WeeklySA_AdminNEW ERA: More leg-room with larger door apertures, generous roofline, and higher ride
By Ali Mphaki
In life we are told we shall be judged by the company we keep. Show me your friends and I will know the kind of person you are, is a common refrain.
As if to rub it in, the wise also tell us birds of a feather flock together. And when it comes to cars, seemingly these objects of mobility are to be judged largely by the work they do.
Which is perhaps not surprising that these days the sight of a Toyota Corolla, similar to one driven by photographer Robert Magwaza, he of fairy tales, is immediately thought of as an Uber. To drive the point home, the award winning lens man was not amused the other day when he arrived at a party and an impatient but pretty lass approached him to ask;
“Are you not the gentleman from Uber?”
No doubt the proud Magwaza had his huge ego dented, and in his own dismissive way and as a saving grace retorted:” I’m not related to the Ubers”.
Kikikiki!
But come November 2021, just after local government elections, the all-new Corolla Cross will, like some new political parties in government make its South African debut.
While political parties will be counting votes to check how they fared, the “cross” on the Corolla is Toyota’s guarantee to see one more addition to the Corolla range, increasing the number of the derivatives from three to a majority of four. The four derivatives now form a coalition comprised of the Corolla Quest, turbocharged Corolla Hatchback, the Corolla Sedan and obviously the new kid-on-the-block, the Corolla Cross.
Just like the IFP in their election posters proclaim “Trust Us”, the majority among the voting motoring public will agree that when it comes to the Toyota Corolla, or Toyota products in general, this is more than a mere promise
With a story that spans 55 years and 12 generations, the Corolla has seen it and done it all to earn its rightful place as one of the most successful nameplates of all time. In terms of its “place” in the Toyota family, the newcomer comes in between the smaller C-HR and the larger RAV4, with nearest rivals the Jeep Compass and the Kia Seltos.
Inside it is same, same, with the Corolla and the Corolla Hatchback, even though it has more legroom and offers a higher ride, about 8.2 inches of ground clearance.
Built at Toyota’s Prospecton plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the locally-built Corolla Cross range consists of three ICE and two hybrid models.
What brings added comfort is that it continues the legacy that has made the Corolla such a household name.
