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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Sydney, Australia
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I saw one at my local dealer (just down the road from me and the same dealer I bought my petrol model from). This hybrid model takes in my opinion the nicest styling cues from the Corolla hatch available here from late 2012 up until early 2015 (mine) and the one that came after (currently still being sold and visually identical to the Scion iM). So it looks like a conservative update of the 2013 - 2014 model as opposed to the arguably more flamboyant and aggressive looking petrol Corolla hatch.
In my personal opinion this Hybrid model is the best looking Corolla hatch ever (and I've owned Corollas since the very first Corolla hatch - the AE80 model I bought brand new in 1986). I think the reason it is a bit more conservative looking is that Toyota Australia are pitching this more at mature buyers such as myself than younger ones. Probably the same market that they aim the Corolla sedan at.
As for differences with the petrol model, perhaps one of the most significant is that the Hybrid has independent rear suspension as opposed to the torsion beam all Corolla hatches have had here since the ZRE152 model right through to the one currently being sold. Oddly enough, Toyota Australia did not opt for the independent rear suspension on the Hybrid because it was better. They used it because it was the only way to fit the hybrid drivetrain on the car!