Toyota hikes Corolla price by up to $1765

TOYOTA Australia has increased prices on all Corolla hatch variants in return for the model year 2020 technology and equipment upgrades that will arrive in local showrooms from November 1.

Ascent Sport variants now start from $23,335 plus on-roads for the petrol manual, a $465 price increase that has been applied to automatic petrol and hybrid Ascent Sports.

Even steeper price hikes of $1365 and $1765 have been applied to the mid-spec SX and flagship ZR respectively, resulting in the Corolla hatch range now topping out at $33,635.

As reported, all Corolla variants gain Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, while the SX and ZR add rear cross-traffic alert to the existing blind-spot monitoring system, which alerts the driver using audible warnings with flashing lights in the mirrors and graphics overlaid to the reversing camera image.

The low-speed ‘parking support brake’ function also added to SX and ZR variants can sense static obstacles and operates while manoeuvring at up to 15km/h. This three-stage system audibly and visually warns the driver of obstacles before reducing accelerator response and ultimately applying the brakes if the driver still fails to respond manually.

Eight-way electric adjustment and lumbar support has also been added to the driver's seat of ZR variants that now have the option of contrasting black paint to the roof, pillars and spoiler.

This two-tone combination costs $450 on top of the $450 charged for the premium paint finishes it can be paired with, comprising Crystal Pearl, Volcanic Red, Oxide Bronze, Silver Pearl and Eclectic Blue as well as the new Feverish Red metallic that will also be available as a single-tone option on lower-spec Corollas.

Helping address the Corolla’s paltry 217 litres of boot space, a puncture repair kit is offered on Ascent Sport variants to replace of the standard full-size spare as a no-cost option, providing an extra 116 litres of cargo volume.

Corolla customers seeking additional luggage capacity will welcome the arrival of the sedan and its more generous 471L boot to Australian shores in late November.

2019 Toyota Corolla hatch pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs