2023 Toyota Corolla

Overview

The twelfth-generation Toyota Corolla offers impressive fuel efficiency and an abundance of standard safety features in a compact package that looks far more exciting than it is to drive. The most powerful Corolla gets a four-cylinder engine with a mere 169 horsepower that fails to accelerate the car with any verve. Other small cars such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 are more nimble, responsive, and peppy, which makes them considerably more engaging to drive. A vast range of models is what sets the Corolla apart from other compacts. Offered as both a sedan or hatchback, the Corolla is also sold with an incredibly fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain with front- or all-wheel drive. Adults can comfortably sit in the rear seats, making the Corolla an affordable new car for people who need a reliable people mover. Driving the Corolla won’t knock your socks off, but its efficiency and style are guaranteed to impress.

What’s New for 2023?

Toyota makes significant trim-level and powertrain changes to the Corolla for 2023. Corolla Hybrid models gain SE and XLE trim levels, while all-wheel drive is now optional for Hybrid SE and LE trims. The 139-hp 1.8-liter sold with the L, LE, and XLE trims has been replaced by the 169-hp 2.0-liter previously only available with SE, XSE, and Apex. A new 8.0-inch infotainment screen replaces smaller displays on all Corollas as standard equipment. The XSE and XLE now use a redesigned 7.0-inch gauge cluster; all models get an updated 4.2-inch cluster. Every Corolla receives minor visual tweaks like LED daytime driving lights and redesigned headlights for the SE, XSE, and XLE. The SE and XSE models also get a new rear diffuser and fresh 18-inch Gloss Graphite wheels. Corolla hatchbacks have a redesigned grille, LED headlights, and rear bumper with chrome accents. Finally, the base L trim has been removed, leaving LE models as the new entry-level Corolla.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

LE

$22,100 (est)

SE

$22,490 (est)

Nightshade

$24,490 (est)

Hybrid LE

$25,375 (est)

XSE

$25,440 (est)

Hybrid SE

$26,000 (est)

XLE

$26,150 (est)

Apex

$26,900 (est)

Hybrid XLE

$27,150 (est)

We’d choose the sporty-ish SE sedan. Along with a tauter suspension that makes it nicer to drive than the regular setup, it’s available with a manual transmission. We’d happily check that box, even though it voids the option packages that are otherwise available with the standard continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Thankfully, the Corolla SE sedan still comes standard with plenty of features to keep us satisfied. The list includes 18-inch wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front sport seats, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Corolla uses a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). An optional six-speed manual is available for SE, and Apex SE models. While all hatchbacks share that same powertrain, the sedan also offers a hybrid powertrain. Our tests of the Corolla SE hatchback and the Corolla XSE sedan proved that even the strongest engine doesn’t deliver adequate acceleration. The Toyota twins were quite prudent around town and steady on the highway, however. Unfortunately, hard acceleration produced coarse engine sounds that diminished their refinement. Both the Corolla sedan and the hatchback have a pleasant ride quality that adequately isolates all but the worst bumps. Their controlled body motions also provide better agility than previous iterations. The Corolla SE and XSE further separate themselves with a stiffer sport-tuned suspension and the latter’s larger 18-inch wheels (everything else rides on either 15- or 16-inch rims). Still, compared with athletic and engaging rivals, such as the Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf, the Corolla’s progressive steering is satisfactory but not exemplary. While neither Corolla body style had impressive results in our 70-mph-to-zero braking test—requiring between 174 and 183 feet—their brake pedals were dependable and natural-feeling.

More on the Corolla

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Along with a fuel-efficient four-cylinder, the Corolla sedan offers an immensely thrifty hybrid model. The EPA estimates the front-drive hybrid will earn 53 mpg city and 52 highway. Comparatively, the government estimates the nonhybrid 169-hp 2.0-liter engine will earn up to 40 mpg highway. The hybrid we tested earned 56 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route; the Corolla XSE sedan we tested saw 41 mpg. The Corolla hatchback is rated up to 32 mpg city and 42 highway. We tested hatchbacks with the automatic and manual and they earned 40 and 36 mpg, respectively. The EPA hasn’t rated all-wheel drive hybrid models yet, but we’ll update this space when that information becomes available.

For more information about the Corolla’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Corolla hatchback and sedan share a streamlined dashboard and soft-touch materials. Most models have passive entry and push-button start. Others can also be upgraded with ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. Those who regularly have back-seat passengers should consider the sedan over the hatchback since it has considerably more legroom behind the front seats. The Corolla hatchback has 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind its back seat, but we only fit two carry-on bags back there. However, the new no-cost Enhanced Cargo Space option expands that area by 6 cubic feet (23 total) by replacing the spare tire with a tire-repair kit. While the sedan only has 13 cubes of trunk volume, we squeezed eight bags inside. Both body styles had inferior interior cubby storage compared with some more capacious rivals. Thankfully, there’s a convenient tray at the front of their center console and a useful bin below the armrest.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Corolla has a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The 8.0-inch touchscreen bezel dominates the dashboard, but its numerous hard buttons and rotary volume and tuning knobs help keep the driver’s eyes on the road during use. Top options include wireless charging and an upgraded JBL audio system.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The entire Corolla lineup also offers a host of standard driver-assistance technology including automatic high beams and road sign assist.

For more information about the Corolla’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota provides the Corolla with a competitive warranty that’s highlighted by complimentary scheduled maintenance. However, rivals such as the Hyundai Elantra and the Kia Forte offer much longer powertrain coverages that span 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2020 Toyota Corolla sedan

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

BASE PRICES
L, $20,430;
LE, $20,880;
SE, $22,880;
LE hybrid, $23,880;
XLE, $24,880;
XSE, $26,380

ENGINE TYPES
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter inline-4, 121 hp, 105 lb-ft + permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 71 hp, 105 lb-ft (combined output, 121 hp, 105 lb-ft; 1.3-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack); DOHC 16-valve 1.8-liter inline-4, 139 hp, 126 lb-ft; DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 169 hp, 151 lb-ft 

TRANSMISSIONS
6-speed manual, continuously variable automatic, continuously variable automatic with 1 fixed ratio and manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 106.3 in

Length: 182.3 in

Width: 70.1 in

Height: 56.5 in

Passenger volume: 90 cu ft

Cargo volume: 13 cu ft

Curb weight (C/D est): 2950–3150 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)

Zero to 60 mph: 7.3–10.0 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 21.5–31.0 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 15.8–17.5 sec

Top speed: 100–115 mph

EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)

Combined/city/highway: 32–52/29–53/36–52 mpg

C/D
TEST RESULTS
2020 Toyota Corolla XSE sedan
• 169-hp inline-4,  continuously variable automatic, 3103 lb, base/as-tested price: $26,380/$26,629

Zero to 60 mph: 8.0 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 16.3 sec @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited) 118 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 174 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
C/D observed fuel economy: 28 mpg

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More Features and Specs