Offering unsurpassed value for money,
a revised version of the outgoing Toyota Corolla has been slotted in below the
new-generation Corolla range. Dubbed the Corolla Quest it is destined to make a
larger car more accessible to many family-orientated motorists.
With the introduction of the Corolla Quest,
Toyota has set the cat among the pigeons, offering a spacious yet affordable
family sedan without compromising on Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability,
quality and durability. If anything, these traits have been taken to the next
level.
Price-wise, the Corolla Quest slots in
between the sub-B segment Etios and the new-generation C-segment Corolla.
Toyota has thus created an all-new sub-C segment:it is offering the Quest at
B-segment prices while providing all the size and performance advantages of a
C-segment vehicle. This will reinforce the role of the new generation Corolla –
offering the latest styling and technology, and packed with luxury and
comfortttenhancing features – as the flagship sedan in Toyota’s line-up.
The
Corolla Quest is almost identical in appearance to the outgoing Corolla. On the
outside, the Quest Plus is distinguished by alloy wheels and body-colour door
handles and mirror housings
Still, the Corolla Quest is no
stripped-down car, and there is no compromise in terms of comfort, convenience
or safety. Staying on top of the technology game, the three new models are
available with the same fuel-efficient Dual VVT-i 1,6-litre engine that powers
the all-new Corolla, to ensure that they benefit from enhanced torque at low
engine speeds, low emissions and good fuel economy.
The top Quest Plus manual is distinguished
by a number of cosmetic enhancements not seen on the entry-level Quest manual
or the Quest AT. These include alloy wheels instead of steel wheels with
hubcaps; the fitment of a full four-speaker radio/CD sound system with aux/USB
jack; and body-coloured door handles and rear view mirrors. All models feature
an uncompromising list of comfort features – power steering with
tilt/telescopic adjustment; central locking; air con; multi-info on-board
computer; and safety kit that includes dual airbags, Isofix, ABS, BAS and EBD.
Luggage capacity is 450 litres, and the fuel tank carries 55 litres.
A
visual distinction of the Corolla Quest at the rear is the use of clear-lens
light clusters.
The all-new Corolla and the Corolla Quest
are by no means competitor models. The Quest variants address affordability and
will appeal to a wide market audience, while the new Corolla’s emphasis is on
aspirations and Toyota’s famed principle of waku doki – the feel good factor of
owning and driving a new car. The Quest will appeal to family motorists who are
responsible and smart, who place a premium on low-cost entry into the
new-vehicle market and who value low running and servicing costs. Other
important target markets are fleet owners; and, in various countries in Africa,
buyers for whom value and affordability, the combination of spaciousness,
comfort, handling quality, durability and reliability; and the cachet of the
Corolla heritage are key.
Toyota’s research has shown that the
typical Corolla customer doesn’t conform to market norms. Despite the rise of
the five-door hatch, not to mention the compact SUV, the popularity of the
Corolla’s three-box booted sedan configuration has never waned – a feat
attributable, no doubt, to the user-friendly practicality of this body style.
The
interior and dash controls of the Corolla Quest have been carried over
unchanged from the the tenth generation Corolla.
The Corolla Quest is available at very affordable
prices, notably because Toyota was able to contain production costs via the a
mortisation of the investment it made in the previous-generation Corolla (now
Quest) and the sharing of selected componentry between the Quest and new
Corolla (the two cars have the same types of engines and seats, for example).
The intelligent selection of features also kept costs down – exterior trim is
mostly matt black; the headliner treatment and the carpeting are derived from
IMV-based models, which are also built locally; the overhead console,
map-reading light and vanity lamp in the sun visor have been removed; and the
rear seat is fixed as opposed to asymmetrically split. The savings on
production costs are therefore huge, and have been passed on to the buyers of
the new Quest.
Essential info
The Corolla Quest, Quest AT and Quest Plus
come with one engine only, the new generation 90kW/154N.m 1,6-litre petrol
mated to a six speed manual or four-speed auto. A three-year/45 000km service
plan is standard with the three-year/100 000km warranty.
Pricing for the new model is as follows:
·
1,6 Quest – R174 900
·
1,6 Quest AT – R198 900
·
1,6 Quest Plus – R197 900.
The exterior colour choices are white,
silver, black and light blue, and all interiors are dark grey.
