2022 Toyota Corolla Altis: A Standout Japanese Car

World-leading position

Not the Camry, the “Ministerial car,” nor the Land Cruiser rock pot, the “king of off-road”; it is the new Corolla that has made its mark, taking the Toyota emblem across the globe. Just a glance at a few simple statistics, and you’ll see the “awe-inspiring” reputation of this familiar sedan model.

The Toyota Corolla made its debut in 1966 and, by 1974, it had become the world’s best-selling model, a position it has maintained ever since. In 1997, the Corolla surpassed VW’s Beetle to become the best-selling model of all time.

As of 2021, Toyota has produced over 50 million Corolla cars worldwide. If all these cars were lined up, they would form a column stretching 5 orbits around the Earth. To put it into perspective, Corolla cars collectively travel a distance equivalent to going to the Moon and back 50 times each year.

With a total of 50 million cars sold, a new Toyota Corolla is sold every 15 seconds worldwide, and one out of every five cars sold by Toyota is a Corolla, accounting for 20% of the company’s total sales.

This achievement is undoubtedly something any manufacturer would desire. But how has the Toyota Corolla managed to gain the trust of consumers and be chosen by so many customers? The answer lies in the 2022 Corolla Altis, the latest generation of products recently launched in the Vietnamese market.

Exquisite sedan design

Completely shedding the image of an old, boring, slow-changing car model, the new 2022 Corolla Altis, part of the 12th generation, has just been launched with a striking exterior design. It showcases youthful lines that follow the spirit of “No more boring cars,” a philosophy established by the company’s president, Mr. Akio Toyoda, upon assuming Toyota’s management.

Similar to its sibling, the Camry, the face of the new 2022 Corolla Altis has been imbued with a more youthful and aggressive style. The diamond-shaped grille design, with its bottom lip extending to the sides, creates a menacing appearance resembling a shark ready to strike its prey. The chrome strip running along with the demi LED J-shaped lights, resembling wings, adds an elegant and sophisticated touch to this C-segment sedan. Furthermore, the car is equipped with a windshield camera to support the Toyota Safety Sense safety technology package.

As we move to the body, one of the most eye-catching details is the legs of the Corolla Altis. The car boasts 17-inch alloy wheels with a striking two-tone multi-spoke design that adds a touch of sleekness to its overall appearance.

The power-adjustable and foldable rearview mirrors, integrated with a camera, provide a 360-degree view around the car for the top-of-the-line 1.8 HEV version. The upper window frames are adorned with chrome trim, offering a luxury and essential sense of style for traditional Corolla Altis customers.

With an overall length of 4,630mm and a wheelbase length of 2,700mm, the new 2022 Corolla Altis has undergone significant improvements in its appearance. However, the most enticing detail of this Japanese sedan model lies in the design of its rear end.

The rear brake light cluster leaves a lasting impression, featuring a design that flares up the two side wings combined with a long chrome strip extending to the sides. Along with the gently curved trunk lid designed like an integrated duckbill wing, the Corolla Altis evokes thoughts of a European sports sedan.

The rear bumper boasts a minimalist and robust design. The exhaust pipe is tucked away under the rear end, and the fake air intake is artfully integrated with the front end lines, creating a luxurious ambience for the sedan. Equipment such as a rearview camera and four proximity sensors are complete, leaving nothing to be desired when compared with competitors in the same segment.

Luxurious, minimalistic, modern interior

Tidy, modern, and brimming with convenience, these are the words that best summarize the interior space of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Altis. The car shares almost the entire cabin design with the Corolla Cross, its elder sibling with high ground clearance that has garnered considerable attention and appeal among Vietnamese consumers.

In the 1.8 V version, which is the focus of this review, the 2022 Corolla Altis is equipped with a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, featuring shortcut buttons for all the essential functions. This attention to detail showcases Toyota Vietnam’s commitment to delivering a product that is not compromised when brought to the Vietnamese market, a highly commendable aspect.

Behind the steering wheel, there is a modern multi-information display that provides the most intuitive display of the vehicle’s operating parameters. The HUD (Head-Up Display) function is exclusively available on the top-of-the-line HEV version.

The car is also equipped with a 9-inch infotainment screen positioned in the middle of the dashboard, featuring Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto standards, offering unparalleled convenience. Real-world experience has shown that smart wireless connectivity is indeed a “revolutionary invention” that should be widespread in every car, making driving more convenient, safe, and modern in the context of the 4.0 era.

Despite being equipped with only a 6-speaker audio system, the 2022 Corolla Altis delivers an outstanding audio experience, more than capable of meeting the basic entertainment needs of ordinary users. It helps alleviate the fatigue of driving in congested traffic or uplifts the spirits of all passengers on long journeys.

The 2022 Corolla Altis comes fully equipped with other conveniences, including an electronic parking brake with automatic hold, auto-dimming mirrors, leather seats with a sporty design that provide a snug fit and feature 10-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat. It also features dual-zone automatic air conditioning with rear seat vents and various charging ports, including a 12V socket, USB ports, and even the premium type-C port.

Compared to the top-of-the-line hybrid version, the 1.8 V version lacks some features, such as a 360-degree camera, a HUD, blind spot warning on the mirror, tire pressure warning, and the EV pure electric mode. Instead, the car is equipped with two driving modes: Normal and Sport.

Similar to the Land Cruiser, Camry, and Corolla Cross, the Corolla Altis boasts the TNGA global standard chassis system, which provides exceptional advantages. This system offers spaciousness for passengers, ensures flexibility and stability during operation, and enhances the driver’s view, thereby contributing to overall safety.

Stable operation, safety, and reliability

In the 1.8 V version, Toyota equips the 2022 Corolla Altis with the 2ZR-FBE engine, featuring a 1.8 L naturally aspirated engine combined with a front-wheel drive configuration and CVT transmission. This engine generates a power output of 138 horsepower and a maximum torque of 172 Nm.

While this power may not be as impressive as that of its competitors, it is sufficient to propel the C-segment sedan smoothly under all driving conditions, aligning with a Japanese driving style focused on cost-effectiveness, comfort, and fuel efficiency.

This philosophy is the key to the Corolla’s ability to win over 50 million users, a feat that no competitor can match, no matter how much they may desire to.

In addition to durability, smoothness, and reliability, the 2022 Corolla Altis has been equipped with the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense safety technology package (available on the V and HEV versions). This package offers various smart driving assistance solutions, including:

– PCS (Pre-Collision System): Forward collision warning

– LTA (Lane Traces Assist) and LDA (Lane Departure Alert): Lane keep assist and lane departure warning

– DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control): Active cruise control

– AHB (Automatic High Beam): Automatic high beam headlights

Furthermore, the car comes equipped with seven standard airbags for all versions. This demonstrates Toyota Vietnam’s strong commitment to customer safety, as safety is prioritized in the design and development of products tailored for Vietnamese consumers.

The highest-end 1.8 HEV version offers an unmatched fuel economy with a consumption rate of only 4.5 L/100km on a mixed road, an EV pure electric driving mode, and a smooth yet powerful acceleration that provides a comfortable and surprisingly enjoyable driving experience.

In conclusion, priced at 719, 765, and 860 million VND for the 1.8 G, 1.8 V, and 1.8 HEV versions, respectively, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Altis will undoubtedly cause concern among its competitors in the same segment.

The 12th generation of the model features a modern, youthful, and eye-catching design. The extensive list of convenience features offers no less than its competitors. The Corolla’s spaciousness and durability, hallmarks of the Toyota brand, remain faithfully preserved. Additionally, the highlight of the new Corolla Altis lies in its comprehensive safety features, including seven standard airbags and the TSS safety package.

Notably, the hybrid version, which boasts a remarkable fuel economy combined with outstanding performance, positions the 2022 Toyota Corolla Altis as a leading contender in the segment, solidifying its standing and captivating customers.

Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)