Toyota Corolla prices jump by thousands

The bad news continues for new-car buyers, as another leading manufacturer adds thousands of dollars to the price tag of its most popular car.

The new updated Corolla is thousands of dollars more expensive than its predecessor. Picture: Supplied.

Toyota has jacked up the price of its popular Corolla hatch and sedan.

The cheapest Ascent Sport model now starts at $28,130 plus on-roads, compared with $23,895 for the previous model.

Part of that circa-$4000 difference can be attributed to Toyota’s decision to drop the manual version of the Ascent Sport. Like for like, the new auto-only Corolla is $2700 more expensive.

The move, which means the Corolla now costs more than $30,000 drive-away, continues the trend by major brands away from affordable city runabouts towards feature-packed but expensive alternatives.

The new Corolla has more equipment – and a price tag to match. Picture: Supplied.

A few years ago, it was possible to pick up a small hatchback from a well known brand for less than $25,000 drive-away. Some were occasionally less than $20,000.

The trend has led to an explosion in sales for cheaper Chinese brands, most notably MG, which sells its MG3 hatch for just $18,990 drive-away.

The price rises for the Corolla are accompanied by new safety equipment and a bump in power for the hybrid models, which now have a more modern lithium-ion battery in lieu of the old nickel metal hydride unit.

Hybrid models have slightly more power. Picture: Supplied.

The new Ascent Sport hybrid is $30,630 plus on-roads, a $3235 hike over the old model.

Combined power output for the hybrid’s 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor is up 13kW to 103kW, courtesy of a new high-output electric motor generator and power control unit.

The new lithium-ion battery is 14 per cent lighter and delivers more input and output power.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is unchanged.

The new Corolla has more safety equipment, although some of it will attract a subscription fee after 12 months of ownership.

The new car can dial an emergency call centre if it detects a collision or airbag deployment. A roof-mounted SOS button can send details of the car’s whereabouts to first responders.

The technology can also help to find a vehicle if it is stolen and remotely lock the car, start the ignition and activate the horn or hazard lights.

There’s a new centre screen and advanced safety tech. Picture: Supplied.

The car’s driver assistance tech has been upgraded, adding motorcyclist detection and intersection collision avoidance to the auto emergency braking function. Emergency steering assist is now standard, while blind-spot monitoring has been added across the hatch range.

The car can also slow to a gradual stop if it detects the driver is no longer making inputs to the steering wheel.

Inside the cabin, a new 8.0-inch touchscreen promises “improved definition and usability”, while digital radio and an extra USB-C port have been added.

There is a new 7.0-inch digital display in front of the driver on Ascent Sport hatch models, while hybrid versions now have satellite navigation.

The top-of-the-range ZR models gain a sunroof and a 12.3-inch digital driver display, but now cost more than $40,000 for hybrid versions.

Originally published as Toyota Corolla prices jump by thousands