Sedan supremacy: Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV

With fewer and fewer private passenger sedans on the streets, it’s not difficult to see why some people say that the segment is slowly dying in the Philippines.

Today’s car buyers lean more towards vehicles with chunky tires, higher ground clearances, and better interior space. And they’re not wrong. Pothole-ridden roads, thoroughfares that quickly get flooded, and the practicality of “carpooling” due to rising petroleum prices make good cases for switching to crossovers and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV). 

But sedans offer something that the abovementioned classes cannot—the sheer pleasure of driving. And the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) provides “drivers” with the excitement behind the wheel, plus more. 

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A sleek silhouette

Compared to other vehicle platforms, sedans—for the author—are the most streamlined.

In the case of the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV, it offers a sleek silhouette that looks fast, even when sitting still in a parking lot. This “aura” or “vibe” is further reinforced by a handful of sporty exterior appointments, courtesy of the brand’s motorsport division—Gazoo Racing. 

At the fore is a black honeycomb grille with the GR-S badge. To the sides of the latticework are LED fog lamps that help with visibility when driving in low-light conditions. Above the meshwork is a black garnish bearing the Toyota emblem. Flanking the trim are headlamps and daytime running lights with LED technology.

The side profile of the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV is highlighted by a set of GR-S-design 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/45 highway tires. Side sill garnishes, body-colored door handles, blacked-out side mirrors and pillars, round up the features found on the sedan’s sides.

At the back, it has smoked taillamps, a spoiler just above the trunk (with the GR-S logo), and a body-colored bumper with a diffuser-like appointment neatly-tucked at the bottom. 

Overall, the range-topping model of the nameplate comes packed with a slew of features one might want in a sedan. Aftermarket accessories become an afterthought since it is already supplied with cosmetic appointments that are actually tastefully done.

From a distance, the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV looks like a proud machine that offers a good dose of elegance and sportiness.

Cohesive interior 

Inside, the balance between opulence and “spiritedness” continues.

The driver is faced with a multi-functional, leather-wrapped steering wheel that is a joy to hold. Noticeable are the red stitching and the GR-S badge on one of the spokes. Providing design cohesion are the soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard—also with contrasting red stitching.

Sitting close together are the 12.3-inch multi-information display and the nine-inch floating infotainment system. The latter—clustered together with the air-conditioning controls—is fitted in a housing with a gloss black finish. It’s sad that it’s a dust and fingerprint magnet, but that is something we can live with.

The shroud that covers the gear shift panel is also finished in the same material, although the shifter and the shift boot get a matte texture.

Black and red appear to be the theme for the cabin, and we’re not complaining. The seats get leather upholstery with perforation, as well as red piping. Being cradled in these GR-S bucket-type seats is an experience in itself, as the snugness evokes spirited driving. Further, it all comes together as soon as you put on the red seatbelt.

While in other sedans, a beige-colored headliner breaks the theme (and sort of reminds them that they are driving an econo-car), the roof liner of the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV will please those who like to “dark mode” everything.

Other notable features include a push-start button (with GR-S branding), a power driver seat with lumbar support, a dual-zone climate control system, and a wireless charger.

In summary, the cabin of the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV feels driver-centric. Every button, every control is within reach, and movement inside the vehicle feels natural. The driver is provided with a clear view of the road, and with a relatively decent size, it’s easy to get familiar with the dimensions of the car.

Electrified powertrain 

Powering the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV is a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with hybrid technology mated to a continuously variable transmission.

On paper, it produces about 120 horsepower and 142 Newton-meters of torque. Behind the wheel, this means that the sedan can accelerate quickly, which is useful when getting to expressway speeds or doing overtakes on the freeway. Maintaining speed also requires little pedal work. 

Halts and deceleration are facilitated by ventilated disc brakes at the front and solid brakes at the rear. Suspension-wise, it gets MacPhersons at the front and independent ones at the rear. So, it feels comfortable enough even in sharp turns and feels planted in high-speed driving conditions.

Overall, driving the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV lets one realize and experience that travel is more than just moving from point A to point B. One can find joy in how the car accelerates, tackles corners, and how its hybrid technology actually helps make every journey fun and sustainable.

Updated safety

When it comes to safety, the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV is packed with updated technologies. Below is a list of its features:

• Pre-collision system
• Automatic high beam
• Lane tracing assist
• Lane departure alert
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Anti-lock braking
• Vehicle stability
• Hill-start assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear camera
• Parking sensors

Should you buy a sedan? 

Before we end the review, it is important for the author to disclose that he has a soft spot or bias for sedans. After all, the writer learned how to drive in a 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer GLi.

For him, these types of automobiles feel personal. Unlike sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and MPVs that are good for bringing one’s barkadas or extended families on trips (due to having more than five seats), sedans feel more like being in one’s own bubble. 

As such, drives on windy coastal roads or through green suburban boulevards feel therapeutic. With fewer occupants, drivers could even find themselves deep in thought (or prayer) in between gear shifts.

Further, sedans kind of offer the closest experience to being “one with the machine.” It begs driver engagement and input, especially when equipped with a manual transmission, which can certainly feel rewarding. 

Sedans, like the Toyota Corolla Altis GR-S HEV, can evoke these feelings. And if you are ready to see driving in a different light, then maybe you should buy one.

On that note, the said vehicle will set customers back some P1.771 million.

Also read:

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