Toyota just recently released the new 11th generation Corolla, and now the company is introducing an all-new sub-C segment Toyota Corolla Quest which is due in showrooms from May 2014.

Corolla Quest line-up

The Toyota Corolla Quest line-up will be limited to three models with two trim levels: the standard variant — available in manual or automatic guise — and the Quest Plus which will be available solely as a manual.

All cars in the range are to come standard with an immobiliser and alarm, remote central locking, dual front airbags, Isofix anchor points, air-conditioning and rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel.

The subtle differences between the two trim levels are the wheels (alloys for the Plus version versus steel), body-coloured door handles for the Plus model, and the inclusion of an audio system for the Plus, which offers radio/CD playback as well as a USB port and auxiliary jack.

In contrast to the tenth-gen Corolla, the Quest comes with a number of exterior refinements including new design headlights, redesigned rear combination lamps, black radiator grille and black license plate trim.

Engine specs

The Corolla Quest will be offered with a single engine option. The sole powerplant is the same all-aluminium 1.6-litre in-line four-cylinder found in the eleventh-gen Corolla range. Maximum power is rated at 90 kW at 6 000 rpm with maximum torque of 154 Nm at 5 200rpm. Buyers will have the option of a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

The model accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds, reaching a maximum top speed of 192 km/h. Toyota says that consumption and emission figures will be confirmed closer to launch.

Given the success of models like the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Ford Figo (both of which are based on previous generation Polo and Fiesta models respectively), it makes perfect sense to re-engineer an outgoing car and target the lower income market who can’t afford the newer Toyota Corolla.

We’ll be driving the new Toyota Corolla Quest in Durban in the next two weeks as well as checking out the factory where the vehicles are assembled. With rivals costing well over R200 000, the Toyota Corolla Quest looks like incredible value for money and the market could be turned on its head.

Toyota Corolla Quest price in South Africa

Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6 – R174 900

Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6 auto – R198 900

Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6 Plus – R197900

The price includes a three-year or 100 000km warranty and three-year or 45 000km service plan.

Toyota Corolla Quest gallery