Will Hybrid Corolla make Prius Better?

alanclarkeau · Apr 12, 2019

Hoddie said: ↑

I just went and bought a Corolla Touring Sports (which is the wagon version here in Europe) after taking a few weeks flipping between that and the new post-refresh Prius. The two are so alike it's difficult to understand how both can really exist in the same showroom. I bought the 1.8L Style version which is currently just €400 cheaper than the top-spec Prius. Its features are directly comparable except that the Corolla doesn't have a HUD, a sunroof (which is new on the Prius in Belgium), leather seats, blind-spot monitors or the cross-traffic monitor. Some of these features are available in the more expensive Corolla.

After a few days of driving I can offer the following observations (I previously owned a top-spec 2016 version of the current Prius):

The Corrolla has a superior Lane Control Assist. It forcefully keeps you bang in the centre of the lane, which can become problematic if you're trying to shift over to let a motorbike filter through lanes of traffic.

The Corolla also has better Adaptive Cruise Control. This was something I missed when I got rid of the Prius and was glad to have it back, and Toyota's latest version is a big improvement.

The Corolla doesn't come with a spare tyre but there is space for one if you wish to add one. The provided repair kit is in a little bag rather than a moulded tray like in the Prius, which leaves a lot of space in the void under the boot floor for extra storage. The boot itself is more accessible thanks to a wider opening.

There's no HUD but the Hybrid assist offers more feedback, indicating when the electric and petrol engine are likely to kick in. An example, a curve builds as you press the accelerator, indicating how much longer you can expect to remain in electric-only power if you continue at that rate of acceleration.

The Corolla feels very low to the ground. You pass other family cars where the driver seems to be sat noticeably higher than you, even a couple of feet higher. I don't recall feeling this way in the Prius. At the same time, the Corolla has better ground clearance at the front than the Prius, which helps with a couple of particularly annoying speed bumps near home.

It was difficult to decide but the price difference (however small) and personal style preference is what swung it. I don't know if the post-refresh Prius also has the updated LCA and ACC but I expect the next version of the Prius to offer considerably more than the Corolla (wagon) otherwise I don't see why Toyota is offering both.
Click to expand...

I didn't read about them updating LCA & ACC in the PRIUS update - in fact they didn't really say much at all about new technology or improvements - it seems mostly styling changed. It's fairly logical that they'd keep the basic bones, as LCA and ACC are very tightly tied in with many other functions which seemingly haven't changed. But COROLLA is a brand new model, so the opportunity to build in the better new LCA & ACC is more likely. But - in 2 or 3 yrs, with Gen 5, it'll leapfrog COROLLA again with even better tech.

Tideland Prius · Apr 12, 2019

Hoddie said: ↑

I just went and bought a Corolla Touring Sports (which is the wagon version here in Europe) after taking a few weeks flipping between that and the new post-refresh Prius. The two are so alike it's difficult to understand how both can really exist in the same showroom. I bought the 1.8L Style version which is currently just €400 cheaper than the top-spec Prius. Its features are directly comparable except that the Corolla doesn't have a HUD, a sunroof (which is new on the Prius in Belgium), leather seats, blind-spot monitors or the cross-traffic monitor. Some of these features are available in the more expensive Corolla.

After a few days of driving I can offer the following observations (I previously owned a top-spec 2016 version of the current Prius):

The Corrolla has a superior Lane Control Assist. It forcefully keeps you bang in the centre of the lane, which can become problematic if you're trying to shift over to let a motorbike filter through lanes of traffic.

The Corolla also has better Adaptive Cruise Control. This was something I missed when I got rid of the Prius and was glad to have it back, and Toyota's latest version is a big improvement.

The Corolla doesn't come with a spare tyre but there is space for one if you wish to add one. The provided repair kit is in a little bag rather than a moulded tray like in the Prius, which leaves a lot of space in the void under the boot floor for extra storage. The boot itself is more accessible thanks to a wider opening.

There's no HUD but the Hybrid assist offers more feedback, indicating when the electric and petrol engine are likely to kick in. An example, a curve builds as you press the accelerator, indicating how much longer you can expect to remain in electric-only power if you continue at that rate of acceleration.

The Corolla feels very low to the ground. You pass other family cars where the driver seems to be sat noticeably higher than you, even a couple of feet higher. I don't recall feeling this way in the Prius. At the same time, the Corolla has better ground clearance at the front than the Prius, which helps with a couple of particularly annoying speed bumps near home.

It was difficult to decide but the price difference (however small) and personal style preference is what swung it. I don't know if the post-refresh Prius also has the updated LCA and ACC but I expect the next version of the Prius to offer considerably more than the Corolla (wagon) otherwise I don't see why Toyota is offering both.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I’m curious about ownership of the Corolla Touring Sports, mostly because we don’t have it here. Keep us posted!

The Prius keeps version 1 of TSS-P.

Seamaster · Apr 23, 2019

I recently came very close to ordering a facelifted 2019 Prius to replace my 2015 Lexus CT. Almost certainly going to go for the Corolla saloon hybrid instead. Love this colour, trim and spec.

Will Hybrid Corolla make Prius Better?

alanclarkeau Senior Member

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Will Hybrid Corolla make Prius Better?

alanclarkeau Senior Member

Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Staff Member

Seamaster Member

Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
Staff Member