Known as the Scion iM before Toyota axed its sub-brand and renamed it the Corolla iM, the brand’s compact hatchback is now in its 12th generation and will make its North America debut in New York next week.
Essentially a rebadged version of the all-new Toyota Auris, the 2019 Corolla is all but identical to its European twin. Its exterior design is described as “a meticulously mixed cocktail of emotive lines, creases and surfaces”, and unlike the latest Auris, it reveals its cabin, too.
The standard 8-inch high-res touchscreen display dominates the dashboard, sitting on top of the air vents and climate control. The car also gets Qi wireless charging, a 7-inch TFT multi-info display in the higher spec, smartphone connectivity, an optional JBL premium sound system, the usual USB and AUX ports and voice recognition, leather upholstery and more.
By switching to the TNGA platform, the 2019 Corolla is now 1.5in (38mm) longer, 1.2in (31mm) wide and 1.0in (25mm) lower than its predecessor, and has a 1.5in (38mm) longer wheelbase. Moreover, it features additional sound-deadening material.
Toyota will offer the all-new Corolla in North America with just one engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit which replaces the old 1.8-liter and is said to be both smaller and lighter. It works paired to a six-speed manual or a new CVT gearbox.
The manufacturer hasn’t released full specs yet, but on the other side of the Atlantic, the new Auris also uses a 2.0-liter unit, as a petrol-electric option rated at 178hp. Still, there’s no ‘hybrid’ badge on the tailgate of the American version, so we’re likely looking at conventional and not a hybrid powertrain.
The new Corolla will go on sale this summer in two grades. The first one is called SE and gets a lot of standard features, including LED lighting units, alloy wheels, single-zone climate control, electronic parking brake and a host of driving assistance equipment.
The XSE adds LED fog lamps, chrome front grille surround, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, unique stitching on the instrument panel, doors and behind the steering wheel, eight-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats, in addition to other options.
We expect additional info to be available at the New York Auto Show at the latest, so you might want to stay tuned for any updates.