The transmission is the next thing in line that continues to impress you. Butter-smooth and precise is how one would describe the six-speed box of the Altis. Did you read six-speed? Yes, you did. Quite astonishingly, Toyota have mated their diesel engine with a six-speed box, something that’s unique in this class.
Come to the drive quality of the Altis and it doesn’t disappoint you either. The suspension is slightly on the softer side, but, in any case, you wouldn’t expect it to be stiff and sporty for a car in this segment. The steering is well weighted, but gives a hint of understeer while hard cornering. But again, it’s not an enthusiast’s car and is not expected to be driven hard round the corners.
Look at the cabin of the Altis and there is nothing surprisingly new. Apart from the wood inserts, which continue to be the disappointing bit, the interior of the Altis looks okay. The equipment level on the Corolla is remarkably good with automatic headlamps, tilt and telescopic steering, multi-information display and steering-mounted controls etc. Another big asset of the Altis has been its amazing legroom and comfort.
So how is the idea to own a Corolla Altis diesel? A fantastic deal if you look at the price tag. No one expected the Altis to vanquish the competition with its tag alone. Rs. 12.6 lakh for the base version and Rs 15.8 lakh for the top end (OTR Pune) is killer pricing. Even better are the fuel efficiency figures that stand at 16 km per litre within city and 23 kpl on highways, beating even the small cars in the market!
If you look at the competition that the Altis faces, the Chevrolet Cruze is the only option at that price. The Cruze is a much more powerful option, but the Toyota brand, which spells reliability and efficiency, will put the Cruze far behind the Altis. The Skoda Octavia is on the verge of extinction and if you consider the Laura, it’s a machine in a class apart, but has a much higher price tag too (Rs 3 lakh more than the Altis).
In short, Toyota have struck it perfect with the Altis diesel version. Quick, tractable, efficient, luxurious and inexpensive – what else does one want?
