Toyota has launched the all-new 12^th generation of Australia’s biggest-selling passenger car, the Corolla, which has moved 1.4 million units here since 1966 on the basis of ‘boring and basic but affordable’ motoring.

The new hatchback gets a more powerful engine, a class-leading safety package and a significant improvement in the way it handles and steers.

But all that comes at a significant cost. The cheapest automatic Corolla you can buy is now $27,000 including on-road charges.