With the introduction of the new Corolla Touring Sports TREK model, Toyota has made their strikingly-handsome, and utterly-practical, estate car even more appealing.
By elevating the standard Corolla Touring Sports (T/S) ride height by 20mm, and adding some cladding to the bodywork, the new TREK takes on a rugged and durable identity.
Available in front-wheel-drive only, the TREK is best described as a car that sits somewhere between a regular estate car and a SUV, with the car being the result of a partnership between Toyota and cycle manufacturer, TREK.
Externally, to set the TREK apart from the regular Corolla T/S, design differences consist of chunkier bumpers (complete with skid plates front and rear to lend an air of off-roading authenticity), while black 17” machined-face alloy wheels (5x double-spoke) also feature.
Additionally, the TREK comes with a chrome dual exhaust pipe finisher, black wheel arch mouldings, black rocker panel with silver insert, rear privacy glass, new front fog lamps, LED headlamps, and a TREK badge on the boot door for total exclusivity.
Inside, the Corolla TREK has new two-tone cloth upholstery, a redesigned dashboard with decorative wooden inlays, and TREK badges for its door-steps and boot lid.
Powering the new Corolla T/S TREK is a powerful new 2.0-litre petrol/electric powertrain, which produces 178bhp, and a healthy 190Nm of torque, for instant acceleration.
This new 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine, is capable of fuel consumption as low as 5.3l/100km on a combined driving cycle, while enabling the car to tow a braked trailer of up to 750kg in weight.
The new Corolla T/S TREK has excellent space in the front for two adults, while passengers in the rear are provided with good head, elbow and legroom too.
Boot space, with the rear seat backs in place, is a generous 581 litres, but this can be greatly increased by folding the standard 60:40 split rear seats when the need arises.
My review car performed admirably well on a variety of road surfaces, with very little wind noise from around the door mirrors.
At a steady motorway speed, the car’s engine tone is hardly noticeable at all, while excellent driving dynamics ensure that the car remains composed when faced with a twisty country road too.
The hugely impressive new Toyota Corolla is the Continental Tyres Irish Medium Car of the Year for 2020 – a category which is fiercely competitive.
While the new Corolla Hybrid range is priced from just €26,390 (ex-delivery), the Corolla T/S TREK is competitively priced at €35,990 (ex-delivery).
With its rugged ‘go anywhere looks’ and remarkable practicality, the new Corolla T/S TREK is proving a very worthwhile new addition to the Toyota Corolla family.
