Toyota Corolla Altis

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular cars in the world, and in India, the story is no different. When the second gen Altis was launched in India, it caused quite a stir in the market and reclaimed the coveted status that had been slipping from its grasp. The facelift was launched just last year and the Corolla Altis is currently priced between Rs 15.7 and Rs 19.64 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

The front features a ‘T’ design theme and swept back headlamps which now get Bi-beam LED lighting system along with smart LED daytime running lights on the top-end variants. The grille is narrower compared to the pre-facelift car but the long and wide bonnet and the almost sportscar-like profile are still intact. The sharp character lines, muscular proportions along with shorter front and rear overhangs give the Toyota Corolla Altis an aggressive stance. The car runs on 15-inch or 16-inch wheels depending on the variant, and comes with good looking alloy wheels.

Inside, there’s liberal use of leather and soft-touch materials on the dashboard. And the Altis gets the lighter 'Flaxen' colour scheme and round air-conditioning vents. Features include a 10-way adjustable powered driver's seat, rear sunshades and a reclining rear bench. Infotainment duties are handled by a 7.0-inch touchscreen unit paired with six speakers. The head unit does feature MirrorLink but there's no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on offer.

The Toyota Corolla Altis comes with a choice of two engines: a petrol and a diesel. The petrol motor displaces 1.8 litres and makes 140PS of max power and 173Nm of peak torque whereas the diesel makes 88PS of max power and 205Nm of peak torque. The petrol can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT gearbox with paddle shifters. The diesel engine on the other hand is available with a 6-speed manual only. Power in both engines is sent to the front wheels.

The Toyota Corolla Altis is available in 6 variants. Diesel variants are limited to only two whereas the petrol engine is available with 4 variants. The petrol engine is available in G, GL and VL trims while the diesel gets the G and GL trims only. The G petrol trim can also be had with a CVT and a manual gearbox whereas the GL is available with a manual gearbox only. The Bi-beam LED lamps along with the 10-way adjustable driver’ seat are reserved for variants above the G trim. The 7.0-inch touchscreen system, climate control, ABS with EBD and LED DRLs are standard across the board. The petrol variants get five airbags as standard while the diesel variants make do with three. The curtain airbags however are reserved for the VL variant only.

Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai’s D segment sedan scores major points with the buyers when it comes to convenience features. Combine that with frugal engines and a supple ride and you get a package that is tough to beat.

Skoda Octavia: A rare blend of comfort, luxury and driving dynamics, the Skoda Octavia is a force to reckon with and enjoys an almost cult-like following in India. Its perception of poor after-sales service however tends to work against it.

The Toyota Corolla can be attributed with kickstarting the D segment in India. Even after almost two decades, it remains the car to beat in the segment. It still sticks to its guns of frugality, comfort and a softer ride compared to its competition.