Order books are now open for the new 2023 Toyota Corolla, from £29,610 on the road. Online orders will also be available from 1 September.

Order books are now open for the new 2023 Toyota Corolla, from £29,610 on the road.

The British-built range of hatchbacks and Touring Sports wagons gets upgrades to its self-charging full hybrid electric powertrains, a new multimedia system with additional functions and improved usability, extra safety and driver assistance features and new styling details.

As with the current model, 1.8 and 2.0-litre hybrid systems are available in the new fifth generation Corolla, both benefiting from changes to their engine and electric motor with extra power, improved performance and drivability, and unchanged or lower CO2 emissions.

The power control unit (PCU) and transaxle have been redesigned and the lithium-ion battery is more powerful, yet smaller and 18kg lighter.

Total power from the 1.8-litre system has increased in 14% to 138bhp, bringing a 1.7-second reduction in the 0-62mph time to 9.2 seconds. Despite this performance increase, CO2 emissions are unchanged at 102g/km. For the 2.0-litre system, total output has risen to 193bhp and almost half a second has been shaved from the 0-62mph time, taking it down to 7.5 seconds. A reduction of 3g/km in the combined cycle CO2 figure is expected, to 107g/km. All data are tentative, prior to homologation.

The Corolla’s digital and multimedia systems are designed for an easier, more intuitive user experience and future-proofed so that new features and upgrades can be provided via over-the-air updates.

The Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system has 10.5-inch multimedia display and cars come with an inclusive four years’ subscription to Toyota Smart Connect, giving access to “always on” cloud navigation and real-time traffic and journey information. Drivers can also make use of a new on-board voice agent that recognises natural, conversational requests to operate the multimedia, or vehicle functions such as opening or closing windows.

New remote services are available using the MyT app, allowing drivers to use their smartphone to lock or unlock their car, operate the climate control to heat or cool the cabin prior to a journey and activate the hazard lights.On the outside, the new Corolla range features changes to the front grille mesh pattern, fog light bezels and alloy wheel designs. Design, Excel and GR Sport versions of the hatchback and Touring Sports models gain new bi-LED headlights (with an Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) on Excel grade).

For the interior, there are new graphics, trims and embossed patterns he trim and seat upholstery combinations follow new Dark and Light Harmony themes with co-ordinated colours and finishes to give the cabin a contemporary, elegant feel.

The new Corolla has a revised grade structure, with new equipment features introduced at most levels. Entry is Icon grade, moving up to Design, GR Sport and Excel.

Prices start from £29,610 for the 1.8-litre Icon hatchback, rising to £36,260 for the 2.0-litre Excel Touring Sports wagon.