The Toyota Corolla Altis has been one of TMP’s most popular nameplates. Now on its 12th generation, this compact sedan drives, looks, and feels modern. To accommodate more car buyers (and get a larger share of the segment), Toyota made the Corolla Altis in contemporary-looking trims with updated powertrain options, even a hybrid variant.
At the front end, the current-gen Corolla Altis sports a Camry-esque grille flanked by thin halogen projector or bi-beam LED headlamps on each side. The LED DRLs and the chrome-plated LED headlamps (on higher variants) add to its sophisticated appeal.
The rear echoes the design from the front with full-LED rear combination lamps. It rides on either 16- or 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, depending on the variant.
Inside, those picking the lower variants will get fabric seats, a urethane steering wheel, and a PVC shift knob. These come with either segment type or a 4.2-inch multi-informational display plus a 6.8-inch infotainment system.
Those willing to spend more can expect leather seats, a leather steering wheel, and a leather shift knob. The multi-informational display is upgraded to seven inches while the infotainment system gets updated to an eight-inch display audio.
Power comes from either a 1.6-liter gasoline engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. This powertrain setup makes a respectable 121hp with a maximum torque of 153Nm.
As we’ve briefly covered above, TMP also offers a hybrid variant equipped with a 1.8-liter hybrid powerplant mated to a CVT which makes a decent 97hp with 142Nm of torque.
Safety-wise, the Toyota Corolla Altis packs SRS airbags, front and rear seatbelts, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, and an alarm. The V variant gets an immobilizer, a back monitor, as well as a clearance and back sonar while the range-topping hybrid model gets a pre-collision system, automatic high beam, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert, and dynamic radar cruise control.
Toyota is offering the Corolla Altis in four variants with prices ranging from P1,014,000 to P1,610,000.
Those not sold on what Toyota has to offer might find what they’re looking for with the Honda Civic. The 11th-generation Civic carries the brand’s updated front fascia with either halogen or full LED headlamps, LED DRLs, and LED fog lights for the upper trims.
The rear is fitted with LED taillamps and a bulb-type high mount stop lamp. Depending on the variant, you can get the Honda Civic with 16-, 17-, or 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the range-topping Honda Civic gets seats finished in black leather with suede, a leather steering wheel, and a nine-inch touchscreen audio display.
Under the hood is a 1.5-liter engine mated to a CVT which makes 129 horses and 240Nm of torque.
In terms of safety, those driving home a Honda Civic can expect a slew of airbags and seatbelts, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, an emergency stop signal, a security alarm, a reverse sensing camera, speed sensing door locks, walk away auto lock, and lane watch camera.
The current-gen Honda Civics get the added benefit of Honda Sensing that comes with adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, a collision mitigation braking system, a lane keep assist system, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high beam, and lead car departure notification.
The Honda Civic is currently offered in three variants with a price range of P1,290,000 to P1,690,000.
Another option for those looking for a capable compact sedan is the Kia Forte. Its exterior features include the redesigned Tiger Nose grille with either projector halogens or bi-function LED headlamps. The higher trims get standard DRLs while the higher variants get LED DRLs and projector fog lamps.
The rear of the Kia Forte sports LED combination lamps with the range-topping variant getting a rear spoiler and an LED high-mount stop lamp. Depending on the variant, the Kia Forte can be had with either 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the top-of-the-line Kia Forte comes with leather seats, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, a leather shift knob, a 3.5-inch multi-function display, and an eight-inch infotainment screen.
The Kia Forte packs a 1.5-liter engine which can be mated with either a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode or with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with manual mode.
Its safety features include a set of airbags and seatbelts, ABS, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, a rear camera, and parking distance warnings.
The Kia Forte is offered in three variants with a price range of P1,095,000 to P1,650,000.
Photos from Toyota, Honda, Kia
Also read:
Toyota offers ‘Nürburgring package’ for Corolla Altis in Thailand
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