The Toyota Corolla Altis is a sedan made in Thailand. This checklist covers three stages. First, what to ask before you book. Second, what to try on the drive. Third, what to price once you have picked a version.
Know the versions before you book
A new-car listing read on 10 October 2026 showed three versions:
- 1.6 Standard, petrol, 1,598cc, listed at S$197,888
- 1.6 Elegance, petrol, 1,598cc, listed at S$205,888
- Hybrid 1.8, petrol-electric, 1,798cc, listed at S$214,888
These prices include COE as listed on 10 October 2026. They are not today's prices. Ask the dealer for a current price in writing.
Insurers' quote forms also list a 1.4 version (1,364cc). If you are looking at a used Altis, check which engine it has. Insurers price the engines separately.
When you book, ask which version the test car is. Try to drive the one you plan to buy. If you are weighing petrol against hybrid, ask to drive both on the same day.
Questions for the dealer
Write these down and take the answers home.
- Which COE category is each version under? Our Corolla Altis price page says a 1,598cc Altis 1.6 needs a Category A COE if its power is 97kW (130bhp) or less. It needs Category B if its power is more. Ask the dealer to confirm the category for the exact version you want.
- What did the last bidding round cost? In the October 2026 2nd round, Category A closed at S$132,004 and Category B at S$131,901. Check the latest results on our COE page.
- Is the COE included in the quoted price? Ask what happens if a bid fails.
- What does the warranty cover? Ask how many years, what mileage limit, and which parts. For the hybrid, ask whether the battery has separate terms.
- Where must the car be serviced? Ask if servicing elsewhere affects the warranty.
- When is delivery? Ask what could delay it. Ask if the price is fixed until delivery.
- What differs between Standard and Elegance? Ask for a written list. Then check those items on the test car.
On the expressway
Ask if the test route can include a stretch of expressway, such as the PIE, CTE or AYE. Short routes around the showroom leave out a lot.
- Set the seat and mirrors before you leave. Can you find a position you are happy with?
- Join from a slip road. Can you judge the gap in traffic using the mirrors?
- Do a shoulder check. How much can you see out of the rear side window?
- Hold a steady speed within the posted limit. Note any noise you notice, and compare it with other cars you test.
- Ask the dealer which driver aids are fitted on your version. Ask how to switch each one on and off. Try them only where it is safe.
- Change lanes a few times. Do the mirrors cover the lane beside you?
In a tight HDB car park
Most Singapore drivers park in multi-storey car parks. Ask the dealer if you can drive into one nearby.
- Drive up a spiral ramp. Can you keep a safe gap from the kerb and the wall?
- Park forwards in a standard lot. Then park in reverse. Which way suits you?
- Open each door in a narrow lot. Is there room to get out?
- Open the boot with the car parked near a wall or pillar. Is there room to load bags?
- Make a tight turn into a lot. Can you do it in one go?
- Ask where the in-vehicle unit for ERP and car park charges is fitted. Ask if fitting is in the price.
Reversing checks
- Ask whether your version has a reversing camera, parking sensors, or both.
- Reverse into a lot using only the mirrors. Then do it again with the camera or sensors.
- Look out of the rear window. How much of the lot behind can you see?
- Check the camera picture in a dim corner of the car park. Can you read the guide lines?
- Listen to the sensor warnings. Can you tell how close you are to the wall?
Rain-ready: lights and wipers
Afternoon storms are common here. Check these items while the car is parked.
- Find the wiper stalk. Try each speed and the intermittent setting.
- Try the washer for the front screen.
- Ask if the version you want has automatic wipers or automatic headlights. If it does, ask how to set them.
- Switch the headlights on in a covered car park. Can you see the ramp walls and markings?
- Switch on the front and rear demisters. How quickly does the glass clear?
- Find the hazard light switch. Could you reach it without looking?
If you try the Hybrid 1.8
The hybrid is listed as petrol-electric. Ask the dealer to explain how it works before you set off.
- Ask how the system switches between engine and electric motor.
- Ask what each part of the dashboard display shows.
- Ask whether the car has drive modes, and what each one changes.
- Try the brakes in slow traffic and in the car park. Are you comfortable with how they respond?
- Ask about the hybrid battery warranty, if you did not ask earlier.
After the drive: road tax
Road tax depends on engine size. Under LTA's formula, checked on 19 October 2026, a 1,598cc engine costs S$741.72 a year. That is before any age surcharge.
Cars over 10 years old pay more. The surcharge starts at 10% for cars over 10 years. It rises to 50% for cars over 14 years.
The figure for the 1,798cc hybrid is not given here. Check it on LTA's OneMotoring site. Our road tax guide explains how the sums work.
After the drive: insurance quotes for your version
Once you pick a version, get quotes for that exact version. The quote form lists the Altis as 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8.
Our Corolla Altis price page prices the 1.6 (1,598cc). Its example driver is aged 40, married, with an office job and 10 years of driving. The car is 3 years old, with comprehensive cover, a 50% no-claim discount and repairs at an authorised workshop.
On 23 October 2026, 17 insurers priced that driver. The lowest premium was S$642.42. The highest was S$1,586.28. For the same driver with a car registered this year, the lowest was S$660.69. These are examples for that driver only. Your price depends on your own answers.
Excesses on those plans ranged from S$500 to S$3,000. A low premium can come with a high excess. Compare the two together.
Questions to answer before you ask for quotes:
- Which version and year will you buy?
- What is your current no-claim discount? See our NCD guide.
- Do you want repairs at an authorised workshop or any workshop? See authorised or any workshop.
- How much excess could you pay after a claim? See our excess guide.
- Who else will drive the car, and how long have they held a licence?
Car insurance through Shenton Brokers
Before you drive off or renew, get your car insurance through Shenton Brokers. Compare car insurance for the Toyota Corolla Altis to see today's prices from every insurer we compare. Or get a quote with your own details.