Deciding on 1.8 or 2.0

[Edgie70]

Hi all , I'm still on the hunt for a Corolla , I've read a lot on here about the 1.8 and 2.0 , I'm not sure if a 2.0 would be a bit over kill for my needs , I basically do a 3 mile commute to work and back on normal roads and a 40mph stretch , I go on a motorway twice a month at the most and even then I tootle at 60mph ! I do however like a bit of power but I'm not a boy racer ( I'm 53 ) I've read that the 2.0 is pretty fast and good acceleration, a few people say the 1.8 is slow , is this really the case with the 1.8 ?? Does it take and age to get speed up on a motor way or accelerate away from a junction ? I know I need to go drive one but I thought I'd ask you thoughtful owners your opinion , thanks .

[Mojo1010]

Gen 4 1.8 is 122ps, Gen 5 1.8 is 138/140 ps. The 2.0 I have heard is very responsive, so I would say it is overkill for your requirements. I have no experience of these corollas, others will give better opinions of actually owning one. 

[TonyHSD]

I have old Gen3  1.8 hybrid with 136bhp and it’s perfectly fine and I do lots of motorways. The car drives effortlessly, it’s not a fast car but does the job well, pleasant and efficient while you stay within the limits. Any fast drives over 80mph constant high speed like on German autobahn you be better off with other cars. , it’s just how these hybrids work.
Not sure if gen 4 is any slower as is less powerful but here it is a clip that shows the difference. We need to note that when Battery is low the car will only respond quick  if it’s pushed harder otherwise will be loud and not much acceleration, this apply to all Toyota hybrids with any engine size. 

 

[AndrueC]

The 1.8 is more than adequate for a sensible and thoughtful driver. The 2.0 might be less stressful if you do a lot of motorway miles and like to sit in the outside lanes battling your way along I suppose.

Anyone who claims to 'need' more than 90 bhp can only be a poor driver. Either Corolla version significantly exceeds this benchmark.

[JohnCorolla27]

I have a Gen 5 2 Litre, purely for the fact i travel to see my Mum in Lincolnshire from London twice a month. The 2.0 is quieter (extra sound proofing) on the Motorway and just has a little more grunt. Hybrids aren't at their best on Motorways but still achieve 55mpg at 75mph which isn't bad. Urban ranges from 60-85mpg depend on trip length and traffic. It is a close run decision between the 1.8 and 2.0 it really depends on the actual driving life of the vehicle, a little more Motorway trips then the 2.0 is your best bet

[Basil-BarryC]

In the end I decided to go for the 1.8 after test driving both. I have to say I found the 1.8 more than adequate for my use. Even on a long trip North on the motorways I found it very good. All in all I’m very pleased as this is my first hybrid of any make.

All I can suggest is find a good dealer who will let you test drive both vehicles to see which best suits your requirements.

[Roy231]

Good choice i find my gen4 meets my needs too with only occasional motorway travel, and as TonyHSD said acceleration depends on S.O.C of Battery as when full it can be quite quick of the mark, actually both Excel models 1.8 and 2.0 have better soundproofing and acoustic glass which makes for a more relaxing drive.

 

[Edgie70]

Thank you once again for your replies , I've  never owned a hybrid but I have a basic idea of how it works , petrol engine charges the hybrid Battery ? If driving all the time using just electric how does the hybrid Battery get full charge so it has maximum acceleration? Can you drive just using the engine ? 

[AndrueC]

10 hours ago, Edgie70 said:

Thank you once again for your replies , I've  never owned a hybrid but I have a basic idea of how it works , petrol engine charges the hybrid battery ? If driving all the time using just electric how does the hybrid battery get full charge so it has maximum acceleration? Can you drive just using the engine ? 

There are different versions but the Toyota version (called HSD - Hybrid Synergy Drive) can most simply be thought of as a car with two propulsion systems.

* An internal combustion engine (1.8 or 2.0) that operates in a high efficiency mode called 'Atkinson Cycle'.

* An electric motor that doesn't produce much power.

As you drive the car will 'mix and match' using a proportion of each of the power sources to achieve the best overall efficiency.

Under very light loads that can result in the ICE switching off and the car using just the electric motor. But as it doesn't have much power and a fairly small Battery that won't last long. Mostly the electric motor just helps the ICE operate more efficiently.

* The electric motor can avoid or delay having to increase the load on the engine thus reducing petrol consumption.

* Perhaps perversely when used as a generator the electric motor can put more load on the engine in order to charge the Battery. This sounds bad but ICE have a sweet spot for efficiency and whilst you might be burning more petrol than is needed to propel the car more energy is being extracted from the fuel than would otherwise be the case and the surplus energy is stored in the Battery for later use. Think of it like an investment or saving for a rainy day 😉

[Trewithy]

Edgie70,

Don't expect to drive far using EV mode, it is not an electric vehicle it is a hybrid and as Andrue says it will run on a mix of Battery + engine or engine alone or Battery alone.  The best thing to do is just put it in Drive and move off. Let the car decide which power source or mix of power sources to use.  Toyota have years of hybrid experience and the car is programmed to be efficient.  The only time  I use EV mode is when I reverse out of the garage and off the drive.

I'm sure you will love it.  Happy motoring.

[Edgie70]

33 minutes ago, Trewithy said:

Edgie70,

Don't expect to drive far using EV mode, it is not an electric vehicle it is a hybrid and as Andrue says it will run on a mix of battery + engine or engine alone or battery alone.  The best thing to do is just put it in Drive and move off. Let the car decide which power source or mix of power sources to use.  Toyota have years of hybrid experience and the car is programmed to be efficient.  The only time  I use EV mode is when I reverse out of the garage and off the drive.

I'm sure you will love it.  Happy motoring.

Thank you , I definitely need to go and drive one , I started off wanting a 1.2 turbo but not sure how good that would be with it being a well built car and not a tin can like some other cars with a small engine 

[APS]

If you buy secondhand, pick whichever you get the best deal on, in the right spec and the right colour. From what you describe the 1.8 will be adequate for your needs. On the other hand, you will not feel like you have too much power in the 2.0. Both will be good. 👍 

 

[TonyHSD]

Exactly want I wanted to say too. If you are after a used one just pick the car that is best preserved. Even 1.2 t can be a cracking buy if you live outside  big cities manual car is very engaging and rewarding to drive. 
Efficiency here will be in the following region 

1.2t - 40mpg 

1.8h - 60mpg 

2.0h - 50mpg 

all +/- 5mpg variation according to seasons and use. 👍

[Willss]

Agree with what others have said. 1.8 should be fine in terms of acceleration and a fair bit more efficient. I found the 2.0 a bit noisier but I didn't drive them both on the same road on the same day so just an opinion!

If you're used to fast acceleration the 1.8 may disappoint. If you aren't fussed the 1.8 probably makes most sense. 

[davidif]

14 hours ago, Willss said:

Agree with what others have said. 1.8 should be fine in terms of acceleration and a fair bit more efficient. I found the 2.0 a bit noisier but I didn't drive them both on the same road on the same day so just an opinion!

If you're used to fast acceleration the 1.8 may disappoint. If you aren't fussed the 1.8 probably makes most sense. 

Having had both (also both in Excel trim) I'd say that the 2.0 is a good deal quieter.