tourer | On the road

Toyota Corolla Tourer by Bill McCarthy

IT takes courage, or a leap of faith, to change the name of the world’s best selling car. But Toyota decided to replace the Corolla in Europe with a new name and the Auris was born around 13 years ago.

Now the Corolla is back, in turn replacing the Auris, but is it a triumphant return?

Production of the new 12th generation Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports wagon started at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire at the beginning of 2019 with a simplified line-up of engines, one petrol and two petrol, self-charging hybrids.

There’s no doubt it is an eye-catching car, particularly in the tourer or estate form driven here.

It is constructed on Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform offering low centre of gravity, light weight and strong rigidity for a better driving experience and enhanced safety levels say Toyota.

The hatchback and touring sports offer a choice of an improved 1.8-litre with 120bhp and a new 2.0-litre system developing 180bhp, while the petrol only is a 114bhp 1.2-litre turbo unit.

In common with many tourers now, the Corolla offers styling to match the hatchback sibling.

It has a swooping, coupe-like profile enhanced by it being 25mm closes to the ground than previous models. A front end is, say Toyota, an evolution of the catamaran design theme. You can see what they mean, the large low set grille flanked by the front wing corners, giving the appearance of a double hull. This is complemented by slim headlight cluster.

The rear also features full-LED light clusters, with a more steeply raked rear screen and on this model, twin exhaust pipes.

It looks good outside and inside is pretty good too with new front seat design and a slimmer dashboard and wider, higher centre console. New switchgear and instrumentation have also been introduced while the Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia system is the centrepiece, although it does look like it has been bolted on as an afterthought.

All specs come with automatic rear camera, LED headlights, heated front seats with this range topper all kinds of bells and whistles like 18-inch alloy wheels Bi-LED headlights and part-leather seat upholstery.

Trim is the best yet with with the use of quality soft touch finish, satin chrome trim to steering wheel, doors, binnacle and gearshift housing together with piano black trim.

As a tourer stowage capacity needs to be good and the vehicle has a 598-litre capacity in the 1.8-litre version, but space is slightly compromised with this two litre version at 581 litres, with battery being placed under the boot.

However carrying capacity can be increased massively with the one touch remote lever folding the rear seats for a fully flat floor, while side wall storage pockets behind the rear wheel housings add extra capacity. Not class leading, but more than adequate for most needs.

The two litre petrol engine/electric motor hybrid setup is the best so far in a brand the pioneered the techology.

It delivers decent pace and economy via a CVT transmission. Not always my favourite transmission, but this one is the least raucous I have driven and only becomes annoying with sudden, harsh acceleration.

Toyota have stuck with self-charging hybrids, which they pioneered with the Prius, and they have improved to the point where transition from petrol to electric is seamless and there’s no worry over finding charging points. Long term it may not be the answer, but it’s a clever setup with low emissions for taxation and benefit in kind purposes.

Engine and motor combine to deliver 180bhp, which propels the car to 60mph in around eight seconds with claimed economy of between 50 and 60mpg.

Obviously, the lighter your right foot is on the pedal, the more electric power is delivered and this is especially true in slow moving traffic, where the car runs on electric power.

A stylish return of a familiar name. It is a fine car and cheap to run. A triumphant return? The signs are good.

Factfile

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Excel 2.0 hybrid+

Price: £30,345

Mechanical: 180bhp, 1,987cc, 4cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via automatic gearbox

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 8.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 50-53

CO2 emissions: 89g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles

Mazda6 Tourer

By Bill McCarthy

The Mazda6 was a ground-breaking car for for the firm when it first appeared in the early part of the century.

The firm had done big saloons, notably the 626, but nothing that was challenging the big boys in the playground like the Mondeo, Passat and Insignia, all significant in the business market.

That quickly changed in 2002 the Mazda6 shook the segment up and the Japanese firm has not rested on its laurels since, with this third generation car still right up there even challenging the more luxury German brands.

In common with many firms, the estate version, or tourer as they like to call it, now challenges the saloon in terms of looks and desirability.

Despite its length, it has a coupe like silhouette with eye-catching alloy wheels It even challenges in the formerly no-go area of sporty performance, notably with this near 200bhp GT Sport model, powered by a feisty 2.5 litre petrol engine.

In addition it features the firm’s most advanced Skyactiv Technology, designed to heighten what they described as ‘Jinba Ittai’, or, car and driver being in harmony, whatever that means.

This latest engine technology certainly delivers a quicker response to throttle demands while steering and handling are further enhanced.

The big estate has always been a bit of a looker and the latest model is no exception, with new grille with redesigned headlights LED running lights, smart new alloy wheels and new rear light clusters.

The interior too, is smart, chic and functional, with plenty of space for five passengers, good head and legroom and decent, if not class leading, stowage capacity.

Inspired by another Japanese theme, Kodo, which it says is produced by finest master craftsmen and designers working with their hands, shaping every line and curve to achieve a level of elegance. It sounds like waffle, but it’s not far off the mark in reality

On the road, the Skyactiv technology delivers, pace, handling and economy in equal measures.

The 190bhp power unit propels the car to 60 mph in just over eight seconds, via the six-speed automatic gearbox.

Fuel economy is helped by stop/start and cylinder deactivation at certain times. It works by controlling valve movement to shut down two of the engine’s four cylinders under light load conditions like constant speed cruising. This delivers an official figure 41.5mpg, a figure, unusually, which I got surprisingly close to, and emissions of 156g/km.

On the road, the tweaked suspensions offers sharp handling, direct steering and a comfortable ride. It should be fun when switching to sport mode and the gearchange paddles.

I did find, however, manual changes hesitant. But sticking to full auto mode still delivers a satisfying drive.

This range-topper has plenty to offer in a fairly premium package, with a fairly premium prices, including, an eight inch touchscreen, which controls major functions, 360-degree parking camera, head-up display and leather upholstery.

The generous standard spec also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 19-inch on this model, leather upholstery and 19-inch wheels, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, DAB radio with Bluetooth, air-con, cruise control, ESC, six airbags and hill-hold

An optional safety pack includes assisted braking, lane departure assistance, blind spot monitor and attention alert.

Despite the swooping silhouette, interior space is still pretty good with stowage space of 552 litres, expanding to 1,664 with the seats folded. A wide flat loading area opens up, with a low loading sill.

Just the kind of practicality you would expect from an estate, sorry, tourer.