New Toyota Corolla Quest built on success of old winning formula
Back in 2014, a very smart Toyota packaged the then outgoing 10th-generation Toyota Corolla into a more value-focused model badged the Toyota Corolla Quest.
It was a lesson in how to gain more from an older product by re-versioning that product for a changing market, one that was increasingly looking for more value and better pricing in a B-segment sedan.
Since then, the Corolla Quest has been among the top-selling cars in the country finding owners in fleets, taxi companies and of course the now go-to model for Uber and Taxify/Bolt users.
Recipe of previous reintroduction
The Corolla Quest has been introduced and in most ways, follows the recipe of the previous re-introduction. This time, the outgoing 11th-generation Corolla makes way for the Corolla Quest that is on sale with just the 1.8 litre, four-cylinder petrol engine.
It’s said to be more satisfying a drive than the 1.6-litre mill due to its power delivery being achieved lower in the rev range. It develops 103kW and 173Nm of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is offered as standard across three-specification grades with a continuously variable transmission as an option. Quoted fuel consumptions figures of 7.0l/100km for the manual version and down to 6.3l/100km for the CVT.
To hit showrooms in March 2020
On offer from March 2020, the Quest is available in Standard, Prestige or Exclusive trim.
The Standard trim is really the functional, no-frills version. It offers 15-inch steel wheels, matte black bumper trim and basic interior dash and seat trim in black and blue combination. It’s the spec mostly likely to be found in the rental fleets and companies.
Prestige trim includes a leather and cloth combination seating, slightly more detail on the stitching, as well as colour coded treatment on the exterior excluding the bumper finish.
The Exclusive receives a full colour coded exterior treatment as well as a full leather interior and both of these, the Prestige and Exclusive models sit on 16-inch alloys.
Safety remains, despite cheaper price tag
Despite the price reduction, safety specifications remain reasonable for a vehicle playing in this space.
Airbags are standard across the range including driver, passenger and knee airbags but the Prestige and Exclusive spec also includes side airbags.
Active safety features include ABS with Electronic Brake Force distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Assist, automatic door-locking as well as Isofix child-anchors and LED daytime running lights.
The features list
Standard convenience and comfort features include electric windows, steering wheel mounted controls for volume, track/station changes and the display computer.
Infotainment in the Standard car is a simple radio/CD set up with auxilary cables and four speakers. Prestige models bump up the sound system to a six-speaker setup as well as a Bluetooth-enabled infotainment with DVD as well. A reversing camera and cruise control also enter the fray.
On the Exclusive, Toyota has added a TFT digital display, keyless entry and start as well as LED headlamps and rain sensing wipers.
Toyota has considered this model introduction just as carefully as the last time it made a similar decision. In order to offer the model at a competitive price, they have reached into their large network to bring it altogether and take full advantage of quantities of scale and technology and parts sharing.
Expect strong sales success
As an example, the Quest will be built in the same factory where Hilux and Fortuner units are being assembled and as such, the headliner material, as well as some of the interior dash spec, has been used from the same bins.
Starting from R249 900 for the base model, expect the strong sales success to continue and expect to be seated in one from March, when you make use of your Uber or Bolt service.
Full line-up with pricing
| 1.8 Quest | R249 900 |
| 1.8 Quest CVT | R270 400 |
| 1.8 Quest Prestige | R286 500 |
| 1.8 Quest Prestige CVT | R296 800 |
| 1.8 Quest Exclusive | R307 400 |
| 1.8 Quest Exclusive CVT | R317 700 |
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