Toyota South Africa Motors has canned the Corolla XS hybrid and 2.0-litre XR models from both the hatchback and sedan line-up. This planned change responds to shifts in market demand and customer buying patterns. From now, the Corolla Hatchback and Corolla Sedan will each be available in one well-equipped model: the 1.8-litre Hybrid (HEV) in XR grade.
This adjustment follows lower demand for traditional hatchbacks and sedans, alongside a wider move within the market and among consumers towards electrified vehicles.
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The Corolla has a notable history in the global automotive industry. Now in its 12th generation, global sales have exceeded 50-million units, solidifying its position as a consistently popular vehicle worldwide. Since its 1966 debut as a compact car, the Corolla has been adapted over time to address the needs of different customers and markets.
While initially launched as a sedan, the range grew to include other body styles as trends changed. In South Africa, this progression included the introduction of the Corolla Hatchback in 2018, taking over from models like the Conquest, RUN X and Auris. The Corolla Cross SUV joined the local line-up in 2021.
However, not everything keeps going right and the Automobile Association (AA) has expressed concern following the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign crash test results from Global NCAP, which reveal give the Toyota Corolla Cross a two-star rating for adult occupant protection, due to the absence of standard side head protection.
Despite achieving three stars for child occupant protection, the results clearly demonstrate shortcomings in the level of safety provided to adults in the version sold across African markets, including South Africa.
The Toyota Corolla Cross, manufactured in South Africa, offers driver and passenger frontal crash bags, side body bags, driver knee bag and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), but critically no side head protection locally – which is a critical component, recognised in the Euro NCAP procedure as essential for modern vehicle safety.
Global NCAP’s assessment of the Toyota Corolla Cross found:
- Footwell area found to be unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings (bodyshell was rated as stable)
- Side pole impact was not performed as the car does not offer standard side head protection for front and rear rows. The lack of this kind of protection exposes the head to the risk of severe injury (even in a low-speed side impact with a pole or tree)
- Side impact showed good protection to the abdomen and pelvis, with adequate protection to the chest
- Child protection receives three stars, owing to the lack of passenger crash bag disconnection and the head of the three-year-old dummy being exposed in both side and frontal impact tests
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Global NCAP Chief Executive Officer, Richard Woods, says: “Manufacturers like Toyota know how to build safer vehicles and consumers in Africa deserve the same levels of safety performance which are fitted standard in other parts of the world. Highlighting this disparity and democratising vehicle safety in Africa is a Global NCAP priority.”
AA Chief Executive Officer, Bobby Ramagwede, added: “These results are deeply concerning. There really is no excuse for the lack of side head protection in the popular Toyota Corolla Cross. This again highlights a continuing pattern in which vehicles sold in Africa do not meet the same safety standards applied in other regions.
“The two-star rating reinforces the urgent need for manufacturers to commit to equal safety for all markets. This result underlines why Africa urgently needs stronger regulatory standards and greater manufacturer accountability. The AA believes no vehicle should be sold here without side head protection for front and rear rows. Safety should never be an optional extra, and certainly not reserved for markets outside Africa.”
“Toyota SA responded to the news: “Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is aware of the statement issued by the Automobile Association (AA) regarding the latest Global NCAP results for the Corolla Cross. The results relate to specifications which do not compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. Notwithstanding this, TSAM confirms the locally manufactured Corolla Cross meets and exceeds all applicable local legislative safety requirements.
“The Corolla Cross is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features including SRS driver, passenger, side and driver knee crash bags, as well as curtain shield bags on XR and GR-S models. The vehicle also incorporates advanced safety features such as front and rear seatbelt pre-tensioner and force limiters, dual-row occupant detection, as well as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) incorporating anti-locking brakes, Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) across all models.
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“The Global NCAP results coincide with an ongoing internal review of standardised curtain shield crash bag fitment across the entire Corolla Cross range for the local market. This review is in line with Toyota’s global philosophy of kaizen (continuous improvement) which guides TSAM’s ongoing commitment to enhancing product safety, quality and performance throughout the Toyota Production System.
“The Toyota brand is synonymous with quality, durability and reliability; and TSAM assures all Corolla Cross customers that this brand promise remains unwavering.”
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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