Toyota Wins Two Drive Car of the Year Awards

Toyota's popular Corolla SX is the best choice for Australians wanting to purchase their first new car, according to experts at leading automotive website, drive.com.au.

And if your motoring needs require a large SUV, then the Drive team recommends buying the popular seven-seat family SUV, Toyota Kluger.

Corolla SX and Kluger won their respective categories in the 2022 Drive Car of the Year awards. It is the first time Drive has awarded a "best first car" title.

Drive Comparisons Editor Glenn Butler spelled out the reasons why the Corolla SX - available as a hatch or sedan with petrol or hybrid powertrains - is the ideal choice for those embarking on new-vehicle ownership.

"The Toyota Corolla SX's strong safety portfolio and its combination of low running costs, excellent resale value and affordable insurance premium makes it the best choice for first car buyers," he said.

Managing editor Trent Nikolic said the new-generation Kluger - launched in Australia mid-last year - won its category for being affordable to own and enjoyable to drive.

"In typical Toyota fashion, the new-generation Kluger takes an already good car and makes it even better," Mr Nikolic said.

"Inside the Kluger's versatile cabin, there's space and comfort for the family combined with Toyota's usual high standards of quality and durability," he said.

Toyota Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said Corolla is the world's and Australia's best-selling passenger car.

"A large number of first-car buyers, often supported by their parents, are choosing Corolla SX for its high levels of driving enjoyment, advanced technology, safety, refinement and comfort," Mr Hanley said.

"At the same time, thousands of growing families are putting Kluger first on their new-vehicle shopping lists due to its sculpted design, broad range of safety features, enhanced driving dynamics and - for the first time in Australia - a hybrid powertrain," he said.

Corolla SX is priced from $28,795 (125kW petrol)1 and $30,795 (90kW hybrid)1. Standard features include climate-control air-conditioning, a multimedia system with smartphone integration2, satellite navigation3 with SUNA™ live traffic alerts4 and a wireless phone charger5.

New Kluger covers a broad range, starting with the GX petrol 2WD from $47,6501 through to the Grande AWD hybrid from $75,4001. Drivers have the choice of a 218kW/350Nm V6 petrol engine in 2WD or AWD configurations, or the AWD hybrid system with a maximum combined output of 184kW.

A comprehensive equipment list includes keyless smart entry and ignition and rain sensing wipers while mid-range GXL variants gain power heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, power tailgate and satellite navigation3 and top-of-the-range Grande adds features such as a panoramic moonroof, head-up display and a premium 11-speaker JBL®6 audio system.

Both models are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense driver-assistance technologies including autonomous emergency braking provided by the pre-collision safety system, active cruise control, lane trace assist, road sign assist (certain speed signs) and auto high beam, as well as a reversing camera, seven airbags and blind-spot monitor.

All Toyota vehicles are covered by the five-year Toyota Warranty Advantage7 while Toyota Service Advantage8 offers up to five capped-price services costing just $205 each (Corolla SX) and $250 each (Kluger) with 12-month/15,000km intervals.