Toyota Corolla Axio and Corolla Fielder (E160) - 2018MY Minor Change

The eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla has been around in the market for five years now and with the latest minor change for the 2018 model year, the new Corolla in two different models, the Axio sedan and the Fielder wagon, are now the safest Corolla ever made with the addition of new safety features capable of tackling through the Tokyo rush hour with ease. So, what's new on the 2018MY Corolla?

2018 Toyota Corolla Axio

2018 Toyota Corolla Fielder

When Toyota first facelifted these Corollas years ago, the bland styling has been replaced with an even more sleeker taste to make sure these two commoners' cars are back in business. However, a single facelift wasn't enough so the folks from Toyota redesigned the eleventh-generation model once more and the result is a sporty and fine design thanks to its new front bumper and grille. On the inside, there are plating decoration on the passenger side instrumental panel for added texture as well as new black sheet color.

2018 Toyota Corolla Axio interior

2018 Toyota Corolla Fielder interior

In the hybrid variants, the 1.5L 1NZ-FXE VVT-i engine with the 1LM electric motor has been slightly improved and because of the slightly improved control of engines, motors, inverters, and so on, the fuel economy by JC08 Mode standards is now up to 34.4km/L. Of course, if the hybrid variant wasn't your thing, there is a normal 1.5L petrol with idling stop available in CVT and 5-speed manual gearbox (which is nice if you're an UBER driver using this car for ride-sharing purposes). Of course, nothing special done with what's under the car, meaning they still behave pretty much the same as the others.

For safety purposes, the 2018MY Corolla lineup comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense C- which features Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, and a Pre-Collision System, all of which can help prevent or mitigate collisions in a wide range of vehicle speeds. Apart from that, these models come with the Intelligent Clearance Sonar, smart entry and start system, and a new Cruise Control setting that allows constant speed running without stepping on the gas pedal. Now that's science get it right, again.

Price? The new 2018MY Corolla range starts from 1,550,520 Yen for the Axio saloon and 1,614,000 Yen for the Fielder wagon. It maybe a fair price hike but they remain one of the most reasonably priced cars offered in the Japanese market and with the added safety features, it's as Japanese as it ever gets for the world's best-selling car in history.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation