Review: Toyota E170 Corolla sedan (2013-19)

Review: Toyota E170.I Corolla sedan (2013-16)

Overview

Released in December 2013, the Toyota E170 Series I E170.I) Corolla was a small, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Chachoengsao, Thailand, the Toyota Corolla sedan was powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and available in Ascent, SX and ZR variants.

2ZR-FE engine

The 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had an alloy block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (Toyota’s ‘dual VVT-i’), an acoustic-controlled variable induction system (ACIS) and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

Transmissions

The 2ZR-FE engine was mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (Toyota’s K313 ‘MultiDrive S-CVT’). The CVT featured a torque converter to overcome the slipping effect commonly associated with CVTs and seven pre-defined ratios for sequential gearshifts when the Sport mode was activated.

Dimensions

Compared to the Toyota E150 Corolla , the E170 Corolla sedan was 80 mm longer (at 4620 mm), 15 mm wider (1776 mm), 15 mm lower (1460 mm) and had a 100 mm longer wheelbase (2700 mm). Furthermore, boot capacity was 470 litres, while the drag coefficient was 0.30 Cd.

Steering and suspension

The Toyota E170 Corolla sedan had electric power-assisted steering, MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Toyota Corolla sedan included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Toyota E170 Corolla sedan had 275 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs with floating calipers and 259 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs.

ANCAP and Euro NCAP testing

In ANCAP crash testing , the Toyota E170 Corolla sedan received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.88 out of 37. In the offset crash, protection of the driver’s heads and upper legs were assessed as good, though chest, lower leg and foot protection were rated as acceptable. Maximum points, however, were awarded in the side impact test.

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2013 Corolla sedan received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 82 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Features: Corolla Ascent, SX and ZR

Standard features for the Corolla Ascent sedan included 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65 R15 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod/3.5 mm) and a 6.1-inch LCD touch screen, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a 12 volt power socket, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Corolla SX was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, voice recognition for the sound system, front fog lights, front parking sensors, keyless entry (i.e. proximity key), push-button start and Optitron instrumentation. Furthermore, both SX and ZR variants were fitted with the ‘Toyota Link’ multimedia system which had a function and utilised compatible iPhone and Android smartphones to access applications for information such as local businesses (Local Search), petrol stations (Fuel Finder), weather updates and the Toyota Link call centre (Toyota Help).

Finally, the Corolla ZR was differentiated by its climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation, leather seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, LED headlights, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, steering wheel gearshift paddles, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, sound-insulating ‘acoustic’ windscreen and an alarm system.

Brochure

• Brochure: Toyota E180 Corolla hatch and E170 Corolla sedan (June 2014)

Related links

• Press Kit: Toyota E180 Corolla Sedan (February 2014)

Review: Toyota E170.II Corolla sedan (2016-19)

Overview

Commencing production in November 2016 and released in Australia in January 2017, the Toyota E170 Series II (E170.II) Corolla sedan introduced powertrain revisions, suspension enhancements and improved sound insulation. Visually, the Toyota E170.II Corolla could be identified by its new bumper, larger lower grille, new headlamp clusters with LED clearance lamps, chrome rear garnish and LED tail lamps that would automatically flash during emergency braking. Inside, the updated instrument panel had a layered structure that was designed to hide joins, a redesigned climate control panel, circular air vents, a ‘piano black’ centre-cluster surround and chrome-plated instrumentation.

For the Toyota E170.II Corolla, powertrain changes included:

• Revised electronic throttle control settings and torque converter programming for more linear acceleration from rest;
• Revised torque converter programming for faster and less obtrusive gearshifts. In Sport mode, for example, the shift control logic would consider G forces during cornering and maintain engine speed by restricting unnecessary gear changes;
• A new oil temperature sensor for improved fuel economy and control of the variable valve timing system; and,
• Voltage adjustments for the electric fan for a better balance between coolant temperature and power consumption.

To reduce interior noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), changes included the introduction of beading on the front bumper liner to reduce turbulence inside the wheel housing, a thicker inner silencer for the dashboard panel and denser floor insulation.

Suspension

For the Toyota E170.II Corolla, the following changes were introduced for the suspension:

• Larger diameter shock absorbers – front and rear – for improved ride comfort;
• Greater mounting rigidity for the upper body and suspension; and,
• An additional rear damper bush for improved handling performance.

Safety equipment

For the Toyota E170.II Corolla ZR, standard safety equipment was extended to include:

• Toyota’s Pre-collision Safety System (PCS): used a millimetre-wave radar in the grille to detect the distance and relative speed of the vehicle ahead. Initially, a warning tone would sound to alert the driver of a possible collision. In its secondary stage, the system increased braking assistance for faster response. If the driver failed to respond, the system would automatically apply the brakes to reduce vehicle speed and pre-tension the front seatbelts;
• Lane Departure Alert: used a camera mounted on the vehicle’s windscreen to recognise lane markings and would warn the driver when the vehicle was about to deviate from its lane via an audible tone and visual representation in the multi-information display screen; and,
• Automatic High Beam (AHB): detected the headlights of oncoming vehicles and tail-lights of vehicles ahead, enabling the vehicle to switch between high- and low-beam to avoid dazzling other drivers.

As extra-cost options, these safety technologies were also available for the Toyota E170.II Corolla Ascent ($1500 which also included 15-inch alloy wheels) and Corolla SX ($750).

Features: Toyota E170.II Corolla

Compared to the Toyota E170.I Corolla, standard features for the E170.II Corolla were extended to include a seven-inch touch screen which included access to ‘Toyota Link’ connected mobility (apps that could assist the driver to find destinations, petrol stations, weather information and roadside assistance) and Pandora internet radio, ‘Optitron’ instrument backlighting and a 4.2-inch colour information display.

Furthermore,

• The Toyota E170.II Corolla SX gained a satellite navigation system (Toyota’s ‘Link2’ system); and,
• For the Corolla ZR, standard features were extended to include bi-LED headlights.

Specifications and brochure

• Specifications: Toyota E170 Corolla sedan (February 2017)
• Brochure: Toyota E170 Corolla sedan (February 2017)

Related links

• Toyota Australia: Toyota Previews Upgraded Corolla Sedan (March 2016)
• Toyota Australia: Toyota Corolla Celebrates 50 Years with New Style and Safety (January 2017)
• Toyota Australia: Toyota Corolla
• Wikipedia.org: Toyota E180 Corolla