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New Toyota Corolla 2021 pricing and specs detailed: Mazda 3 rival increases in cost with update

The Corolla now costs more to buy.

As part of an update, Toyota Australia has increased the pricing of the most popular passenger car in Australia, the Corolla.

Petrol and hybrid versions are up $560 and $1060 respectively, meaning the Corolla range now starts from $23,895 plus on-road costs and reaches $34,695 (see full pricing table below).

A Toyota Australia spokesperson confirmed to CarsGuide the model had also received a minor update, with it upgrading to the brand’s latest multimedia system, which goes without the auxiliary input of the previous set-up.

They added the Mazda3 rival’s price rises were otherwise prompted by “external market forces”, including exchange-rate pressures.

For reference, the Corolla is available in two body-styles (hatchback and sedan) and three grades (entry-level Ascent Sport, mid-range SX and flagship ZR).

Petrol variants are powered by a 125kW/200Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, which is mated to a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with a mechanical launch gear in the Ascent Sport, while the latter is standard in the SX and ZR.

Meanwhile, hybrid versions combine a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine running on the Atkinson cycle and two electric motors for a combined power output of 90kW. This ‘self-charging’ combination is matched to an e-CVT. Of note, a ZR sedan variant isn’t available.

2021 Toyota Corolla pricing before on-road costs

VariantTransmissionCost
Ascent Sport petrol hatchbackmanual$23,895 (+$560)
Ascent Sport petrol hatchbackautomatic$25,395 (+$560)
SX petrol hatchbackautomatic$28,795 (+$560)
ZR petrol hatchbackautomatic$32,695 (+$560)
Ascent Sport hybrid hatchbackautomatic$27,395 (+$1060)
SX hybrid hatchbackautomatic$30,795 (+$1060)
ZR hybrid hatchbackautomatic$34,695 (+$1060)
Ascent Sport petrol sedanmanual$23,895 (+$560)
Ascent Sport petrol sedanautomatic$25,395 (+$560)
SX petrol sedanautomatic$28,795 (+$560)
ZR petrol sedanautomatic$34,195 (+$560)
Ascent Sport hybrid sedanautomatic$27,395 (+$1060)
SX hybrid sedanautomatic$30,795 (+$1060)