Toyota has boosted the Corolla hatchback lineup with the launch of a value-packed Sport Special Edition Ascent model.

The sporty Corolla (manual or automatic) is priced from $22,250 – that’s $510 more than the regular Corolla Ascent hatch, but Toyota has loaded the 1600 Special Edition variants with $1,600 worth of extras.

For starters there is a unique Tidal Blue paint colour (or you can still select one of the seven normal Corolla colours). 

Other external upgrades are 16-inch ‘blade’ alloy wheels with low-profile 205/55R16 tyres, a front spoiler, larger rear spoiler and front fog lights.

Inside the ‘Sport’ Special Edition Corolla gains Toyota’s ‘Gen Y’ audio system with an LCD display, amber backlighting, joystick, single CD player and Bluetooth/USB connectivity. Toyota has also added cruise control and upgraded steering wheel and gear levers.

For an extra $500 you can include an optional safety pack which brings three SRS airbags (two side curtain airbags and a drivers’ knee airbag).

With its handy 1.8-litre, 100kW/175Nm powerplant and a choice of six-speed manual or four-speed automatic, plus standard traction control and stability control, the Corolla is a generously equipped small car and the ‘Sport’ Special Edition hatchback is a good buy.