Road Beat: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE, the right way to go

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE, A new direction for the Corolla iM and it’s the right way to go.

Corolla iM evolved originally from the Scion brand, it was a second-generation Scion and when the brand was folded into Toyota it became a Corolla iM. I liked the iM as it had good performance, great styling looking a bit like a lowered and sleeker RAV4 with excellent fuel economy.

Now the iM has become the new Corolla Hatchback, which because of its rear hatch retains some of the iM’s mini-ute characteristics. New, aggressive styling includes a longer wheelbase (up an inch and a half to 104 inches), a shortened body by an inch (now 170 inches) and a growth in width by an inch now 70 inches. Effectively, this new Hatchback is an all-new ride, with the Corolla 1.8L engine even getting stroked by about a quarter of an inch bringing the new mill’s displacement to 2.0L.

Styling has some of the standard Corolla’s theme with a large, low open-mouth grill and the same lower door line, although the shorter wheelbase of the Hatchback means smaller rear doors. It is not a regular Corolla with the trunk chopped off as was the case in creating the long-gone AMC Gremlin. AMC literally chopped the trunk off its compact Hornet while shortening its wheelbase by a foot to create the Gremlin. This car instead is based on the new Toyota Global New Architecture (TGNA) which is a big improvement in the new fully independent multilink rear suspension instead of a torsion beam. But it must be said that the Hatchback is a small car, over a foot shorter while maintaining the same width and effectively the same height (57 inches). It succeeds in its sportier, bolder and more athletic appearance. I like it.

With that new, larger engine come much more power, a full 168 ponies at a high 6,600 rpm plus 151 pounds of twist at 4,800 rpm. That’s up about 36 hp and over 30 pounds of twist. In addition, Toyota employs its new D-4S direct injection system along with port injectors and a sky-high 13:1 compression ratio which along with its new variable valve timing allows the engine to operate in a more efficient Atkinson cycle mode. I won’t bore you as to how, it improves efficiency, but fuel economy is up by about five percent.

Toyota has seen fit to improve the transmission by employing a CVT with a direct first gear launch system which creates a more positive tip in while improving efficiency. In addition, in manual mode, it gives you 10 pre-selected speeds. When I wrote performance has improved, it has significantly with 0-60 mph now arriving in just 7.55 seconds and 50-70 mph passing times dropping to 4 seconds flat on a level highway and 6.42 seconds up a 6-7 percent grade. My prior test of a Corolla iM with 137 hp 1.8L engine recorded times of 8.87/4.67 and 9.38 seconds respectively.

And the fuel economy is also much improved. EPA rates the new Hatchback at 30/38/33 mpg city/highway/combined, but you can expect better at my two-way highway run at 70 mph averaged 39.7 mpg. Going over the Sierras to Carson City averaged 36.1 mpg and overall fuel economy averaged about 34 mpg. All those numbers are improved over my last iM test. The fuel tank is the standard 13.2 gallons. It seems every compact has a 13.2-gallon fuel tank.

Handling is very sporty with very capable credentials including state of the art suspension, 18-inch alloys shod with 225/40X18 tires, a quick electric power steering rack that is 2.76 turns lock to lock and a wide 61-inch track front and rear. With only 3,060 pounds to coerce in changing directions, this XSE does it with aplomb and accuracy with little body roll and amazing grip. Turn in is very crisp and understeer is mild. It is easy to throttle steer after initial turn in and most fun to point the car tight and add throttle to accelerate and drive it out of the corners at the apex. Mid-corner adjustments are a breeze as long as corner placement. Transitions are natural and make chicanes all the more fun.

Ride quality won’t dazzle you as it is firm. Sharp bumps can be felt and there is tire noise on coarser roads. Engine noise is only heard when hard on the throttle. Engine rpm at 70 mph is a very low 1,800 rpm and there is no wind noise.

Safety starts with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 that includes radar cruise and lane departure alert with steering assist. But more important is that this Corolla has standard four-wheel discs. But the piece de resistance is the Bi-Beam LED headlights with adaptive front lighting that turns with the steering that also moves vertically. In addition, they have automatic high beam control. And they also turn night into day.

Inside is a typical Toyota quality interior. Seats are comfortable and the driver’s chair is powered and both are heated. Rear seating is a bit tight, but this is a small car, slightly smaller than a Mini Cooper Countryman, but it still gets the EPA compact car classification.

Instrumentation is complete with a tach on the left flank of the speedo. The center stack is topped by an eight-inch color screen for the excellent sound system and nav.

Pricing starts at an also minuscule price $19,990 for a SE plus $920 for the boat from Japan with a six-speed manual tranny. My top of the line XSE stickered for $24,090 plus the $920 for the boat. The Adaptive and level control headlights cost an additional $415 (buy them). The upgraded JBL sound plus Nav is another good option deal for $1,600. Wheel locks are $65, the rear spoiler is $375 and the floor mats, cargo mat, bumper protector and a couple of other items will cost you an additional $258 (yeah, buy those, too.). The total comes to $27,823. Funny, I remember when you could buy a Corolla for $10 grand in 1991, but the good news is that this new Corolla is three times the car. And I haven’t mentioned inflation, but it still is three times the car.

Price $20,910.00 to $27,823.00 with destination

Specifications

Engine
2.0L DOHC 16 valve inline four cylinder with VVT-iE 168 hp @ 6,600 rpm
151 lb.-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm

Transmission
CVT with geared first gear and 10 pre-selected speeds
Six speed manual

Configuration
Transverse front engine/front wheel drive

Dimensions
Wheelbase 103.9 inches
Length 169.9 inches
Width 69.9 inches
Height 57.1 inches
Tread (track) (f/r) 60.3/60.8 inches
Ground Clearance 5.1 inches
Weight 3,060 pounds
Fuel capacity 13.2 gallons
Passenger volume 85.0 cubic feet
Trunk volume 18.0 cubic feet
Steering lock to lock 3.19 turns
Turning circle 35.6 feet
Wheels 18X7.5-inch alloys
Tires 225/40X17 inch all season radials
Co-efficient of drag 0.30

Performance
0-60 mph 7.55 seconds
50-70 mph 4.00 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 6.42 seconds
Top Speed Well into triple digits
Fuel economy EPA rated 30/38/33 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 40 mpg plus on the highway at legal speed and 33-35 mpg overall in rural country driving.