Toyota unveil all-new, British-built Corolla estate

Toyota has previewed the new Corolla Touring Sports. The mid-size estate will go on sale in 2019 for an expected £22,000 and be offered with petrol or hybrid powertrains.

Toyota confirmed that it was bringing back the Corolla nameplate for 2019. The all-new Corolla estate will mirror the styling of the hatchback and use a slightly uprated range of petrol and hybrid powertrains.

The Ford Focus rival will provide 598 litres of bootspace with the rear seats in place, which will put it on par with the Volkswagen Golf Estate when it comes to storage. Toyota is also claiming ‘best-in-class’ rear seat legroom thanks to a 928mm distance between the front and rear rows.

As with the hatchback, a sharper and more dynamic drive is being promised thanks to a stiffer set-and all-new multilink rear suspension arrangement. The Corolla will sit closer to the road than the outgoing Auris, while the battery pack for the hybrid models will be placed under the rear seats to improve balance and handling. 

Just one conventional engine will be available - a 116PS 1.2-litre turbo petrol. A choice of 122PS 1.8-litre or 180PS 2.0-litre hybrid powertrains will also be offered, with the latter getting Toyota’s new CVT gearbox and a special launch gear to improve refinement and economy at low-speeds.

Toyota hasn’t released any details about pricing or equipment levels, but expect the most-expensive high grade models to get head-up display, wireless mobile phone charging and touchscreen navigation. LED headlights and bi-tone exterior colour schemes will also be available from launch.