The Toyota Corolla is in the running to be this year’s Autocar Awards Readers’ Champion. Each day a different member of the Autocar team will champion one of the 17 cars, but only one can be the Icon of Icons and it’s up to you to decide - vote here.
We know what you’re thinking: what is the Toyota Corolla doing among a list of automotive icons? Safe, dependable, entirely unexciting family car, sure. But a motoring icon?
Well, yes. Here’s why: the Corolla is the best-selling car in the world. Ever. Since it was launched in 1966, Toyota has sold around 45 million Corolla-badged cars. That is, you won’t need to be told, a lot.
Of course, simply selling in record numbers does not an icon make. You could even count it against the Corolla, comparing it to a huge middle-of-the-road stadium-filling rock band. You know, the sort that dominates the charts by churning out pleasant, blandly inoffensive songs. The Toyota Coldplay, if you will.
Undoubtedly, many Corolla sales are down to its affordability, practicality and reliability, rather than any dynamic greatness or cutting-edge design. It’s not the sort of car for which you’ll hear much in the way of effusive praise.
But it’s also not the sort of car you hear much criticism of. It produces quiet contentment from owners, the sort that results from a well-made product that gets the job done.
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Not only hybrid
The article states that:
'.... Toyota changed tack after realising a smartly styled hybrid-only hatchback ....'
For information, the Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports are available with a 1.2 petrol turbo (116 hp) on Icon, Icon Tech and Design models. Just the top of the range Excel model is hybrid only, as are all versions of the saloon.
Note: Although a Toyota owner, I have no other link with the brand.
Only Corolla that ever
Only Corolla that ever appealed to me was the Mid 80s GT hatch with the high revving 1.6, but they were new when i first passed my test so no way i could afford one. By the time i could i didnt want a Corolla any more
The name might be iconic
There's no doubting the global success of the Corolla brand, but the product itself has evolved through so many inconsistent shapes that it really has no identity. I believe that an icon has to be instantly recognisable, so however competent, profitable and successful, I can't see that the Corolla merits inclusion.
So true
I can understand a Golf, Mini, 911 etc because you see the heritage but the Corolla is just a name.