Toyota Corolla Commercial

Toyota Corolla Commercial:

The Toyota Corolla Commercial has made a significant impact on the commercial vehicle market, offering a blend of reliability and efficiency that businesses have come to appreciate. This versatile van, based on the popular Corolla passenger car, has gained attention for its ability to meet the diverse needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. With its hybrid powertrain and practical design, the Toyota Corolla Commercial has become a go-to choice for those seeking a dependable workhorse. Source 

This comprehensive review takes a closer look at the 2023 Toyota Corolla Commercial, examining its performance, interior features, and overall value. We'll explore how this vehicle stands out in the competitive commercial van segment, assessing its fuel efficiency, cargo capacity, and advanced technology offerings. Additionally, we'll consider how the Corolla Commercial compares to other Toyota commercial vehicles and hybrid vans available for sale, providing insights to help businesses make informed decisions about their fleet investments.

Overview of the Toyota Corolla Commercial

The Toyota Corolla Commercial stands out as the UK and Europe's first self-charging, full hybrid electric van. Developed and built at Toyota Manufacturing UK's Burnaston plant, this innovative vehicle is derived from the Corolla Touring Sports passenger car. It represents the latest addition to the growing Toyota Professional range of light commercial vehicles, offering businesses a unique blend of efficiency and practicality.

Key Features Toyota Corolla Commercial.

The Corolla Commercial boasts a high standard equipment specification, including Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance features. This ensures that businesses not only get a reliable workhorse but also a vehicle equipped with advanced technology for enhanced safety and convenience. The van's design incorporates blanked-off side windows, a bulkhead, and a loading bay floor, distinguishing it from its passenger car counterpart and qualifying it for commercial vehicle tax benefits.

Hybrid Powertrain Toyota Corolla Commercial.

At the heart of the Corolla Commercial is Toyota's renowned hybrid electric technology. The van is equipped with a 1.8-litre hybrid system, which has been upgraded in 2023 to deliver 138hp, a significant increase from the previous 122hp. This powertrain combines a 1,798cc DOHC Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a compact and powerful electric motor/generator and a lithium-ion high-voltage battery. The system produces a total output of 138hp/103kW, with the petrol engine generating 142Nm of torque and the electric motor delivering 163Nm from zero rpm.

This hybrid setup offers impressive fuel efficiency, with official WLTP combined cycle figures showing 105 to 115g/km CO2 emissions and 55.6 to 61.4mpg fuel economy. The electric-only range, while limited to a few miles, works seamlessly with the petrol engine to provide smooth and efficient operation. A standard-fit automatic gearbox ensures jerk-free starts, helping to keep valuable cargo stable during transport.

Cargo Capacity Toyota Corolla Commercial

The Corolla Commercial offers a practical cargo area with a maximum capacity of 1,326 litres (1.3m3). Access to the load space is facilitated by a wide tailgate aperture, making loading and unloading easier. The flat load floor features a tough rubber lining for durability, and the cargo area is equipped with a full-height steel bulkhead, interior light, and a 12V power outlet. With a maximum payload of 425kg and the ability to tow braked trailers up to 750kg, this van provides ample versatility for various business needs.

Performance and Efficiency

The Toyota Corolla Commercial stands out in the light commercial vehicle segment with its innovative hybrid powertrain. The 2023 upgrade has brought significant improvements to its performance and efficiency, making it an attractive option for businesses seeking a reliable and economical van.

[caption id="attachment_56583" align="alignnone" width="700"] Toyota Corolla Commercial[/caption]

Fuel Economy

The Corolla Commercial's fuel efficiency is impressive, with official WLTP combined cycle figures showing 64.4mpg. This represents a 3mpg improvement over the previous model's 61.4mpg. Real-world experiences suggest that achieving over 60mpg is feasible, even with a load in the back. However, it's worth noting that the onboard computer tends to overestimate fuel economy slightly, typically by a couple of miles per gallon. Despite this, the actual economy remains excellent, with users reporting averages in the high 50s to low 60s mpg range.

Driving Experience

The driving experience of the Corolla Commercial has been enhanced with the 2023 upgrades. The 1.8-litre hybrid engine now produces 138hp, a notable increase from the previous 122hp. This boost in power has improved the van's overall performance, particularly at higher speeds and when tackling inclines. The standard-fit automatic gearbox ensures smooth acceleration, eliminating jerky starts and helping to keep cargo stable during transport.

[caption id="attachment_56580" align="alignnone" width="700"] Toyota Corolla Commercial[/caption]

Hybrid System Benefits

The Corolla Commercial's hybrid system offers several advantages:

1. Self-charging capability: The van doesn't require plugging in, making it convenient for businesses that can't access charging points.
2. Efficient urban driving: Toyota expects up to 50 percent of urban or suburban journeys can be accomplished in all-electric drive, maximising fuel efficiency.
3. Adaptive performance: The system automatically switches between electric and hybrid power based on driving conditions, optimising performance and efficiency.
4. Improved cold-start efficiency: While cold weather can impact the hybrid system's effectiveness initially, once warmed up, the system demonstrates impressive efficiency, often recording 60-70 percent electric vehicle use in urban environments.

The Corolla Commercial's hybrid technology has revolutionised the commercial van market, offering businesses a unique blend of performance and efficiency. Its ability to adapt to various driving conditions while maintaining excellent fuel economy makes it a compelling choice for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs.

Interior and Technology

Cabin Comfort

The Toyota Corolla Commercial's interior strikes a balance between practicality and comfort. While it retains many features from its passenger car counterpart, it has been adapted to suit commercial needs. The cabin features hard-wearing flooring coverings, making it easier to clean, while the steering wheel and gear lever have a more utilitarian feel for improved durability. Storage options include cupholders, a small cubby in front of the gear lever, door bins for small bottles, and a lidded central storage bin.

Comfort has not been compromised, with seats offering a good range of adjustment to accommodate drivers of various heights. The inclusion of heated front seats with power lumbar adjustment for the driver is a welcome luxury. Dual-zone automatic air conditioning further enhances the comfort level, making long journeys more pleasant.

Infotainment System

The Corolla Commercial boasts an impressive infotainment system centred around an eight-inch touchscreen display. This multimedia system comes with voice recognition capabilities, enhancing ease of use while driving. Smartphone integration is seamless, with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available as standard features.

The system's layout is user-friendly, with manual shortcut buttons positioned around the screen for easy access to key functions. An auxiliary socket and USB port (although not USB-C) are conveniently located near a space suitable for storing a smartphone, eliminating the need for cables across the cabin.

Safety Features Toyota Corolla Commercial.

Toyota has equipped the Corolla Commercial with an extensive array of safety features, many of which are part of the Toyota Safety Sense package. These advanced systems include:

1. Pre-Collision System (PCS)
2. Adaptive Cruise Control
3. Lane Departure Alert with steering control
4. Lane Trace Assist (LTA)
5. Road Sign Assist
6. Automatic High Beam

The vehicle's safety capabilities have been further enhanced with the latest updates. The front camera now covers a wider field, doubling the distance of forward detection compared to previous models. The front millimetre-wave radar has also been extended to detect obstacles closer to the vehicle's front.

Practicality and Value

Loading Capabilities

The Toyota Corolla Commercial offers impressive cargo capacity for a car-derived van. With a maximum load volume of 1,326 litres (1.3m3), it provides more space than vehicles based on hatchback models. The flat load floor features a durable rubber lining, and access is made easy through a wide tailgate aperture. A full-height steel bulkhead, interior light, and 12V power outlet enhance its practicality. The van boasts a maximum payload of 425kg and can tow braked trailers up to 750kg, making it versatile for various business needs.

Running Costs

The Corolla Commercial's hybrid powertrain contributes to excellent fuel economy, with official WLTP combined cycle figures showing 64.4mpg. This represents a 3mpg improvement over the previous model. Real-world experiences suggest that achieving over 60mpg is feasible, even when carrying a load. The van's self-charging capability eliminates the need for plugging in, making it convenient for businesses without access to charging points. Toyota expects up to 50 percent of urban or suburban journeys can be accomplished in all-electric drive, further maximising fuel efficiency.

Warranty and Servicing

Toyota offers an impressive warranty package for the Corolla Commercial. Every new Toyota is eligible for warranty protection for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This comprises an initial three-year manufacturer warranty, followed by up to seven years of service-activated warranty. For the first three years, owners can have their vehicle serviced at a place of their choice. After this period, they can benefit from an additional 12 months (or 10,000 miles) warranty when serviced at an authorised Toyota workshop. This warranty is provided at no extra cost, subject to terms and conditions. As part of the Toyota Professional range of LCVs, the Corolla Commercial also comes with five years' roadside assistance and the guarantee of a service appointment within seven days.

Conclusion Toyota Corolla Commercial.

The Toyota Corolla Commercial has proven itself as a game-changer in the light commercial vehicle market. Its blend of hybrid efficiency, practical design, and advanced features has an impact on businesses looking to cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint. The van's impressive fuel economy, coupled with its versatile cargo space and towing capabilities, makes it a standout choice for small and medium-sized enterprises.

To wrap up, Toyota's commitment to quality and innovation shines through in the Corolla Commercial. With its generous warranty package, low running costs, and cutting-edge safety features, this van offers excellent value to businesses. As the commercial vehicle landscape continues to evolve, the Corolla Commercial stands as a testament to Toyota's forward-thinking approach, setting a new standard for efficiency and practicality in the sector.

FAQs

1. How reliable is the 2023 Toyota Corolla?

The 2023 Toyota Corolla boasts a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100. According to J.D. Power, a score between 91 and 100 is rated as the Best, 81 to 90 is Great, 70 to 80 is Average, and any score from 0 to 69 is considered Fair and below average.

2. Which Toyota commercial vehicle is considered the best?

The Toyota Hilux stands out for its reliability and durability, earning its reputation as the top commercial pick-up offered by Toyota.

3. What fuel efficiency does the Toyota Corolla commercial offer?

This question was listed without a corresponding answer.

4. What exactly is a Toyota Corolla Commercial?

The Toyota Corolla Commercial is essentially a van based on a car framework, known for its practicality, efficiency, and refinement. This model was reviewed by Matt Robinson on 27 July 2022.