2019 Toyota Corolla Altis - First impression

It has been almost a month since Toyota Philippines launched its latest 2019 Corolla Altis in the country. Being a Toyota and a Corolla, this new model attracted many eyeballs even before its launch. Since now it is available in the flesh, here is our first impression of the car.

The Corolla Altis has always been a looker and Toyota wanted it to be even better for the 2019 model that’s why it made certain design tweaks. What are the new exterior features of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis?

• Sleeker and sharper headlights
• Integrated LED daytime running lights
• New front chrome grille
• Revised front bumper with fog lamp housings
• New alloy wheels
• New tail lights with signature LED lighting

Following are some other exterior features-

Features	1.8 V Hybrid CVT	1.6 V CVT	1.6 G CVT	1.6 G MT	1.6 E MT
Tyres	255/45 R17	255/45 R17	205/55 R16	205/55 R16	205/55 R16
Wheels	Aluminium alloy, m/c finished	Aluminium alloy, m/c finished	Aluminium alloy	Aluminium alloy	Aluminium alloy
Headlamps	Bi-beam LED	Bi-beam LED	Halogen projector	Halogen projector	Halogen projector
Follow me home	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Fog lamps	LED	LED	N	N	N
Door handle	Chrome	Chrome	Colour keyed	Colour keyed	Colour keyed
Tail lamps	LED	LED	LED	LED	LED

 

Then new Corolla Altis is based on TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform which makes it more agile and stable. It also allowed Toyota to increase the dimensions of the new car by just a bit which was more than enough to make a difference even in the interior. The new Altis is 10 mm longer, 5 mm wider, and 45 mm lower.

Dimensions	1.8 V Hybrid CVT	1.6 V CVT	1.6 G CVT	1.6 G MT	1.6 E MT
Length	4630 mm	4630 mm	4630 mm	4630 mm	4630 mm
Width	1780 mm	1780 mm	1780 mm	1780 mm	1780 mm
Height	1455 mm	1455 mm	1455 mm	1455 mm	1455 mm
Wheelbase	2700 mm	2700 mm	2700 mm	2700 mm	2700 mm

 

Apart from having slightly more space on the inside, the new 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis specs also have some other new interior features that we like. For example, there is a new 7-in colour MID (multi-info display) that looks very cool is as very informative too.

We think Toyota has done a decent job in improving the interior of the 2019 Corolla Altis. Of course, it isn’t the most opulent or most advanced out there but it surely is among the best in the segment.

Interior features	1.8 V Hybrid CVT	1.6 V CVT	1.6 G CVT	1.6 G MT	1.6 E MT
Seat material	Leather	Leather	Fabric	Fabric	Fabric
Seat adjustable	8-way power driver/4-way manual pass	8-way power driver/4-way manual pass	6-way power driver/4-way manual pass	6-way power driver/4-way manual pass	6-way power driver/4-way manual pass
Parking brake	Electronic	Electronic	Lever	Lever	Lever
MID	7-in colour	7-in colour	4.2-in colour	4.2-in colour	4.2-in colour
Rear AC vents	Y	Y	N	N	N

 

While all these new features are indeed tempting, one of the key highlights of the new Corolla Altis that was very important for Toyota was its Hybrid variant. Yes, Toyota finally bought the 1.8-litre hybrid in the Philippines in the hope that people will get familiar with it and understand its benefits.

What is the 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis Hybrid engine configuration?

Ans. It is a 1.8-litre in-line 4-cylinder engine that produces a max power of 97 bhp at 5200 rpm and a peak torque of 142 Nm at 3600 rpm. It is mated to an electric motor that itself generates a max power output of 71 hp.

	1.8 V Hybrid CVT	1.6 V CVT	1.6 G CVT	1.6 G MT	1.6 E MT
Engine	In-line 4-cyl	In-line 4-cyl	In-line 4-cyl	In-line 4-cyl	In-line 4-cyl
Electric motor	Y	N	N	N	N
Max power	97 hp @ 5200 rpm	121 hp @ 6000 rpm	121 hp @ 6000 rpm	121 hp @ 6000 rpm	121 hp @ 6000 rpm
Max torque	142 Nm @ 3600 rpm	153 Nm @ 5200 rpm	153 Nm @ 5200 rpm	153 Nm @ 5200 rpm	153 Nm @ 5200 rpm
Transmission	CVT	CVT	CVT	6-speed MT	6-speed MT

 

We have always appreciated Toyota’s priority towards safety and with the 2019 Corolla Altis, Toyota continues to move on the same path. Following are some of the key safety features that you would find-

• SRS airbags (driver, passenger, side, curtain shield, driver-side knee)
• ABS with EBD
• Vehicle Stability Control
• Hill-start assist

It is only the Hybrid variant that gets Toyota’s Safety Sense that includes a pre-collision system, automatic high beam, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert, and dynamic radar cruise control.

How much does the new Corolla Altis cost?

Ans. The 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis price starts at Php 999,000 for its base 1.6 E MT model and rises as high as Php 1.58 million for the range-topping Hybrid variant. And we think for the price, the new Altis would be a fantastic choice.

Also Read: 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis vs Hyundai Elantra - The better sedan