Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 Review: Back from a hiatus...

How well is this new body then?

The design of the new Altis is a dramatic departure from the boring and derivative design of the old models that we are familiar with. Sure, there is nothing “un-uncle” about the new Altis but with the angular headlights, deep-set grille, a side-profile that resembles the elegant-looking Camry and a muscular looking rear (due to the extended bumper), you do have to acknowledge that there is still a glimmer of hope that Toyota may one day design an exciting and passion-inducing car.

In the interior, there is a marked improvement with the build quality that puts the previous Altis to shame - tighter door-shut lines and panel integration of the dashboard combine synergistically with the stylish looking air-conditioning controls, touch-screen stereo and optitron meters to create the impression of good build quality. Not bad at all, considering this car came from the country which gave us Tom-Yam soup.

On a seperate note, we doubt the plastics for the door handles can stand the test of time or someone with biceps the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s…

Lesser power and heavier body can only mean that the new Altis will be as sluggish as hell. Yet the moment the accelerator pedal was depressed, the car responded with a renewed sense of urgency (over the old Altis) – so much so that looks of astonishment erupted from me. Punting the car across town confirms that this is, indeed, not a dream - this new Altis, with a heavier body and a detuned engine, actually feels more responsive than the old Altis that weighs 30kg lesser. Old soul it may be, but it sure feels rejunvenated!

Toyota’s trick? Tweak the 4-speed Super ECT automatic transmission, improve the exhaust system, and there you have it - a better responding Altis.

It may seem like a case of new body, old soul for this Altis but this is definitely a soul that has been given a new breath of life to fight the fight in gaining back Toyota's lead position.

How well will it fare then? I'm sure that depends on whether buyers can put the quality fiasco of the old Altis behind them and accept the new Altis as a true quality product from Toyota.

I already did.

Credits: Story by Azfar Hashim, Hazrin Mohamad and Jarvis Seo. Pictures by Azfar Hashim.