Updated 2023 Toyota Corolla now available to order

Toyota retailers are now taking orders for the 2023 Toyota Corolla, and customers will also be able to place orders online from 1 September. The latest Corolla features some upgrades to its hybrid powertrain, in-car entertainment system, more safety and driver assistance tech and tweaked styling.

As before, the 2023 Corolla will be available with a choice of hybrid systems featuring a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre petrol engine. Toyota says these units will now offer better performance with unchanged, or decreased CO2 emissions depending on the powertrain. This is thanks to a more powerful and 18kg lighter lithium-ion battery. The 120bhp produced by the outgoing 1.8-litre unit increases to 138bhp, and the 2.0-litre increases from 181bhp to 193bhp.

These power increases mean the 1.8-litre version gets a quicker 0-62mph time of 9.2 seconds – 1.7 seconds faster than the old model, which sometimes felt a little sluggish. The 2.0-litre version’s 0-62mph time has improved by half a second, and now takes 7.5 seconds.

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The refreshed Corolla will also benefit from an improved multimedia system with a 10.5-inch display. Toyota says the system will be easier to use and will be capable of over-the-air updates to keep it up-to-date in the future. An improved voice recognition system will also be available to operate media and car functions, such as opening or closing windows. Updates will also bring added functionality via the MyT smartphone app, such as locking and unlocking the car or remotely heating or cooling the car’s interior before a journey.

There will be some moderate styling tweaks to the 2023 Corolla, including a revised front grille, fog light bezels and new alloy wheels. Design, Excel and GR Sport models also get new LED headlights.

The interior gets updates designed to give a more premium feel via new graphics, trim pieces and embossed patterns. The interior upholstery can now be specified in one of two themes: Light or Dark Harmony.

The trim levels, referred to as ‘grades’ by Toyota, have been revised – Icon Tech has been removed leaving four remaining grades: Icon, Design, Excel and GR Sport. Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 10.5-inch multimedia display, wireless charging and front and rear parking sensors. 

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Design models add extra levels of equipment such as folding door mirrors and auto wipers as well as the option of a panoramic roof. GR Sport models add sportier styling touches with more or less the same equipment offered on Design grade, and Excel is the most premium model which includes leather upholstery, adaptive headlights, a head-up display, and blind spot monitoring among other features. The Corolla is also now offered with a number of new paint options.

The new Corolla also features improvements to its suite of safety and driver assistance tech. The ‘Acceleration Suppression’ system (which detects accidental application of the throttle at low speed) and Emergency Steering Assist system have been improved, and the collision avoidance system now works to prevent accidents when making a turn at a junction. The Safe Exit Assist system triggers a warning when exiting the vehicle if there is a vehicle or cyclist approaching, and the car will now warn the driver if they’ve left something on the back seats when they leave the car. This safety technology will be kept up-to-date through over-the-air updates.

Prices will start from just under £30,000 for 1.8-litre Icon hatchback models, up to just over £36,000 for the 2.0-litre Excel Touring Sports estate models.