Toyota Corolla

Refreshed hybrid family hatch has already impressed, but does a bigger engine boost its appeal? On sale Now Price from £30,210

- Max Adams

IN A WAY, you could consider the Toyota Corolla a British success story. Produced at the firm's Derby facility since 2018, it has risen almost to the top of the family car class. We awarded the latest version the full five stars when we pitted it against the Honda Civic - our 2023 Family Car of the Year - and the Corolla only lost on points, leapfrogging the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf in our rankings.

That was the 1.8-litre hybrid version, though. It's highly recommendable, having been recently boosted to 138bhp from the previous rather weak 120bhp, but it's now time to see if the 2.0-litre version is worth upgrading to. It, too, has had a power hike (from 178bhp to 193bhp), reducing the 0-62mph time from 7.9sec to 7.4sec. Officially, that makes it quicker than the Civic, and it feels much perkier than the Corolla 1.8.