Our Opinion - 2023 Toyota Corolla Review The 12th-generation Toyota Corolla is a small car that gets excellent gas mileage and has many safety features as standard, but it’s much less fun to drive than it looks. The Corolla with the most power has a four-cylinder engine that only makes 169 horsepower and moves slowly. Other small cars, like the Mazda 3 and Honda Civic, are much more agile, quick, and lively, which makes them much more fun to drive. The Corolla stands out from other small cars because it has many different models. The Corolla comes as a sedan, a hatchback, and a hybrid with front- or all-wheel drive that gets excellent gas mileage. Because adults can sit in the back seats without feeling too cramped, the Corolla is a cheap new car for people who need a reliable people mover but don’t want to spend a lot. Even though driving a Corolla won’t blow your mind, you’ll be impressed by how well it works and how nice it looks. What's New? Toyota says that the Corolla’s trim levels and the engine will change significantly in 2023. There are now SE and XLE trim levels for the Corolla Hybrid, and SE and LE models now come with all-wheel drive. A 2.0-liter engine has replaced the 1.8-liter engine in the L, LE, and XLE models with 169 hp. Toyota has taken away the option of a six-speed manual transmission for 2023, making the Corolla one of many cars that can only be bought with an automatic transmission. Instead of the smaller screens that used to come with Corollas, they all now come with an 8.0-inch screen for entertainment. The cluster of gauges on all models is now 4.2 inches, and the groups on the XSE and XLE are now 7.0 inches. Minor changes to the Corolla’s appearance include LED daytime running lights and new headlights for the SE, XSE, and XLE. The SE and XSE models also get a rear diffuser and new 18-inch Gloss Graphite alloy wheels. The grille on the 2018 Toyota Corolla hatchbacks has been changed, and they now have LED headlights and a rear bumper with chrome accents. The trims Nightshade and Apex are no longer for sale. Lastly, the base L trim has been removed, so the LE model is now the entry-level Corolla. Pros And Cons Pros: A comfortable ride High fuel economy Easy-to-use device for entertainment A lot of safety features are the same. Cons: In the back of a hatchback, the seats are tight. There is little room for luggage. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Corolla has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and an automatic transmission that constantly changes speed (CVT). Even though all hatchbacks have the same machine, the sedan can also be bought as a hybrid. Even the most potent engine can’t make a car go fast enough, as we saw when we tested the Corolla SE hatchback and the Corolla XSE sedan. On the other hand, the Toyota twins were careful and drove slowly on the highway. Unpleasant engine noises caused by quick acceleration took away from how nice they looked. We tested the last hatchback type from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, while the all-wheel drive hybrid took 9.0 seconds. Both the hatchback and the sedan versions of the Corolla have a smooth ride that keeps out all but the most jarring bumps. Because of how their bodies move, they are also more agile than in earlier versions. The Corolla SE and XSE are even more different because the XSE has 18-inch wheels, and the SE has 16-inch wheels (everything else rides on either 15- or 16-inch rims). Compared to rivals like the Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf, which are quick and fun to drive, the Corolla’s progressive steering is good but not great. Even though it took between 174 and 183 feet to stop from 70 miles per hour, both body styles of the Corolla did very well in our test, and the brake pedals felt firm and quick. Safety Several basic driver-assistance features, like automatic high beams and help reading traffic signs, are available on all Corolla models. Among the essential safety features are the following: Automatic emergency braking and a warning of a possible front-end collision are standard. It contains technology to keep you in your lane and the standard lane-departure warning. standard adaptive cruise control Internal and External Cargo Capacity Inside, the hatchback and sedan versions of the Corolla have a new dashboard and soft-touch materials. Most come with a push-button start and a passive entry as standard. Others can pick from options like interior lighting that changes color, climate control with two zones, and heated front seats. Because there is more legroom behind the front seats in a sedan than in a hatchback, people who often have people in the back should choose a sedan. The Corolla hatchback only had enough room under the back seat for two carry-on bags. The new, free Enhanced Cargo Space option increases the volume by six cubic feet by replacing the spare tire with a tire repair kit (totaling 23). Even though the car’s trunk is only 13 cubic feet, we could fit eight suitcases. Both body styles have less storage space inside than cars in the same class. Its center console is helpful because it has a tray in front and storage behind the armrest. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The Corolla car has a four-cylinder engine and a very efficient hybrid engine. The EPA estimates 50 cities and 43 highway mpg for the front-wheel drive hybrid. The all-wheel drive hybrid will get 47 city mpg and 41 highway mpg. The government estimates that a non-hybrid vehicle with a 2.0-liter engine and 169 horsepower can get 41 highway mpg. On our 75-mph fuel-economy route, the hybrid we tested got 40 mpg, while the Corolla XSE sedan got 41 mpg. The Corolla hatchback gets up to 32 mpg in both the city and on the highway. Both of the hatchbacks we tried got 40 and 36 miles per gallon. Infotainment and Connectivity A touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a pay-per-use Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard in every Corolla. The dashboard’s center is the 8.0-inch touchscreen bezel, but the many hard buttons, rotary volume, and tuning knobs let the driver keep their eyes on the road while using the device. The improved JBL sound system and wireless charging are both popular options. Price and How to Choose We’d choose the SE sedan, which is more sporty. Along with a tighter suspension, which makes driving more comfortable than with a standard set-up. We still like a lot of simple things about the Corolla SE sedan. The list includes front sport seats, wheels measuring 18 inches, a steering wheel covered in leather, LED headlights, and a touchscreen measuring 8.0 inches that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
