Very fuel-efficient & surprisingly fun to drive! (Toyota Corolla ZR hybrid hatch 2023 review)

[@debbiegriffiths568]

I have one on order, I can't wait for it to arrive. It's my retirement car and 1st brand new car. Thanks for the video.

[@joelebloggs7657]

I've got a '21 ZR hybrid - I often get 3.6l/100km around town once I've racked up over 20 kms of distance. I love the car - don't need a big vehicle. Love the HUD, and the seats!

[@johnoneill1011]

We are replacing a 2008 Levin ZR Corolla after 15 years of almost trouble free ownership (alternator failed after 11 years). This 2023 Corolla ZR Hybrid was an obvious choice, but creates 2 issues in pursuit of improved fuel economy: it's very hard for oldies to get in/out due to lower roof height and lack of ground clearance is an issue over traffic calming measures and steep driveway gutters. But Toyota still wins, as Yaris Cross Hybrid (Urban) solves both issues for about $4k less. It's identical in length (4220mm) to our 2008 Corolla, which will help with parking. Being a second car, that $4k should cover 7 years of fuel @ 5000Km/yr.

[@johnoneill1011]

Correction: Yaris Cross Urban is 40mm shorter (4180 vs 4220mm) than the 2008 Corolla.

[@MrrNacho]

I got a 2020 ZR hybrid corolla here in New Zealand and i absolutely love it 2 tone as well. What a beautiful looking car it is, the front end looks absolutely stunning, the wheels looks really nice and that interior 😍 most the materials are soft touch it really is a nice place to be. Yes is not fast by any means but its so much fun trying to achieve a better driving score each time, and looking at all the gadgets on the screen and seeing what the hybrid system is doing. I love it to bits, i see myself keeping it easy till at least 100k kms it has 30k at the moment. And this new 2023 corolla looks almost the same, very minor changes on the exterior and almost none on the interior except for the dash and the screen which im not really bothered. Great car

[@gregj3515]

I guess the wagon is available in New Zealand...

[@subazealand9158]

​@@gregj3515 yes, as NZ new (base model) or the JDM import. I have a 2019 import Touring WxB (high spec in Japan). Love it!

[@GAZZA55]

Yes i have the 2020 ZR as well in new zealand a very good car, will be getting the new 2023 model should be here in June/ July should be fun. coming in the new orange color.

[@MrrNacho]

@@GAZZA55 is yours a hybrid?? And what petrol do you use?

[@GAZZA55]

yes its a hybrid I use 91 or 95. fuel.@@MrrNacho

[@recursion.]

what's going on? at 0:53, 1:10. 1:30, 1:38, 1:48, 2:48... 😂😂

[@v8racedriver2003]

what is the highway consumption ?

[@unverifiedusername]

I ordered a ‘23 spec ZR Hybrid months ago and it’s due to arrive in the next week or two - and I only just learned it doesn’t have a spare tyre. That’s actually concerning. Makes sense in Japan. Australia? Not so much.

[@brendantaylor2623]

Why does that make sense in Japan?

[@MikeyyPham]

well BMW and MINI has never had "spare tyre" in the boot for almost a decade

[@alanclarkeau]

​@@MikeyyPhamwhich is one major reason I walked away.

[@MrBrendenthomson]

Is the transmission a CVT or an e-cvt and does anyone know if any Toyota hybrids in Australia come with an e-cvt?

[@alanclarkeau]

All TOYOTA Hybrids are e-CVT. Not a belt in sight. Hybrid Synergy Drive, which joins both electric motors & the petrol engine, through an epicyclic gearset to an output to the wheels. Simple system, super reliable, will last the life of the car with minimal maintenance. Unlike Belt CVTs & Dual Clutches which can be money-pits.

[@grantgray8688]

Have one on order since February 2022 and still waiting now they are saying maybe August 2023 So really can’t get to excited based on a longer than 18 month wait!

[@oggyoggy1299]

It’s madness. I ordered a Prado last March. Coming up to the 12 month anniversary in wait time. One day…

[@robcig]

What a great review, I’d certainly buy one as a second car.

[@LisaLiu-gx3ry]

Where is the unique peacock black colour? and why have they removed the rear air conditioning?

[@masterjejep1386]

Could you do a comparison corolla hybrid vs civic hybrid

[@stephiet3563]

Does it have park assist

[@spiro5327]

Why does the ZR sedan have a sunroof and the hatch doesn't ???

[@snoopy13946]

I hired a non hybrid for a week in NZ and achieved 5L/100km. Can’t see how the hybrid is worth it unless it gives you an extra acceleration boost from start.

[@chasingcars]

Well, it does give you that nice little EV torque burst around town, yeah. And if you mainly drive in the burbs, it’s very difficult to get 5L/100km from the 2.0 petrol, while 4L/100km from the hybrid is easily achievable.

[@Roadrunnerz45]

@@chasingcars true. every time i have rented a petrol corolla i get over 6 possibly 5.9 when fully highway driving. im under 4 in my hybrid sedan after 3 months of driving.

[@mackeymichael]

@@chasingcars I got 7.1/100 Km when l hired one for a week in outer suburban driving

[@kjx4086]

NZ has 1.8 CVT variant, 2018 we hired a previous gen sedan averaged 7L from Christchurch around South island back to Christchurch.

[@GAZZA55]

They are good I can drive nearly 3 km on EV.mode with a fully charged battery staying around the 50 KPH range. Toyota New Zealand is dropping the petrol only model and all toyotas coming into NZ. will be Hybrid.

[@b.p.r.]

Do you have to pay monthly to use the touchscreen?

[@chasingcars]

Lol

[@b.p.r.]

@@chasingcars i’m glad you think it’s funny, but I’m being serious

[@MrrNacho]

​@@b.p.r.this aint a tesla, toyota don't rule like that (well at least not for now)

[@b.p.r.]

@@MrrNacho Complimentary · $4.95 per month · Complimentary · $9.95 per month · $12.50 per month · Complimentary · $9.95 per month · $12.50 per month.

[@lukelawrence6007]

But 40k for Toyota corolla is madness but i have 2020 corolla best cars ever mate but im gonna upgrade it in the future

[@kleinert92]

Wish they had these in America

[@gremlinking5640]

Especially at that price. $2000 US less than the base model cost in the US

[@Exxodus74]

I got my 22 zr hybrid, which has all the 23 upgrades, but it’s missing the hybrid badge on the engine. The dealer played dumb and said Toyota doesn’t stock it. I’m in wa

[@chasingcars]

There actually is a shortage of that part strangely enough

[@Exxodus74]

@@chasingcars cool, Might have have to be Facebook marketplace then

[@Exxodus74]

And I agree with seats, they are comfortable and supportive

[@bazinga615]

This a known issue and Toyota has issued a warranty service bulletin to all their dealers. Follow up with them again. The first batch of MY23 came in that way.

[@Exxodus74]

@@bazinga615 thx, dealer sorted it when I had it in for another service bulletin

[@zaamuro8408]

If only the Honda HEV was a tiny bit cheaper...that car is a full 1.5 seconds quicker to 100. The back seat space is enormous in comparison.

[@chasingcars]

More than 2sec quicker. From our 0-100km/h performance testing logs: Civic HEV hatch: 6.99 sec Corolla SX hybrid hatch: 8.98 sec Corolla ZR hybrid hatch: 9.29 sec

[@fendyfelani3714]

You can not compare Honda to Toyota.. they are different level..

[@174brett]

That 8" infotainment screen looks like it's from 2017.

[@TopGear543]

Indeed it should be the 10 inch from the Corolla Cross

[@jurajsekerajs]

In Europe is has 10.5 inch as standard on all but basic trim

[@TopGear543]

@@jurajsekerajssadly not in Australia

[@whatthe6532]

The greatest car of any Toyota. Tells us nothing. How does it compare in class.

[@snoopy13946]

Which is better, the hybrid or non hybrid?

[@chasingcars]

On the whole, hybrid

[@michaelrx]

Surely you'll be waiting 2 years for one of these

[@chasingcars]

It can be long but you can also get lucky through cancelled orders etc, especially if you stay close in touch with your dealer

[@seunjinbing]

@@chasingcars A cancelled order is how I got my ZR hybrid sedan. Had to change the colour, but beats waiting another two years (?!)

[@mjkmob]

No 5 months in Europe.

[@JLaboss65]

you do not understand how badly i want this vehicle, not sold in USA

[@xili0966]

nice car if you can find one

[@sixpooltube]

It's absolutely unacceptable that this isn't offered in the United States. WTF Toyota?!

[@rickdias1981]

Like the car and features, just not the price. I'd prefer the sedan version coz more 2nd row seats and slightly bigger boot space.

[@HughesyTech]

Great looking but slow as shit.

[@alanclarkeau]

The ZR Corolla Sedan lists that it comes with a Temporary Spare wheel.

[@thereshomontjane851]

i love toyota corolla

[@slugger7440]

The JBL seems to be getting planned.

[@oohmychloe]

sad the corollas dont have sunroofs

[@seunjinbing]

Get a ZR hybrid sedan if you want a sunroof (which is what I did). Or pay $5K to install an aftermarket one

[@petergazarek9466]

TOYOTA 😎👍🏻

[@Nae395]

The no spare wheel lost the a sale. Not that they are worried

[@alanclarkeau]

5.6 l/100 is pathetic - did you do a track-day with it or something.

[@marcrobert2603]

The rearvieuw camera is soooo bad. It even has''t the moving lines on it.

[@warrenseiboth3466]

i found these cars hard to get into especially the passenger seat for me I'm 182 cm tall , very tiny

[@chasingcars]

Yes, the passenger seat is cramped for headroom if it doesn't have height adjustment.

[@tonycoz2309]

Bit of coin for a small car and no spare wheel in Australia!

[@GAZZA55]

Even more in new zealand over $42,200.

[@buncha5651]

The killer for me is CVT. No thanks.

[@robcig]

I dislike CVTs as well but I believe this has a first gear. The issue is when you plant your right foot, the drone…

[@MrLukeyhym]

What? More enjoyable than the 86 to drive?! come on champ…

[@tepidtuna7450]

Interesting new car price. I saw one of these the other day in Hornsby for $44,000 second hand ! Dealers OMG.

[@disneylike4802]

That sucks no spare tyres🙄

[@EnShinNoi]

Mazda3 as a competitor? At 42 grand, you've entered Mazda6 territory.

[@chasingcars]

Yes - a Mazda 3 G25 Astina is $40K plus on roads. Absolutely fair to say these two are competitors.

[@EnShinNoi]

Which also gets put against a Mazda6.

[@coffeeaddictgaming2883]

Mazda 3 top spec is Astina X20 is $48k for sedan and $43k for hatch which is direct competitor.

[@rc70ys]

Mazda has NOTHING on a Toyota in terms of looks and reliability.

[@royel1417]

@@chasingcars Mazda 3 g25 Astina 40k, yes. But also in addition to that price tag comes a 2.5L engine, better interior styling and quality, better exterior styling, a Bose 12 speaker system instead of an 8 speaker jbl system which isnt even one of the big audio brands plus many other features that Toyota doesn’t have. All Toyota has is a tacky interior. Also 9.29s 0-100 lol actually a joke. Not competitors at all. Even the g20 evolve is better than this “premium hatch”

[@jupitersydney3555]

What car is it ?? Oh yes ZR Corolla hybrid … 4000 times FFS !!

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, mentioning the name of the car is a pretty common feature of a review.

[@kbling2946]

All I can say is after coming into 6 months there STILL is not one Australian review on the 23 spec RAV4. Maybe the ca isn’t popular enough? 😂🤯

[@deadinholywood]

Even if reviews said its an awesome car it's not like you can just roll into a dealer and buy one. You'd be on the how long list for a 2027 model.

[@joepeluso3864]

A car that does 0 to 100 in 12 seconds, i would call that fun to drive

[@Maggieismydog]

Spend a bit more and get a Lexus.