Enthusiasts may be all over the Toyota GR Supra that was just launched last night, but there’s another Toyota that is far more important waiting in the wings – the 2019 Toyota Corolla. Local distributor UMW Toyota Motor released full details and estimated pricing for the 12th-generation C-segment sedan last week, and now it has begun displaying the car in showrooms, so we went over for a sneak peek.
First up, let’s run over how much this car is expected to cost. Just two variants will be offered at launch, with the 1.8E estimated to retail at RM128,888 and this, the 1.8G, set to be priced at RM136,888. That’s quite a hike from the RM120,000 and RM123,000 respectively of the current variants (there’s also a RM138,000 2.0V, but it will be discontinued on the new model), but there’s quite a spec bump to go with it.
Before that, however, let’s go over the new stuff. Fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand, the new Corolla rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) already found on the new Camry and C-HR. Despite this, the wheelbase stays the same at 2,700 mm long, even though the car itself is now 10 mm longer (4,630 mm), five millimetres wider (1,780 mm) and 45 mm lower (1,435 mm) than before.
As we’ve previously reported, the Corolla sedan for the ASEAN market essentially takes after the international version, with a more conventional and less overtly sporty design compared to the one sold exclusively in the United States. By no means does this car look boring, however, as the styling is quite a bit more aggressive than the outgoing model, dominated by a massive lower grille.
Contributing to the sharp look are the slim headlights and upper grille, along with the chrome-trimmed slits that sit at the corners of the front bumper. At the rear, you’ll find two-piece tail lights joined by a chrome strip, as well as C-shaped contours in the bumper that mirror the front slits. As you can see, this car still wears the Altis badge (even on the model plates), despite the fact that local marketing materials will omit this name.
The interior is again derived from other Corolla models sold elsewhere, with a layered dashboard design and a freestanding head unit. Toyota claims perceived quality has been improved, with more consistent and better-looking materials, tighter panel gaps and improved sound insulation, along with redesigned seats, a more effective air-conditioning system (with rear vents) and increased outward visibility.
Toyota is offering the Corolla with just one engine option over here, and it’s the familiar 2ZR-FE 1.8 litre naturally-aspirated Dual VVT-i four-cylinder petrol engine, making 139 PS at 6,000 rpm and 172 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. As before, it is mated to a CVT with a Shiftmatic mode with seven virtual ratios. Under the skin, the tweaked suspension now features a double wishbone setup at the rear, instead of the old torsion beam.
Standard kit includes automatic halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights and tail lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, an acoustic glass windscreen, solar and security window tinting, single-zone auto climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, fabric upholstery, a DVD infotainment system with a 6.8-inch touchscreen, six speakers and a portable tyre pump.
The 1.8G steps it up with full LED headlights, a wing mirror tilting function in reverse, auto wipers, dual-zone climate control, an Optitron instrument cluster with a seven-inch TFT LCD display, leather upholstery, a rear windscreen sunshade, Qi wireless smartphone charging and an electronic parking brake. It is also fitted with 17-inch two-tone alloys, with a design that’s similar (but not identical) to the previous pre-facelifted 2.0V.
Safety-wise, all models get seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), hill start assist, rear ISOFIX child seat mounts and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The 1.8G, however, receives the full Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assists, including autonomous emergency braking, all-speed adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane tracing assist, blind spot monitoring and auto high beam.
The top-spec model also gets a “3D” 360-degree camera system and front and rear dash cams, items that are optional on the 1.8E (RM2,700 and RM1,100 respectively). Also offered as an option is a RM1,700 vehicle telematics system, which includes a two-year subscription worth RM250 a year.
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Super Value. Toyota’s 86 set up. Front McPherson Rear Double Wishbone. Bonus is the wider interior and good legroom. Lower seat height. 500mm wading depth thanks to high engine air intake. 225/45 can matched CX5 and BMW330iM tire width.
Finally a car better than perodua ASA 2.0.
added millimetre Radar. Autonomous EBrake excellent. Adaptive cruise control 0to180km/h with auto stopGo.
Proton X70 full spec also very good.
Got 30to150 adaptive cruise control thanks to radar.
Civic sensing also ok. Use the camera not so accurate and full speed range. we are moving forward.
Po Po what talking you? Mumbling to yourself again?
No turbo as expected
that the worst engine bay in modern automotive lulz
is it 90s datsun engine bay ?
optitron display ? what year is it. in US corolla got tft lcd display.
rear double wishbone? others C segment already implemented it years ago bruhh
1985 Brand New Toyota Corolla in Malaysia was RM20k.
2019 Brand New Toyota Corolla in Malaysia is RM137k
Prices have jumped 700%
But in Japan, from 1985 to 2019, Japanese Toyota Corolla prices have gone up only 50%
Summary:
Japan – 1985 to 2019 go up 50%
Malaysia – 1985 to 2019 go up 700%
1985 graduate salary in Malaysia was around RM2-3k
2019 graduate salary in Malaysia is around RM2-3k
Price never changed. Welcome to Boleh land.
The Proton X70 is the reason Toyota & Honda are offering advanced safety suite in this price bracket.
Just look at previous UMW Toyota models safety package, you’ll know what I mean.
So it’s not a “moving forward” decision, more like being “dragged in”.
Totally agree with you.
Chinese made Geely Proton x70 giving Malaysia better value SUV. Pretty comprehensive standard for only the highest spec.
Jepunis Honda have not learnt. full spec HR-V RM 125k only comparable to low spec Geely Proton X70/Rush safety features.
even Jepunis Toyota Rush has Autonmous E.Brake, Rear cross traffic alert, Pre-collision warning, Pedal Misoperation Control.
The display screen is really “big”. The frame is so THICK.
So expensive and can they assure that their airbag is safe or just taking the risk on their Customer?
1. Honda Civic – tip-top condition, cheaper
2. Toyota Corolla – tip-top condition, expensive than civic
3. Mazda 3 – bad condition, expensive than corolla and civic
Civic – turbo engine wt torquey motor pulling from low rev, make for effortless city driving…value for money, civic win…plus lower road tax ie 1.5 liter
Toyota Japan should give the dealership from UMW to Tan Chong in Malaysia. Let Tan Chong me the oficial distributor for Toyota in Malaysia
You will see sales skyrocket because Tan Chong will sell the Corolla for RM90k.
No point giving to a lembap GLC
2019 KIA Cerato not to be missed
Have u ever test drive mazda car before? Or even the new mazda 3? Dun blindly comment mazda 3 having bad condition becoz of its price.
try to sit @ second rows.
Torsion beam make u feel like sitting in a RM75k Mazda2 instead of RM150k C-segment.
They included Toyota’s “no acceleration”(R) safety feature too?
Why Thailand and Indonesia getting newer 2ZR-FBE but we still getting 2ZR-FE engine. So Malaysian are water fish?
2ZR-FBE is simply the flex-fuel version of the 2ZR-FE, capable of running E85 petrol on sale in Thailand. Indonesia uses the same 2ZR-FE as Malaysia.
Just forget about this stupid & overpriced Corolla from the crap company called Toyota !
I’m very curios.. you can mention about flec fuel but scared to said 2ZR-FBE is VALVEMATIC ENGINE same as our CHR..
As far as i know, this old engine has been used since 2001. And it is without the valvematic that will improve FC by 15% and increase power by 10%. Still, Why are we not getting the new engine such as 2ZR-FAE? FBE is just the tuned engine from FAE. Still, we are not getting valvematic….Why?
2zr-fbe got valvematic. 2zr-fe got?
60 years of corruption has made our Ringgit so low that The Corolla has gone up in price so much…..
Then why you tell us to cukur in bringing the same 60 years corrupted politicians back into the game? Ady gotten rid of them, now they are back no thanks to PH.
Fake name detected. :) Likewise.
2ZR-FBE runs on alcohol, therefore it’s haram.
Nothing attractive about its design, looks like it came from the previous decade.
especially the head unit, looks so boring… even rims also looks like left over from previous generation bad sales Altis.
Meanwhile hybrid tarak. At that kind of prices, it’s dead before arrival.
Why Thailand spec rear suspension is Double wishbone and come to Malaysia become multi link?
It is double wishbones, sorry for the error. The article has been amended.
1. Honda Civic TCP
2. Mazda3 HP
3. Toyota Corolla G
Look at the huge acres of bezel spaces around the dinky HU screen. Really lives up to its TNGA; Toyota Not Good Ah?
that cheap headunit. seriously umw??
People will buy this either Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic than Mazda 3. More safer and good services for both UMW and Honda Malaysia than Mazda Malaysia
Multi link and double wishbone is 2 different appliance
The whole interior is such a shit… No soul at all… Feel like puking
I get ur feeling!!! Before i know the selling price, I had rule out this corolla because of the ugly interior dashboard design. Side view is even worst intell u! C segment gv alike B segment interior. Now i get to know the selling price, i cant stop laughing…. only 1.8 need rm136k, honda salesman again will complain work like hell due to overwhelming respond for civic again and again…
Wtf wrong with toyota…that ugly small hu screen with massive bezel
Even proton n perodua have better looking one
Only Malaysia got that big bezel. Original one looks nice, think UMW took it off to earn more profit.
Yeah that HU really spoil the whole interior design. like after market from brothers … Worst is you have to look at it everyday when u drive..
138k but halogen headlights….. No No No…..
Not too shabby , full specs has everything and that will find a fee homes, in the interior is bette than the civics, but civic is cheaper, a newer powertrain and an interesting design, tho its not for everyone
The Civic 1.5T will eat this 1.8 NA for breakfast. Quality is subjective. To me Toyota design is still boring.
Corolla used to be a 70k car in the 90s … 140k was BMW 3 series … Ringgit soon Rupiah
What a cutey “LCD screen” on the dash, for a 140k car. I guess UMW is becoming stingy these days.
The fake front/side vents at the bumper are all for show-and-no-go.
the price shud not have exceeded 130k…
Did I read it correctly?
It says CBU from Thailand
Toyota Malaysia changed their Camry and now Corolla to CBU instead of CKD previously.
Still using that ANCIENT 1.8-litre engine! Disgusting.
Still thinking this over later facelift civic. But after i saw the head unit, damn it, civic it is.
G8. It really look like the old television
The center HU, its just like u bought a 60inch tv but display appears only like a 32inch tv
OMG all new car prices are getting ridiculously expensive …. or our MYR is getting weaker or AP rent seeking ?
HU look weird…
Most jipun cars getting more ex, and contis getting cheaper, good
Ewwww look at that sorry looking head unit and with that kind of price, expect sales to go to the Civic
engine is a let down, but from just how many water fish buy the chr…nothing is impossible now
I seriously think it wont sell well as for 130k people can buy the civic and for around 140k can get the crv so who would want to consider a NA 1.8 ?? perhaps some uncle and aunty who want a toyota reliability factor
too expensive and cannot sell. with current price hike in the corolla and mazda3, this makes the civic the cheapest in its segment and the most powerful. the civic will continue to garner more sales than ever.
and now honda salesmen will breathe a sigh of relief upon reading/seeing the spec sheet
Don’t know how they really justified…. 1.8 but the prices of the 2.0 from the pass.
UMW u suck… All over the world they getting the hybrid Camry, hybrid corrola, hybrid Chr…. But Malaysia get the ancient 1.8 engine. And with the hike up price.
That center display unit is atrocious looking
I am a guy who looks at interior first. This car fails me
Buy Preve better! Ops.. Preve discontinue meh?
That high end HU is at least costing RM10k…
OMG, look at the thickness of the infotainment screen bezel!
All planned. In 2022, the facelift (or earlier if cannot sell) version will have a full screen one, wider for “better system communication with the driver”. Marketing 101.
Welcome to Malaysia Baru, where car prices are higher due to new hidden taxes and poor ringgit.
Thanks but no thanks you lousy Finance Minister.
Our currency is heading to Zimbabwe dollar, thanks to LGE.
still civic is the best in term of power and spacious, but this altis’s exterior look better than civic.
For an expensive car in the C segment, the interior is surprising very bland and devoid of accessories and equipment, compared to say, Honda Civic. Not to mention the interior looks very conservative.
Unlike the exterior, it looked sporty and elegant.
It would seem the Design team have different themes for the exterior and the interior.
This car couldn’t give a confident that it’ll be a solid car. More I compare the exterior, more I got the impression that it’s thin, maybe to reduce weight or maybe cost reduction. Interior design is lame. Not sure if Toyota wants it minimal or just copy and paste…