Instead of making a Nitpicker’s Guide, I’ll just tell you about the three things I like, and probably don’t, about the Corolla Altis.

(Images from Toyota PH)

The Toyota Corolla Altis is one of the iconic cars from Toyota that has made a huge impact in the Philippines as Corolla and as Altis. As the middle child of the Vios and the Camry, the Altis offers both the versatility and class of the two siblings. The Corolla Altis offers more than a mid-range option in the sedan market, and even if people say the crossover killed the sedan, the Corolla Altis gives more than the competition in its segment or even to its crossover competitors in its price range.

The Looks

The Corolla Altis looks so aggressive on the get-go, with the new front facia as the largest contributor to this look. The 140 mm ground clearance gives the Corolla Altis a certain impression that it is already on body kits while it’s not. The chrome garnish at the rear of the Corolla Altis is so classy. And even if the new Honda Civic, despite looking like an Accord, is still sportier than the Corolla Altis, the latter gives out a familiar yet refreshing look which combines a little sportiness and style. 

Highlight: There is this blue accent in the badge and headlamps of the 1.8L Hybrid CVT Variant. There are also LED projector headlamps and LED taillights.  

Downside: The GR-S variant should have ditched the chrome door handles to the lower variants to be in-line with the dechromed sporty theme. There are also fake air vents; they’re aesthetically pleasing though. 

The Tech

The Corolla Altis is filled with tech not only for entertainment but also for safety. It has a Pre-collision System which warns you when you are about to collide with a car or object nearby, to also avoid abrupt stopping and braking. There is also A Dynamic Radar Cruise Control which monitors the cars in front and adjusts the cruising speed to create a consistently safe distance. A Lane Tracing Assist that works like a Lane Keep assist, and a Lane Departure Alert. The Corolla Altis also has an Automatic High Beam, 7 airbags, clearance and back sonar, vehicle stability control and a back monitor.

Also, the Corolla Altis has a hybrid variant which uses the energy produced when braking to recharge the hybrid battery. Now isn’t that a peak kind of technology found in race cars particularly in WRC, WEC, and F1 nowadays?

Highlight: Safety features like Toyota Safety Sense

Downside: Reverse camera needs improvement

The Fuel Efficiency

The 1.8 V Hybrid CVT variant has a VVT-I, 4-cylinder in-line DOHC 16 valve engine and an electric motor. The conventional gasoline engine makes just 97 horsepower and 142 Newton meters of torque, and the electric motor which produces about 72 horsepower. This combination produces 11-12 liters in the city, in heavy traffic. A respectable 16 liters in regular driving in the city, while a 27-28 liters in the highway.

Highlight: The 2ZR-FXE engine with the hybrid motor paired with a CVT

Downside: Fuel economy comes with a price; retailed at PhP 1.6 million, the Toyota Corolla Altis is 300,000 more expensive than the 1.6L gasoline engine