Toyota recently released a hybrid version of its popular Corolla Sedan in South Africa.
The Corolla Hybrid’s main competition comes from the same manufacturer, in the form of the recently-updated Prius.
While the Prius might be R157,900 more expensive, it is one of the only other relatively-affordable hybrid sedans on the market.
Below, we see if the Prius is worth that extra spend.
Features
There are plenty of overlaps between the Corolla Hybrid and Prius, but the older sibling’s higher price tag inevitably brings more to the table.
Where the Corolla is fitted with fabric seats, single-zone automatic climate control, a reverse camera, cruise control, and automatic headlights, the Prius comes with leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a reverse camera with guidelines, adaptive cruise control, and automatic headlights with high-beam and levelling assist.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported in both via a 7-inch infotainment display, and both sedans receive a multi-information display in the instrument cluster.
The Corolla does feature a more conventional two-dial layout behind the steering wheel, whereas this whole section was moved to the centre of the Prius’s dash.
Both hybrid Toyotas further receive leather multifunction steering wheels, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and start, and 15-inch alloy wheels – with a full-size spare wheel included in the Prius, too.
While the Corolla Hybrid has run out of features to compete with at this point, the Prius still has plenty up its sleeves.
The Prius offers rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, a heads-up display, an electric boot door, a wireless charger, and two additional 12V power sockets as standard.
It also has a Toyota Connect-enabled infotainment system, as well as the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance package.
Toyota Connect, which is also available in the Corolla, allows an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and displays important vehicle information on your smartphone.
Assistance programmes then comprise a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, ABS with brake assist, pre-collision alert, traction control, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, and seven airbags.
In the Corolla, safety is taken care of by hill assist control, ABS, and seven airbags.
The Corolla Hybrid does pull ahead with a cargo capacity at 470 litres, while the Prius only carries up to a maximum of 264 litres.
Performance
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Prius are both driven by a 1.8-litre, petrol engine producing 72kW and 142Nm – working alongside an electric motor that generates 53kW and 163Nm.
The total system output for both sedans comes in at 90kW. The lower-than-expected power figure can be contributed to transmission reduction losses, said Toyota.
Drive is managed by a CVT transmission and sent to the front wheels in both, too.
Top speed for these hybrids is pinned at 180km/h, while the slightly-lighter Corolla achieves a better combined fuel consumption of 3.5l/100km – compared to 3.7l/100km for the Prius.
Price
The Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Xs has a South African price of R419,900.
The Toyota Prius Hybrid has a South African price of R577,800.
Both models are sold with a 3-year/100,000km warranty, a 6-services/90,000km service plan, and an 8-year/195,000km battery warranty.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Keyword: Corolla Hybrid vs Prius – Toyota sedan showdown