Which corolla should I buy.

[ChachaSwiss]

Hi everyone, 

I'm planning to buy my first expensive car and could use some advice. I’m currently driving a 2007 Honda Jazz but have been looking at a 2020/2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Excel. I’m particularly interested in fuel efficiency combined with a premium look. 

My daily commute is quite short—around 1.8 miles each way to work—and with my Honda Jazz, I typically refuel about every 10 days. Since I’m new to hybrid cars, I was wondering how often I might need to refuel the Corolla Hybrid under similar usage. 

I know Toyota has a great reputation for hybrids, but I’d appreciate any insights or advice you can share. Also any advice on maintaining one would be great. Thanks in advance! 

[TonyHSD]

Buy the 1.8 engine and not the 2.0. 
With this short commute hybrid might not be the best if you only use the car for that short time. How long does it take to travel these 2 miles a day? If anything less than 20 min you may have 12v Battery issues with the time. 
Also if the size it’s not a number one priority you may look into Yaris hybrid 1.5 or even Aygo X cvt or manual, manual is the better variant. These are ultra efficient small and basic cars and without been a hybrids, future proof without any potential Battery issues or worries. 

[Mojo1010]

As above hybrid isn't good for you and it isn't cheap, an aygo x or even a normal Aygo is better. 

[AndrueC]

I moved from a 2015 CVT Jazz to a 2019 Corolla. The 1.8 has a bit more low down torque but is lacking at the top end. Overall fuel consumption has worked out 15% lower but there is less internal space.

[taxidriver50005]

I'd recommend walking or even cycling... Ebikes included.... A taxi would be far cheaper than running a car for this daily commute... Or as above.. Small none hybrid... Daughter has a suzuki swift 1.2 which achieves 54mpg on a similar commute.. Costs less to insure or purchase and no hybrid Battery to worry about. 

Hybrids only really make sense for higher mileage users as there still expensive and have potential if unlikely for high repair costs. 

[ChachaSwiss]

3 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

Buy the 1.8 engine and not the 2.0. 
With this short commute hybrid might not be the best if you only use the car for that short time. How long does it take to travel these 2 miles a day? If anything less than 20 min you may have 12v battery issues with the time. 
Also if the size it’s not a number one priority you may look into Yaris hybrid 1.5 or even Aygo X cvt or manual, manual is the better variant. These are ultra efficient small and basic cars and without been a hybrids, future proof without any potential battery issues or worries. 

It takes me just over five minutes to get to work. However, I’ll be sharing the car with my mum, who will use it three times a week to commute to her workplace, which is five miles each way.

The car will serve as a family vehicle, including trips from Bristol to London three times a year.

[Heidfirst]

4 hours ago, ChachaSwiss said:

 but have been looking at a 2020/2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Excel. I’m particularly interested in fuel efficiency combined with a premium look. 

 

& if, after the above, you are still looking at a Corolla what is it about the Excel that particularly floats your boat?

I would suggest that something with smaller wheels/higher sidewalls is probably better for both economy & ride (as well as better protecting your alloys from kerbing).

[badlywornroy]

I 2nd what Heidfirst said -

" I would suggest that something with smaller wheels/higher sidewalls is probably better for both economy & ride (as well as better protecting your alloys from kerbing).

Better economy on smaller wheels and I didn't like the ride on my Design 17" wheels, I dread to think how the excels 18" wheels ride on Uk's broken roads ?

[Corolly Poly]

42 minutes ago, Heidfirst said:

& if, after the above, you are still looking at a Corolla what is it about the Excel that particularly floats your boat?

I would suggest that something with smaller wheels/higher sidewalls is probably better for both economy & ride (as well as better protecting your alloys from kerbing).

I might be biased but the 18 inch Excel wheels have a premium look and the rim protection on the standard tyres looks pretty effective unless you batter a kirb pretty hard. 

[Auris James]

Consider the 1.2 turbo petrol corolla. They no longer make these new but used ones about.

 

[ChachaSwiss]

2 hours ago, Heidfirst said:

& if, after the above, you are still looking at a Corolla what is it about the Excel that particularly floats your boat?

I would suggest that something with smaller wheels/higher sidewalls is probably better for both economy & ride (as well as better protecting your alloys from kerbing).

It has a more premium appearance and a superior finish overall. However, if you believe a 16-inch wheel would offer better fuel efficiency, I’m open to considering that option. The price difference I’ve noticed is around £3,000 to £4,000. Additionally, the roads in England, particularly in Bristol, are in poor condition, which might also influence the decision.

[sportse]

I have 16’s on my Corolla, they’re a good size tyre for the poor roads. I also had them in a previous car as well. 
 

On my auris excel I had 17’s, they’re not as comfortable to drive but do give a bit more grip when cornering. I’ve also had 17’s on another car. 
 

On my auris I could never break above 50mpg, the bigger tyres do reduce fuel efficiency. Honda used to publish mpg figures for all the individual trim variations on their cars, so you could see the drop of 5mpg when having a car with bigger wheels. 
 

if you want comfort, the 16’s are the ones to go for. Tyres are cheaper too. 
 

For more sporty looks/driving I’ve found 17’s to be ok but wouldn’t want to go any higher myself with the bad roads. 

[Heidfirst]

14 hours ago, Corolly Poly said:

I might be biased but the 18 inch Excel wheels have a premium look and the rim protection on the standard tyres looks pretty effective unless you batter a kirb pretty hard. 

Bearing in mind that the op is looking at a 20/21 car I don't think that the design is the same as current.

& sadly, from personal experience I must disagree with your statement about the efficiency of the rim protection on the standard tyres ... 😞

If the op was looking at a TS I would also suggest not forgetting to look at Suzuki Swaces.

 

[Tommy X]

Ayyub, your current car is a Honda Jazz, have you considered the Honda Jazz Hybrid ?  

[TonyHSD]

The look of a bigger wheels on Corolla its strictly individual preference. 
I like the 16” wheels and tyres how they look too.
They are by no mean small or anything, because when you put them next to a 17 and 18 they all has same overall outside diameter, same poke out , same track with but the smaller ones has more rubber than the larger.
These are all important characteristics for better performance, efficiency and comfort. The real deal Corolla gr available abroad even has more chunkier tyres and wheels than the top uk specs models without been anything sport. 
The uk eu stupidity about large wheels low profile tyres made manufacturers offer these to fulfil customers preferences. Even Toyota chief executive has publicly announced- the larger wheels low profile tyres is only for the look” . 
I don’t really mind different people like different things but Toyota uk should see that a large amount of customers prefer smaller,  ore sensible size wheels and offer this as an option in any trim level. For example excel on 16”. 
That was the case with Prius gen4 and most likely because of the taxi trade preference. 

[miks]

no idea why ppl talking ill of hybrid on short rides. my driving is 90% city with 10-30min rides at a time. hybrid averages at 5.5L/100km while my nissan qasqai 1.2turbo averaged to 9ish. not to mention how much faster the hybrid is from complete stop

 

[TonyHSD]

39 minutes ago, miks said:

no idea why ppl talking ill of hybrid on short rides. my driving is 90% city with 10-30min rides at a time. hybrid averages at 5.5L/100km while my nissan qasqai 1.2turbo averaged to 9ish. not to mention how much faster the hybrid is from complete stop

 

Battery charging issues, fail to start, etc

No one says hybrids aren’t any good for short trips or town drives, they are excellent but if a Toyota hybrid been used on short trips only less than 20 min each time the car 12v Battery will suffer premature failure. 

[ChachaSwiss]

22 hours ago, Tommy X said:

Ayyub, your current car is a Honda Jazz, have you considered the Honda Jazz Hybrid ?  

I’ve come across a few Honda Jazz hybrids, but based on word of mouth and YouTube reviews, Toyota is often regarded as the most reliable when it comes to hybrid systems. 

[taxidriver50005]

I think what people are saying is for very short journeys a hybrid may not be the best option... In the same way a modern diesel doesn't like short journeys (PARTICULATE FILTER BLOCKING) 

But if your all set on a hybrid a Toyota hybrid is the best option 

[sportse]

4 hours ago, ChachaSwiss said:

I’ve come across a few Honda Jazz hybrids, but based on word of mouth and YouTube reviews, Toyota is often regarded as the most reliable when it comes to hybrid systems. 

I had one of the latest Jazz hybrids and got rid of it - I wasn't impressed with their hybrid systems compared to Toyota, and had endless problems with the infotainment system requiring thousands of pounds worth of warranty repairs that didn't work.

Plus the lane departure 'assistance' definitely had to be turned off every trip. On several Toyotas I've had I leave it on as it is a much better system,.

[Flatcoat]

Prius PHEV? All your local journeys will be in EV mode with ICE for the long trips. 

[Red_Corolla]

I'm aware that there may be disability involved. If not, though, 1.8 miles is a wonderful distance for commuting on foot: 30 minutes each way is just far enough to support good health without expending too much time or energy on top of a busy day at work. And infinite mpg! 🙂

[TrackLink]

2 hours ago, Red_Corolla said:

I'm aware that there may be disability involved. If not, though, 1.8 miles is a wonderful distance for commuting on foot: 30 minutes each way is just far enough to support good health without expending too much time or energy on top of a busy day at work. And infinite mpg! 🙂

That’s precisely my commute - I’m fortunate to live close to my office and it’s only a half an hour’s walk each way to and from it. It’s a great way to incorporate a bit of exercise into the working day and get some fresh air. I’ll do it come rain or shine as I definitely feel the health benefits. Reckon I’ve only driven in on 3 or 4 days in the 7 years I’ve worked there.

[AisinW]

@ChachaSwiss1.8 miles is way to short for any car. You should just walk or bike. You will wear any car even if it is an extreemely reliable Toyota hybrid. It is way too short for one trip and really bad for the engines and engine oil. Fuel dilution, water condensation in the intake and EGRs. The catalytic converter is not even active yet for that distance. 

If you have to do that, then you should change the oil every 5000 miles/6 months to reduce the wear from extreem short trips. 

[Heidfirst]

If you must have a car do you have a driveway/parking space where you could charge a full electric or plug-in hybrid car? 

A 2nd hand Nissan Leaf or similar could be a good solution.