Four years ago, the 12th generation Corolla entered the European market introducing several innovations compared to its predecessor, and not only reclaimed its Corolla name formerly known as the Auris for all body types, including the four-door sedan. For example, it was based on the lighter and better-handling TNGA platform and had eliminated diesel engines from the motor options, which previously offered three different types.

In return, a new two-liter hybrid was introduced that provided significantly more lively performance than the reliable, but less powerful 1.8-liter engine, while maintaining low fuel consumption. Today, it's clear that the global market has embraced the 12th generation Corolla: selling over a million units each year, it was considered the world's most popular car model until 2023, when only the Tesla Model Y managed to surpass its sales.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The 2023 model received its mid-cycle update, which Toyota did not take lightly despite minimal external changes. There is a new pattern to the front bumper grille, a small chrome embellishment on the fog lamp housing, and adjustments to the integrated LED daytime running light pattern in the headlights.

I was glad that the external design was not significantly altered, as the Corolla's design has been quite distinctive, a trait that perhaps goes unnoticed simply because there are so many on the roads. The test vehicle came in the second-highest trim level, the GR Sport Dynamic JBL, featuring unique bumpers front and back, a black-painted roof, and ten-spoked, 18-inch alloy wheels.

WHAT'S IT LIKE INSIDE?

Inside, the changes weren't dramatic either: three-dimensional patterns improved the tactile feel of the upholstery and surfaces, but the quality and design levels still fell short compared to the Mazda3 or Honda Civic, even though the materials in the Corolla are mostly of high quality and assembly issues were non-existent. However, it wasn't the simple and emotionless interior that was the Corolla's biggest flaw, but rather the slow and cumbersome infotainment system, which Toyota has now improved based on customer feedback.

While the lower trims still come with an 8-inch touchscreen, the advanced hardware and rationalized menu structure speed up operation even on these, and finally, there are online updates, cloud-based navigation (with a free four-year subscription), and a voice-controlled digital assistant that can even roll down the windows upon request.

The higher-tier Corollas including the test car have seen even greater advancements, as they've been fitted with the Smart Connect+ system and associated 10.5-inch touchscreen transferred from the bZ4X electric vehicle, which is not only larger and higher resolution than before but also sleeker as the unsightly physical buttons have been removed from the sides. Its navigation is more advanced with warnings for fixed speed cameras and special weather conditions. However, a down-point is that Android Auto still only works with a cable, and the backup camera image remains low-resolution, with guiding lines that do not follow steering wheel movement.

From the mid-trim levels, the previously analog instrument cluster transforms into a 12.3-inch screen, capable of displaying four different graphics and a plethora of data, from hybrid system energy flow to the real-time functioning of driving support systems. Regrettably, even after a week of use, navigating this screen with the steering wheel buttons was quite difficult for me, and I found it nearly impossible to make any adjustments while driving without it significantly distracting me from the road.

SPORTY DETAILS COURTESY OF THE GAZOO RACING DIVISION

A major benefit of the GR Sport package is the inclusion of visually striking, supportive, and comfortable sport seats which can be adjusted to a low position. They are embellished with embossed GR logos and metal inserts, as well as a full leather and Alcantara upholstery. The GR logo is also found on the start button, but I was even more pleased with the perfect-thickness, good-grip, perforated leather-covered sport steering wheel included in the package, which is angled well and offers a wide range of adjustments for distance.

Another significant drawback of the 12th generation Corolla, apart from the weak infotainment system, was the cramped rear seats. Two average-height adults could not comfortably sit one behind the other, and the rear door opening was not very large. This issue has not changed with the model update, but fortunately, it is only characteristic of the five-door hatchback version. The present test subject, the station wagon (Touring Sports), and the four-door sedan are much better in this regard, as their wheelbase is 6 centimeters longer space that has been used to extend the rear legroom.

Naturally, another advantage of the wagon is the large, 596-liter trunk, which surpasses the sedan by 125 liters and the hatchback by 235 liters it's no wonder that taxi drivers choose this variant without exception. A minor flaw is that the two-liter versions feature a trunk that is 15 liters smaller, due to a crammed engine compartment requiring the placement of the 12-volt battery under the trunk floor.