Our Opinion - 2026 Toyota Corolla Review The Toyota Corolla has long been a popular choice for individuals seeking dependable, safe everyday transportation, and for good reason: it has numerous advantages. The normal non-hybrid system is designed to save you money at the pump, but the optional hybrid powertrain improves fuel efficiency even more. The Corolla’s desirability is enhanced by the fact that it is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. Despite being a laid-back little car with a pleasant ride and an easy-to-park shape, we prefer competitors such as the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3, which provide comparable packages with superior driving manners. What's New? This year, the Corolla Hatchback gets an FX makeover. The FX Edition hatchback, like the previous year’s FX Edition sedan, has exterior styling modifications that give it a more aggressive appearance. The exterior is painted Ice Cap, Inferno, and Blue Crush Metallic, with highlights like a rear wing and white 18-inch wheels. The FX hatchback’s interior features orange contrasting stitching on the door panels and sport seats with suede inserts. Only 1600 FX Edition Corolla hatchbacks will be manufactured. Pros and Cons Pros Borrows the external style of the Camry. Modern technology. Potential PHEV model. Cons The Civic outperforms in most areas. The Corolla doesn’t offer an EV option. Engine, Transmission, and Performance A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sends power to the front wheels from the Corolla’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 169 horsepower. The sedan includes a hybrid powertrain in addition to the one present in all hatchbacks. Although the Toyota twins were very cautious in town and steady on the highway, our tests of the Corolla SE hatchback and the Corolla XSE sedan revealed that they required patience to get up to speed, and that strong acceleration resulted in some unpleasant engine noises that detracted from the refinement. The Corolla hatchback and sedan both have a pleasant ride that efficiently eliminates all but the most severe bumps. They are also more nimble than previous iterations because of their controlled body movements. The Corolla SE and XSE stand out even more with their larger 18-inch wheels and more rigid sport-tuned suspension (everything else has 15- or 16-inch rims). Nonetheless, the Corolla’s progressive steering is good but not extraordinary when compared to sporty and engaging competitors such as the Mazda 3 and Honda Civic. Their brake pedals were consistent and responded intuitively to inputs, despite the fact that neither Corolla body style fared well in our 70 mph to zero braking test, which needed 174 to 183 feet. Safety The whole Corolla model line includes a number of standard driver-assistance functions, including traffic sign assistance and automatic high beams. Toyota refers to its standard feature set as Safety Sense 3.0. Important safety elements include the following: Automated emergency braking and conventional forward collision warning. Normal lane-keeping assistance and lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control is standard. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Corolla sedan and hatchback both use soft-touch materials and have a streamlined dashboard. The majority of automobiles include push-button start and passive entry. Other available features include heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ambient inside lighting. The sedan has significantly more legroom behind the front seats than the hatchback, so those who frequently have backseat guests should give it some consideration. In our tests, the Corolla hatchback could only fit two carry-on bags in its 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat. However, by replacing the spare tire with a tire repair kit, the new, free Enhanced Cargo Space option doubles the space by six cubic feet (to a total of 23). Even though the sedan’s trunk only has 13 cubic feet, we were able to store eight luggage inside. Compared to some larger competitors, both body styles feature fewer cubby storage spaces. Fortunately, their center console includes storage beneath the armrests as well as a tray in the front. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The non-hybrid vehicle obtained ratings of 32 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while the hybrid model achieved 50 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 47 mpg combined. The EPA has yet to disclose fuel efficiency data for the 2026 Corolla. On our 75 mph fuel-economy route, the all-wheel-drive hybrid we tested got 40 mpg, while the gas-only Corolla XSE sedan with front-wheel drive got 41 mpg. Our test hatchbacks achieved 40 and 36 mpg, respectively. Infotainment and Connectivity Each Corolla includes a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A larger 10.5-inch touchscreen is also possible. Four USB-C ports—two on the front and two on the back a 12V accessory port, wireless charging functionality, and an improved JBL audio system are also included. Range, Charging, and Battery Life The last hatchback we tested reached 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive hybrid vehicle took 9.0 seconds. The hatchback’s top speed is set at 111 mph, while the hybrid’s is 107 mph. Price and How to Choose Depending on the grade and accessories, the 2026 Toyota Corolla is expected to cost between $24,000 and $30,000. We’d go with the sporty (by Corolla standards) SE sedan because of its tauter suspension, which makes driving more fun than the LE and XLE models. LED headlights, 18-inch wheels and tires, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are just a few of the standard features on the Corolla SE sedan.
