8 February 2011
As with most Toyotas, when the Corolla and RAV4 models were originally launched no-one doubted they'd sell well - Toyota's pricing tends to see to that.
However that's not to say we thought the models were as good as they could've been.
Given the huge number of Rental Company and fleet sales the Corolla and RAV4 would generate for Toyota New Zealand, we couldn't support their decision to omit Electronic Stability Control from all Corolla models and most RAV4s.
Especially since rivals did the opposite by offering this important safety feature on most, if not all of their comparable models. Less of a concern, rather a missed opportunity, was the lack of diesel options from the popular model's line up.
Toyota now has made an effort to remedy these Corolla/RAV4 shortfalls, by offering new diesel versions that include Toyota's Stability Control, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC).
The Corolla and RAV4 diesels are built to European specifications and little Toyota New Zealand (TNZ) had to call in a few favours with the Japanese to justify their paltry one-car-per-day diesel production needs.
No other country outside of Europe has managed to secure the diesel variants.
It's a shame TNZ couldn't negotiate a VDC package on the petrol models as well. All petrol Corolla and entry-spec petrol RAV4's miss out on VDC, and will be without the safety feature until late 2008 early 2009.
In reality the decision to bring the diesels to market appears to be driven by financial opportunities, rather than a moral conscience. New small to medium diesel sales in NZ tallied 5,500 last year. Apart from Corolla or Rav oilers, Toyota had a 0% share in that piece of the market and naturally want in.
Diesel Corollas will be offered in five-door hatchback configuration only, in 1.4 or 2.0 litres developing 66kW @ 3800rpm or 93kW @ 3600rpm respectively, while the RAV4 receives a 2.2 litre with 100kW @ 3600rpm.
The $33,990 1.4 offers acceptable performance, with all the torque (190Nm @ 1800rpm) needed for the round-town commuting. Usually European manufacturers are lauded for their smooth and quiet diesel technology - Toyota now challenges this notion with the D4D (Direct injection, four-stroke, diesel) power units.
The refined diesel engine complements the Corolla's excellent ride and handling combination. Fans of automatics will be disappointed however as none of the new diesels are available with a self-shifting transmission. Fortunately the 1.4's five-speed manual makes the most of the torque and gear changes aren't as regular as with a petrol vehicle.
As with the petrol Corolla hatch, a 'bridge' style centre console dominates the cabin and isn't as user-friendly as it could be.
Benefits over GX-spec petrol counterpart though include steering wheel mounted audio controls, cruise control and the full compliment of front, side, driver's knee and curtain airbags (Knee and curtain airbags are a $500 option on the petrol GX base model).
300Nm of torque gives the larger capacity 2.0 litre ample pull, and in addition to its broader performance advantages it also picks up a sixth gear, so fuel economy at 5.4 L/100km isn't far off the 1.4's claimed economy of 5.0 L/100km. A gear shift indicator on both models alerts the driver when to change up or down a gear for the most economical results
Considering its $38,990 price tag the 2.0 diesel's steel wheels are a little disappointing. A $2000 option package does offer 16" alloys as well as keyless start, rain sensing windscreen wipers, auto-off headlights, heated exterior mirrors and climate control air conditioning. By this stage however you'll have a $40,000 Corolla with manual gears, although discounts may help bring the price down.
The manual-only situation may also prove a bugbear for RAV4 customers.
Despite the 2.2 litre diesel and its six-speed gearbox making for a very enjoyable drive -thanks to the 310Nm of torque and well spaced gearing - Toyota New Zealand are eager for the development of an automatic version.
Unusually, the wheelbase has been shortened 100mm and the floorpan lowered 20mm for the European market. So the diesel Rav offers slightly less luggage space (down 90 litres to 450 litres) and although the lower lip height aids loading and unloading of luggage, off road ground clearance is also reduced marginally.
The Rav4 diesel is well-stocked with a 6-disc CD changer, unique 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, trip computer, climate control and fog lamps.
Safety features include front, side, curtain and driver's knee airbags, hill start assist and of course the VDC stability control.
Unfortunately Toyota may have picked the wrong time to enter the small-medium diesel market.
On the back of record diesel price increases and Road User Charge hikes, the smaller, economical diesels are disadvantaged more than ever by the Government's RUC regime.
Those - like the Corolla and Rav4 - that command a price premium over equivalent petrol models will struggle to claw it back in annual running costs.
That said, they do provide an enjoyable driving experience and the added benefit of VDC should add value for both fleets and families.