corolla hatch doesnt look that small outside, but the interior space seems from a car a class smaller. For comparison, the Civic hatch feels lots roomier inside, and has a vastly more usable cargo area.
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Joseph G
Looking good I really like that front end and the new CVT is a brilliant design. I wish they would offer the hybridized version for the US market like they offer in Japan and Europe. Same as the Honda Fit hybrid, we dont get the nice things here in the US. With the Camry hybrid, we know Toyota can make a peppy hybrid and with the Prius One and Ioniq priced aggressively and the price of batteries continuing to fall, this car wont actually make economic sense if it is priced around 19k with automatic transmission for drivers with modest to moderate commutes. I frankly miss the cruise-control stick. When I first got into a Toyota, I kept hitting the windshield wipers, but since Ive gotten used to it I cant stand fumbling for buttons on the steering wheel. I know it looks lame, but its just a more functional design. P. S. Alex, will you be looking at the Insight in the near future? I really enjoy watching your reviews and am looking forward to that car.
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Looking good I really like that front end and the new CVT is a brilliant design. I wish they would offer the hybridized version for the US market like they offer in Japan and Europe. Same as the Honda Fit hybrid, we dont get the nice things here in the US. With the Camry hybrid, we know Toyota can make a peppy hybrid and with the Prius One and Ioniq priced aggressively and the price of batteries continuing to fall, this car wont actually make economic sense if it is priced around 19k with automatic transmission for drivers with modest to moderate commutes. I frankly miss the cruise-control stick. When I first got into a Toyota, I kept hitting the windshield wipers, but since Ive gotten used to it I cant stand fumbling for buttons on the steering wheel. I know it looks lame, but its just a more functional design. P. S. Alex, will you be looking at the Insight in the near future? I really enjoy watching your reviews and am looking forward to that car.
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Thomas McDowell
I liked so many things about this car that I had it on my short list of cars to buy. The major issue that killed it was the lack of cargo space. It is much smaller than a Hyundai Accent hatch which I was hoping to replace with a bigger hatch. Please do not use the advertised figures of 17. 8 cu ft of cargo space because that must be measured taking out the hatch cover and filling it to the top (up against the rear window. This is not only unsafe but an invitation for someone to break into your car on a trip. I do not know why many reviewers use these inflated cargo figures and I am not talking about the numbers they use when you fold down the rear seat. When you review the car again, compare it to a trunk on the Yaris iA or a Corolla sedan. Except for the pitiful cargo space and lack of Android auto, this might have been my next car.
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I liked so many things about this car that I had it on my short list of cars to buy. The major issue that killed it was the lack of cargo space. It is much smaller than a Hyundai Accent hatch which I was hoping to replace with a bigger hatch. Please do not use the advertised figures of 17. 8 cu ft of cargo space because that must be measured taking out the hatch cover and filling it to the top (up against the rear window. This is not only unsafe but an invitation for someone to break into your car on a trip. I do not know why many reviewers use these inflated cargo figures and I am not talking about the numbers they use when you fold down the rear seat. When you review the car again, compare it to a trunk on the Yaris iA or a Corolla sedan. Except for the pitiful cargo space and lack of Android auto, this might have been my next car.
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mountainhobo
14: 47 Here is the effect of the pointless center console dividers on smaller cars (even midsize like Camry) observe how close Alexs right thigh is to the steering wheel. If you wanted to have a solid two handed purchase on the steering wheel and make a deep, smooth right turn, you cant. You would have to release your right hand because your knuckles wouldnt fit between the steering wheel and your thigh because your right knee has no place to go. I am 63, and I run into this problem all the time. It is infuriating that modern designers sacrifice drivers safety for the idiotic pretense of a cockpit. I wish reviewers would talk about ergonomics a little more.
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14: 47 Here is the effect of the pointless center console dividers on smaller cars (even midsize like Camry) observe how close Alexs right thigh is to the steering wheel. If you wanted to have a solid two handed purchase on the steering wheel and make a deep, smooth right turn, you cant. You would have to release your right hand because your knuckles wouldnt fit between the steering wheel and your thigh because your right knee has no place to go. I am 63, and I run into this problem all the time. It is infuriating that modern designers sacrifice drivers safety for the idiotic pretense of a cockpit. I wish reviewers would talk about ergonomics a little more.
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Elon Y. Kim
I do see lots of influence from Mazda in this car, especially the rear design if Im not mistaken. As all know, Toyotas 2. 0 Litter Engine has always been reliable, but weak. The jump on the performance might have been from high pressure ratio which Mazda is well known for (This is also my guess - anybody knows for sure. If this car drives like a Mazda or in an equally decent level, Toyota can capture even more market share, which is detrimental to other Asian competitors. Toyota has been behind in terms of new car technologies and driving dynamics. I hope from now on Toyota will raise the bar in the entire industry.
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I do see lots of influence from Mazda in this car, especially the rear design if Im not mistaken. As all know, Toyotas 2. 0 Litter Engine has always been reliable, but weak. The jump on the performance might have been from high pressure ratio which Mazda is well known for (This is also my guess - anybody knows for sure. If this car drives like a Mazda or in an equally decent level, Toyota can capture even more market share, which is detrimental to other Asian competitors. Toyota has been behind in terms of new car technologies and driving dynamics. I hope from now on Toyota will raise the bar in the entire industry.
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Paul Yuen
Theres so many things I like about the Corolla hatch I will definitely buy one when it hits the market. One thing I noticed is the 2-piece front fenders. Some might not like the gap in between but I personally prefer that over the one-piece design since it is easier to repair/replace. I also would not mind the tailgate made out of composite material, as its a Toyota I have faith in their safety standards. Composite resin is also less prone to deform than sheet metal I think? Thanks Alex for bringing us this great and informative preview. Cant wait for an in-depth review in your home turf.
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Theres so many things I like about the Corolla hatch I will definitely buy one when it hits the market. One thing I noticed is the 2-piece front fenders. Some might not like the gap in between but I personally prefer that over the one-piece design since it is easier to repair/replace. I also would not mind the tailgate made out of composite material, as its a Toyota I have faith in their safety standards. Composite resin is also less prone to deform than sheet metal I think? Thanks Alex for bringing us this great and informative preview. Cant wait for an in-depth review in your home turf.
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Gravecb7 Accord
Im not into Hatchbacks but I do have a 2010 Corolla XRS with a 5 Speed Manual Transmission and I love it alot I want to keep it for a very long time its got Heated Black leather seats Power Sunroof power locks and power windows with the oem trunk spoiler and oem fog lights Magnetic Gray Metallic Im modifying mine for a street modified aggressive Stance look and performance Im curious to see what the 2019 Corolla Sudan looks like Toyota should bring back the Corolla Coupe and Wagon with a Rwd Drivetrain they the sales would be the highest and best selling top 10 for 2019
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Im not into Hatchbacks but I do have a 2010 Corolla XRS with a 5 Speed Manual Transmission and I love it alot I want to keep it for a very long time its got Heated Black leather seats Power Sunroof power locks and power windows with the oem trunk spoiler and oem fog lights Magnetic Gray Metallic Im modifying mine for a street modified aggressive Stance look and performance Im curious to see what the 2019 Corolla Sudan looks like Toyota should bring back the Corolla Coupe and Wagon with a Rwd Drivetrain they the sales would be the highest and best selling top 10 for 2019
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Matt Clark
As I watch your part on the active cruise control with manual transmission, admittedly I think, normal cruise control with a manual transmission is much the same, minus the rev matching and extra little help. My CC systems with manuals have always just gone to coast when I put in the clutch and given me control of the gear change, and then resumed when the clutch was back in. Makes sense the active system would carry on that standard. My friends 2016 VW GTI with Radar Cruise doesnt cancel on gear changes either.
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As I watch your part on the active cruise control with manual transmission, admittedly I think, normal cruise control with a manual transmission is much the same, minus the rev matching and extra little help. My CC systems with manuals have always just gone to coast when I put in the clutch and given me control of the gear change, and then resumed when the clutch was back in. Makes sense the active system would carry on that standard. My friends 2016 VW GTI with Radar Cruise doesnt cancel on gear changes either.
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Olhos Verdes
alexonautos Im considering buying one of these this week, so am super eager for your full review of this car. When may that be coming out? I place tremendous weight on your reviews, so would love to hear you deepen the details & overall assessment of this car. In this video, you did not comment on cargo space, which is an area where this hatch tends to falls short. Any chance your full review is about to release?
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alexonautos Im considering buying one of these this week, so am super eager for your full review of this car. When may that be coming out? I place tremendous weight on your reviews, so would love to hear you deepen the details & overall assessment of this car. In this video, you did not comment on cargo space, which is an area where this hatch tends to falls short. Any chance your full review is about to release?
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Tom Chan
U did not mentioned this car is Made In Japan. A big plus for many buyers. I would assume the base model would be about the same price as the IM and higher models would be 1. 5 to 3 grand more. I drove the IM for many months. The handling is so smooth and cornering is great. I am happy to see Toyota has raised the game for this hatchback. Many younger buyers would certainly consider this vehicle.
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U did not mentioned this car is Made In Japan. A big plus for many buyers. I would assume the base model would be about the same price as the IM and higher models would be 1. 5 to 3 grand more. I drove the IM for many months. The handling is so smooth and cornering is great. I am happy to see Toyota has raised the game for this hatchback. Many younger buyers would certainly consider this vehicle.
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