5 reasons why the world’s most popular car is a gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving…

SINGAPORE — Christmas is definitely about presents, both giving and receiving, but getting a new set of wheels for the entire family is certainly something that can spread the joy around in a really big way.

What’s the best gift of all? Well it should be one that ‘keeps on giving’, and by that, you could point out that science actually tells us that spending money on experiences rather than material things is better, but there are some special cases.

A great car is one that delivers positive experiences in every way – from the time you first purchase it, until it’s time to change to the next one. Which is why the Toyota Corolla Altis makes the perfect Christmas gift – it’s one that keeps on giving many years down the road, and here are five reasons why.

1. Everybody loves a Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s most popular car, and by the time you finish reading this sentence, another one has been sold somewhere in the 150 different countries where it’s on sale now.

There are cars and there are icons. But the Toyota Corolla Altis is an icon that is very different – sure it’s not quirky cool, neither is it a super-sexy sports car, but that’s arguably the most interesting thing about it: A Corolla is much more than just the sum of its parts. It’s a bit difficult to pin down, but one thing’s for sure, the Corolla is the world’s most popular car, bar none. As of September 2016, the ‘Corolla’ nameplate has been around for 50 years and sold 44.1-million units worldwide. In fact, the total number of Corollas could ring the world five times over, and a Corolla is sold every 15 seconds.

2. There’s a Corolla Altis for everyone
Now the key thing about something that everyone has, like an iPhone, is that it’s boring. But the latest 11-generation Corolla Altis brings a whole lot to the table when it comes to individuality. That’s because it’s currently sold in three different grades here in Singapore, the better to suit a wide range of budgets. The Elegance grade delivers a tonne of bang for the buck since it packs a powered driver’s seat, automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers, keyless start and entry, Nanoe automatic climate control and 17-inch alloy rims, amongst other things, and all for just $5,000 more over the Standard grade.

There’s also an extra special  50th Anniversary Edition which is all decked-out in sportier kit. And if that’s not enough there’s also a range of totally legal, authorised-distributor backed modifications for both performance and looks, if you feel the already-sharp, new styling of the latest Corolla Altis needs some bolstering.


3. A Corolla Altis makes life easier….
But this Christmas gift isn’t just sweetly wrapped; you get a whole list of key features on the inside emphasizing its worth that comes along with it.

One of the key things about the Corolla Altis is it’s welcoming nature: Step into the cockpit and you’ll feel somewhat at home. The controls are incredibly simple to navigate and aren’t least bit intimidating. Especially in the Elegance model, there’s numerous, high-tech features like LED headlamps, Toyota Telematics infotainment system with navigation, keyless entry and start – so you don’t have to fiddle with real keys, a boon when you’re trying to fill the boot space of 470-litres with more presents. And if you need to carry a Christmas tree, well, the rear seats can be folded down too. Oh and don’t worry about the pine dust either, because the car comes equipped with climate control and a in-built Nanoe air purifier too.

4. …and it’s easier on your wallet too
Toyota’s are well-known for their reliability and the Corolla Altis is no exception – ask any owner of one and you’d very likely confirm that fact, too. In fact, the Toyota Corolla topped JD Power’s quality survey for new cars in 2016 as well as for overall reliability and quality in the USA (the models look different but are mechanically very similar). And the quoted fuel efficiency rating of 6.5L/100km is good for a sedan like this, but in real life the car is capable of being even more frugal. Which leaves you money to spend on smaller gifts, we guess.

5. There’s no better time to grab one than Christmas
The best thing about the Corolla Altis is that this gift (of the ‘keeps-on-giving’ sort) is now more affordable than ever and, thanks to Christmas, comes loaded with even more benefits. The retail price is now among the lowest it’s ever been, at $97,988 with COE, and that includes a free upgrade to a guaranteed COE. There’s also a whole two-years you can go without paying for servicing (worth $1,242), since the package includes 24-months of free servicing, and a DriveHappy Discount as well.

So it’s much more of a great gift that surely isn’t going to be a burden, but an honest investment in the long run. It’s a gift that gives lots of great experiences, and lets you share the DriveHappy spirit in the festive season.