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Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Review 2022

2020 Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid Design 5dr CVT Toyota Corolla
1.8 VVT-i Hybrid Design 5dr CVT
£27,000
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Toyota Corolla Touring Sports At A Glance

5/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Corolla Touring Sports is Toyota at its very best. All versions are smooth to drive, refined and comfortable over a long journey.

+Silky smooth ride quality, high level of standard equipment, practical and comfortable cabin, hybrid versions are a genuine alternative to diesel.

-High price for most basic model, rear seat will be cramped for those over six feet tall.

New prices start from £25,455
On average it achieves 100% of the official MPG figure

Toyota’s Corolla Touring Sports takes the Corolla hatchback and adds an estate body for additional practicality. Designed to take on established class favourites like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, the Corolla is the only car in the segment not to offer a diesel engine and rely solely on hybrid powertrains. It also ticks plenty of the usual Toyota boxes, being easy to drive, quiet and well-made, if not particularly exciting to drive. However, it’s well-specified even on the basic model and should be cheap to run, so if you can live without diesel it’s worthy of consideration.

A key rival to the estate versions of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, the Corolla Touring Sports is one of the few family cars to be sold completely diesel-free. This means Corolla buyers get the choice of a 1.2 petrol engine or two petrol hybrids. 

The Corolla Touring Sports won't set many pulses racing when it comes to driver engagement, but if you choose one of the efficient hybrid versions then you'll probably never buy a diesel estate car ever again.

The 1.8 hybrid also provides the best balance when it comes to refinement and running costs, with advertised fuel economy peaking at 63mpg. It's also supremely comfortable, with its supple suspension and sophisticated hybrid system allowing the Corolla to waft along at uban speeds in a soft and satisfying silence. 

While the Corolla is relaxing to drive, it doesn't provide much in the way of engagement. The CVT gearbox will cause the petrol engine to groan like a bear with a sore head when pushed along, and the light steering provides very little feedback.

That said, the chassis has plenty of grip and the suspension does a good job of keeping the body flat in the corners. Just don't expect any fireworks in the handling department. 

Most versions get firm but supportive cloth seats, with heating and electric lumbar adjustment in the front. Standard equipment levels are very high across the Corolla line-up, with mid-spec models getting touchscreen navigation, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. This means you won't have to spend any money on expensive options. 

On the downside, the cabin lacks flair, with swathes of dark and grey materials. However, for the most part, the interior makes up for its lack of sparkle with a premium finish that includes lots of soft-touch materials.

You also get up to 598-litres of bootspace with the rear seats in place., which is better than the Focus estate (575 litres) but less than the 605 litres you get in the largest version of the Golf.

We rate the Corolla Touring Sports as one of the very best family estate cars. It's well-made, silky smooth to drive and the hybrids return diesel-like economy. It's also worth noting that few of the Corolla's hybrid rivals can match it on price or spec, which means this is truly a car that sits in a class of its own.

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Toyota Corolla Touring Sports review. 

What do owners think of the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Reviews for Toyota Corolla Touring Sports's top 3 rivals

Toyota Corolla
5/5
Far better to drive than the Auris. Hybrid models are very efficient. Interior feels upmarket. Plenty...
BMW i3
5/5
Available as a range extended version, impressive performance and handling, superb interior design, eight...
Hyundai Ioniq
4/5
Available as hybrid, plug-in or pure EV. Easy and relaxing to drive. Low running costs.

Ask Honest John

Which hybrid estate do you recommend?
"We live in Greater London so likely to be affected by the possible revised ULEZ change in 2023. We currently own a Volkswagen Passat Estate 2011 2.0 TDI. We have a dog and like to go camping hence the larger car and boot capacity. What are the best options for us for hybrid? We generally buy high mileage second hand cars and run them into the ground but open to all options."
Can you charge a car at home (i.e. have off-street parking with access to electricity)? If so, we'd recommend skipping the hybrid stage and going straight to an electric vehicle like the excellent (and relatively affordable) MG 5 EV estate. Otherwise, a hybrid estate could be a good option. A used Toyota Corolla Touring Sports would be a sensible purchase.
Answered by Andrew Brady
What's the best estate car for sale right now?
"What is the best estate caron sale right now?"
If you need a mid-size estate, I'd say Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. For anything larger, I'd go with Skoda Superb Estate or Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate.
Answered by Dan Powell
How can we get a good deal on a new car?
"We have a 2017 Volvo V90 D5 that has done 50,000 miles. It is bigger than we need.Given the price of second hand cars we wonder whether we should just look to get a new car (trying to negotiate a discount for cash) on the basis ours may have increased in value as well. We would then sell the V90 on through an organisation that buys cars if necessary. A mid-sized estate (such as a Golf) would suit us well. Do you have any advice on our approach and any suggestions as to what we should consider? Our budget is probably £18,000 to £20,000. Due to infirm knees we would prefer an automatic."
Getting a good deal on a new car will be the difficult bit. Used car prices are inflated because there's a shortage of new cars. A dealer will be reluctant to offer a good deal for cash - they make commission from finance sales. As a replacement for your Volvo, a Volkswagen Golf Estate sounds like a good choice. We'd also recommend a Kia Ceed Sportswagon or, if you can find one within budget, a hybrid Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Also consider SUV alternatives like a Skoda Karoq.
Answered by Andrew Brady
What's the best hybrid car for a keen gardener?
"I have owned Ford Mondeo estate cars for many years. My current vehicle was registered in 2013 but being tall, having hip problems and getting older I am finding it increasingly difficult getting in and out of the vehicle because of the low seating position. I like the size of the car as I am a keen gardener and carry a lot of tools in the back of the vehicle when travelling to my allotment. SUVs seem to have quite small boots. I am thinking of a petrol hybrid estate - I only travel about 10,000 miles a year. My budget would be £25,000 including the trade-in value of my Mondeo. What do you suggest I buy?"
Take a look at the Honda Jazz Hybrid. It's smaller than your Ford Mondeo but with a slightly higher roofline and seating position, which should help with access. It's also very practical for a small car thanks to its clever 'magic seats' which flip and fold to provide space for your allotment tools. Alternatively, we'd recommend a Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. It's bigger than a Jazz, with a big boot and a very efficient hybrid drivetrain. You'd have to stretch the budget for a new one but £25,000 will get a good example from 2020.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Toyota Corolla Touring Sports cost?

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