TOYOTA COROLLA
1.8 Hybrid Icon
IF YOU’RE MAKING precise adjustments to a vintage timepiece, a jeweller’s screwdriver is what you need, whereas a sledgehammer is just the job for knocking holes in solid walls. You should always select the right tool for the job, and for everyday family transportation, that tool is the Toyota Corolla.
Millions of people all over the globe would agree; in fact, the Corolla has been the world’s bestselling car for much of the past century, and it’s richly deserved. Toyota’s family car has never sought to be the flashiest, nor the most exciting, but – like an anvil – it fulfils its specific role brilliantly.
For one thing, in these times of forcibly tightened purse strings, the hybrid-powered Corolla stacks up very well on costs. It’s sensibly priced, especially in our favourite trim: entry-level Icon. This comes with niceties such as heated seats, yet it handily undercuts its fellow hybrid family car, the Honda Civic.
What’s more, the Corolla is even thriftier on fuel. While a more powerful 2.0-litre hybrid is available, we’d stick with the 1.8-litre version, which can easily top 50mpg in real-world use, thanks to the fact that the electric motor does much of the heavy lifting at urban speeds. And there’s still plenty of punch; performance is on a par with that of an equivalent Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, so you won’t be frustrated in everyday driving.