The Corolla nameplate needs no introduction, really. Known here as the Toyota Corolla Altis, the once dominant C-segment sedan is now hugely trailing in popularity ever since the groundbreaking 10th generation Honda Civic arrived in Malaysia. Launched globally just months ago, UMW Toyota Motors is finally teasing the car on their website.
Just like before, the 11th generation Corolla Altis will be offered in three variants – 1.8E, 1.8G and 2.0V. As predicted, no mechanical changes have been made in this refresh exercise. While the engine and transmissions (a “seven-speed” CVT) remain the same, the Altis benefits from a new set of suspension which will help improve ride.
The aesthetic enhancements are really subtle to say the least, but these are welcoming – if a tad underwhelming – revisions that are both timely and sorely needed. At the front, the grille and bumper are all new, as are the headlamps. As with the pre-facelift edition, the 2.0V gets auto levelling full LED headlamps.
New to the car is also the wheel design; the 1.8-litre variants settle for 16-inch rims, whereas the 2.0V will sit on larger 17-inch hoops. The LED tail lamps on the other hand, are very slightly different. The housing remains the same, just that the graphics differ. There are also fog lamps at the back now. A total of six exterior colours will be offered with the car.
In similar fashion to the updated Vios, the Altis now gets Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control and seven airbags (Driver, Passenger, Curtain, Side and Driver Knee) across all variants, as standard. Previously, VSC was reserved only for the range topper, while the seven airbag package was a cost option. Yup.
The order books for the facelifted Corolla Altis are now open, with pricing for the 1.8E beginning at RM120,900.00, which is the same as before. The mid-spec 1.8G is priced at RM123,900.00.
The best value goes to the 2.0V, with an asking price of RM138,900.00, making it RM8,000 cheaper than the original RM146,900.00 price tag of the pre-facelift version. It’s probably going to take a whole lot more for the Altis to go against the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Jetta, but maybe Toyota is saving the best for the next generation Altis. Let this fight be its last, because the next bout will be hot!
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