2021 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatchback review

Though they may have fallen from grace in the Australian market, where buyers preference SUVs over all else, cars like the Toyota Corolla still play an important part in our local new car market.

Its combination of compact size, practicality, dependability, safety, and level of comfort are part and parcel of the needs of many Australians. Importantly, too, they tend to remain affordable enough for everyone.

That said, the top-specification 2021 Toyota Corolla ZR Hybrid hatchback costs $34,695 before on-road costs. From a range starting just above $25,000 and towards that $35k-ish mark, is the flagship variant worth it?

The current-generation Toyota Corolla has been around since 2018 without significant update, though it carries on as the most popular small car in its segment against rivals such as the Hyundai i30 and Mazda 3.

Within Toyota’s own range, the Corolla fits the bill as the Japanese brand’s small hatchback passenger car (though it can come in a sedan body style). Bigger than the Yaris light hatch, but smaller than the Toyota Camry large sedan and incoming Corolla Cross small SUV.

Like many Toyota products these days, the Corolla is available with a hybrid powertrain. The ZR Hybrid stocks a closed-loop 1.8-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain that will help keep running costs down across the vehicle’s lifespan.

Luckily there are no extra optional equipment boxes to tick on the ZR Hybrid, but our car does wear the handsome two-tone Silver Pearl with black roof colour combo that costs $775.

Other hallmarks of the ZR Hybrid specification include bi-LED headlights, chrome and black accent trim and 18-inch alloy wheels. The accentuated bum also scores LED lights and – a little nerdy hint for you – those blue-tinged badges signify a hybrid powertrain in Toyota land.

From a wider perspective, there are relatively few ways to tell a ZR car over its lower-spec alternatives, but you do get an intuitive interior layout and enough niceties to keep you occupied and happy.

The ZR variant is highlighted by gear including a JBL premium stereo system, Ultrasuede and leather-trimmed sports seats, head-up display, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring.

In the hot seat, the Corolla presents as a competent command centre and a comfortable place to spend your life. The Ultrasuede seat inserts feel great to the touch and – in concert with the bolsters – hold you in place cosily for back-to-back corners. Small wonder that Toyota was happy to repurpose these pews inside the GR Yaris hot hatch.

In fact, the overall vibe inside is a bit sporty – but it’s not at the expense of comfort, which remains high no matter which seat you’re in. Materials use gets a pass mark on most surfaces, but some of the rarer touchpoints are covered in harder materials, which does diminish the ZR’s premium positioning somewhat.

Storage-wise, there’s just a small amount of space on offer to cater to loose items. The centre console contains two spots for drinks, but a shallow wireless charging tray and small centre console bin are about the extent of other available storage. Things like wallets and phones might have to stay in handbags or pockets on occasion.

It’s more of a stylised area rather than a functional one. For example, the ergonomics of placing a phone on the wireless charging pad are awkward.

Thankfully, the dual-zone air-conditioning controls are simple and include an Eco mode. Whether it’s the Eco mode or otherwise, the system itself is very quick to cool down the cabin – perfect for hot summer days.

The driver’s seating position affords a good view out of the cabin, both out over the bonnet and when you look behind. I’m 193cm tall and find the space in the front row entirely comfortable, as there’s good adjustability between the steering wheel and electrically controlled seat. However, the passenger seat misses out on electric seat adjustment.

The back is a bit more of a struggle inside the Corolla, especially with this hatchback body style. Those after ultimate space in the Corolla range are better served by the Corolla Sedan, but there’s limited space for adults to stow their knees, and the unconventional tapering roof line cuts into headspace.

Limited storage options are on offer in the second row, and the cupholders are mounted weirdly in the door card, which could cut into leg space.

The boot space in the Corolla ZR Hybrid hatchback is rated at 333L. In practice, it’s better suited to backpacks rather than luggage, but the seats do fold in 60/40 format to swallow something bigger if needed.

Keep in mind there is no spare tyre in this variant, only a puncture repair kit – far from ideal if you’re running a Corolla in a rural area.

At odds with the Corolla ZR’s otherwise sporty design theme, the 8.0-inch infotainment screen looks plonked on as an afterthought. Functionality from the unit is good thanks to the hard-button shortcuts alongside the unit, but the software design is rather basic.

Switching between menu systems is fast and intuitive, but there’s just not a lot of content there to explore. This may be a positive or negative depending on who’s buying the car. The Bluetooth system is quick to connect upon re-entry to the vehicle, and the eight-speaker JBL sound system does a great job of faithfully playing your tunes. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring is available, but only through a wired connection. Annoyingly, the USB input is in a hard-to-reach spot near the passenger footwell.

Other screens of note to the driver include a 7.0-inch display inside the instrument cluster that provides navigation, song track and fuel information, plus a head-up display that shows a speedo and the car’s hybrid status.

Safety is seen to by seven airbags and a complement of active safety technologies including high- and low-speed autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-centring assist, speed sign assist, all-speed adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a reverse camera.

ANCAP last awarded the Corolla a five-star safety score in 2018.

All Toyota products come as standard with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, but the engine and driveline warranty can be extended out to seven years as long as you stick to your annual service schedule.

On top of that, Toyota warrants its hybrid battery system for up to 10 years after delivery – an extra little bit of peace of mind for customers a bit wary of moving to electrified drivetrains.

In terms of servicing, the Corolla ZR Hybrid’s maintenance intervals stand at 12 months or 15,000km. Each of the first five services costs $205, though service pricing does get more expensive after that point. Importantly for this hybrid engine vehicle, the official fuel claim stands at 4.2L/100km. On our testing, we’ve recorded a real-world 5.0L/100km reading, which is remarkably close to the claim.

Anyone who’s recently spent time in a Toyota Camry Hybrid taxi will be able to draw parallels between that car’s powertrain and what we’ve got in the Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

It’s the same kind of deal, just with smaller motors and outputs. A 1.8-litre petrol engine is paired with a battery-powered motor, and the power produced by both is sent through a continuously variable transmission.

Key outputs from the ZR Hybrid include the 72kW and 142Nm petrol engine with a 53kW and 163Nm electric motor. The car will automatically switch between or combine the two, with a total output of 90kW.

The switch between the two forms of power is impressively unobtrusive. Most of the time you’ll pay no mind to the way it comes on and off combustion power. In practice, the electric motor handles low-speed driving and manoeuvring, which can make for a serene commute through traffic and around car parks.

Push the accelerator harder and the combustion petrol engine will kick into life and get you up to speed. Make no mistake, though, the Corolla does lack torque and power to get you anywhere in a hurry, so overtakes need to be carefully judged.

The car does have a button to run in full electric mode too, but it’s not long before the battery depletes and the car reverts to hybrid configuration.

Unlike some other continuously variable transmissions, the Corolla’s unit isn’t overly thrashy and doesn’t cause undue engine noise to drone through the cabin. It’s a little different to traditional torque convertor automatics, in that the power delivery does exhibit a slight stretchy feel in some situations.

Though perhaps not as dynamic as its styling would have you believe, the Corolla can be a bit of a fun steer with a nice and direct steering feel. The straight-line speed won’t have anyone losing their hat, but it can be an entertaining car to sling around connecting corners when you’re further afield.

The ride control is excellent over speed bumps and across changing road surfaces. It’s a comfortable car that’s perfectly suited to the suburban landscape.

At a top level, the Toyota Corolla still manages to tick a lot of boxes for the everyday Australian, even in its 12th generation. But at well over $35,000 once on the road, there are alternatives out there.

That price could have you in the more powerful Hyundai i30 N Line or the similarly stylish Mazda 3.

Even still, neither of those model lines is available with a hybrid powertrain, which will ensure lower ownership costs into the future. It might come at a higher price point, but the stylish and equipped interior, efficient powertrain, and satisfying drive experience will find favour with many.

It’s no surprise it remains as the segment bestseller and king of small cars.