Review of the Toyota Corolla Commercial

The Toyota Corolla Commercial is classed as a small van, but we'd say it's half-van, half-car. Coming with a loading bed instead of rear seats, The Corolla Commercial is perfect for those needing van-like capabilities and car-like performance. 

Rivals to the Corolla Commercial include the Ford Focus Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate, Dacia Duster Commercial, and Volkswagen Caddy. 

Our Toyota Corolla Commercial review covers:

• Modern exterior with extended rear end  
• Spacious front seats with loading bed in the rear 
• 1,326 litres/1.3m3 of load volume 
• 1.8-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine 
• One trim levels 

Pros:

• Car-like performance 
• Low running costs 
• Comfortable cabin 

Cons:

• Payload falls short of proper vans 
• Only one trim and engine available 
• Infotainment system could do with an update 

The Corolla range has been on the roads since the 1960s, but the Corolla Commercial is relatively new. It follows the basic design principles of the Corolla Hatchback with a slick front and square rear end but adds a bit of length to the body to accommodate the loading bed. 

First things first, the Corolla Commercial only has enough space for two people as the rear seats have been replaced by a loading bed. For those two, there's plenty of space in the front, with loads of leg and headroom. 

Open the boot, and you get 1,326 litres of boot space with a load volume of 1.3m3. This falls short of the proper van-like capabilities in the Volkswagen Caddy but is more than good enough for a sole trader's tools and gadgets. You can also carry up to 425kg of cargo, which is slightly less than the Dacia Duster Commercial. 

Climb inside the Corolla Commercial, and the cabin is just like the Corolla Touring Sport. Interior quality is impressive, and much like every Toyota, everything is built to last. The dashboard features a range of soft-touch materials, and everything is within reach of the driver. 

Sitting atop the dash is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and voice recognition. The system is okay and can be controlled through shortcuts on the steering wheel, but it's not as responsive as other systems found in more premium cars. 

Just one trim is available for the Corolla Commercial. It comes with 15-inch steel wheels, LED lights, dual-zone air conditioning, heated and manually height adjustable front seats, power adjustable lumbar support, fabric seats, a multimedia display with DAB and Bluetooth, and reversing camera.  

The only engine available for the Corolla Commercial is a 1.8-litre petrol hybrid. It has a power output of 138bhp and goes from 0 to 62mph in 9.4 seconds. Although it's the only option available, it's a respectable engine. It's good both at low and high speeds and also returns generous fuel economy, coming in at 55 to 61mpg. 

You can drive using electric-only power, but this is only good for a few miles at a time. Regardless, when driving in stop-start traffic, this is a massive help and contributes towards a boost in fuel efficiency. 

The Corolla Commercial is a smooth and quiet van to drive and acts much more like a car than it does a van. Around town, it's superb. It has nimble handling and a comfortable suspension, while the mild-hybrid engine makes for a stress-free experience at low speeds. 

You'll have no issue getting up to motorway speeds in the Corolla Commercial, and once you're there, it offers a composed ride. The standout feature is its fuel efficiency, which is upwards of 50mpg, and means you'll stay on the road for as long as possible. 

Four driving modes are available: Eco, Normal, Power, and EV. Remain with Eco or Normal to make the most of the engine's efficiency, while Power adds slightly more throttle responsive to give it an extra kick. EV is what you'd expect; it lets you run on the battery alone if there's sufficient charge. 

Prices for the new Toyota Corolla Commercial start from £28,754.00 OTR* or to lease from £293.64 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Toyota Corolla Commercial? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.