2015 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V - A Game Changer ?

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Introduction


The 11th generation Toyota Corolla Altis is available in three variants which is the 1.8E, 1.8G and 2.0V. The entry level 1.8E starts at RM120k, while the top of the range 2.0V is priced at RM138k. In terms of pricing I would say that the Corolla Altis is on the pricey side take for example the base model 1.8E which starts at RM120k, it is RM12k more expensive than the base model Civic which retails at RM108k.

Besides that, some its Korean counter parts like the all new Kia Cerato offer better specs with the starting price of RM76k which is almost half of the price compared to the base version of the 1.8E Corolla Altis.

Specifications for 2015 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V

  • Price: RM134, 341.34 (OTR price including GST with insurance)
  • Engine: 3ZR-FE 2.0-litre VVTi
  • Power: 145hp at 6,200rpm
  • Torque: 187Nm at 3,600rpm
  • Transmission: Super CVT-i with 7-speed Sports Sequential Shift
  • Safety: Driver and Front Passenger airbags, ISOFOX (rear only), ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC)
  •  Origin: Fully imported from Thailand


Exterior of the Corolla Altis


Styling wise, the 2015 Toyota Corolla Altis looks much sharper and aggressive compared to its predecessor, which should appeal to the target market it aims to capture. The Corolla Altis features LED projector headlights with integrated daytime running lights, five piece aerokit and 17-inch alloy wheels enhance the car’s athletic looks even further. We would even go up to the extent of stating it as one of the most handsome offerings in its category.



Interior of the Corolla Altis


The overall interior design is modern and ergonomic, but one major let down is with the steering wheel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is okay to hold on to, but somehow it looks cheap compared the overall cabin quality.

The top of the line 2.0V Altis comes with a DVD multimedia system with a seven-inch touchscreen display to keep you entertained all time, but do note that the navigation is offered as an option. Front and rear parking sensors along with the reverse camera makes parking easier. Besides that, there are also other features that make living with it easy such as a smart entry system, an engine start/stop button and 60:40 splitting rear seats.




Driveability of the Corolla Altis


The 2.0V Corolla Altis is not a powerhouse by any means as the naturally-aspirated engine produces a modest output of 145Hp and 187Nm of Torque.Eventhough it uses the same engine as the previous generation Corolla Altis, it performs on par with its modern competitors.

As for the transmission of the Corolla Altis, its works surprisingly well far better than you’d think a CVT has a right to. The ‘seven-speed’ CVT handles the available power fantastically, fully exploiting the engine’s limited flexibility in a tremor-free way. It barely feels like a CVT unit, in fact, running a well-simulated shift pattern by default.

In addition, we are very pleased with the smooth and quiet transmission that is found on the Corolla Altis as compared to most modern cars such as the Honda Civic. As most CVT found in Honda cars tends to generate noise during initial acceleration. because the CVT tries to adjust the engine speed. This could hamper an effect of a pleasant drive especially for day to day driving as such noises can be irritating, specifically when the noise is compared to the sound of slipping clutch comes from a manual transmission.

Fuel Consumption of the Corolla Altis

Throughout the drive, the Corolla Altis manages an average fuel consumption of 11.3km/Litre, over a distance of nearly 300km with a mix of urban and highway traffic.


Summary


The Corolla Altis fairs badly in terms of safety features as it only comes with two SRS airbags as standard. To make matters worst, UMW Toyota Motor offers a RM4,000 Additional Safety Package option, which is a first for Toyota. I would say Toyota should offer the safety option as a standard feature across all its variants since the Corolla Altis isn’t price competitively in the market.

Over the course of history, Toyota has proved that it has been able to make reliable car time and time again. However, I would say that the pricing for the Corolla Altis is too steep and would not be a value for money car. However if you’re a consumer that is more focused on the reliability of the car other than the pricing than the Corolla Altis would be the car for you.

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