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Updated on: July 21, 2020
Automotive Journalist
The Toyota Corolla Sedan is one the most sold car in car history and also by the Toyota itself which makes it a really important car for them and for us as well. Toyota says that they had sold over 43 Million units of Corolla in the last 50 years which is a lot. Toyota promises few things well - offering ample passenger space, comfortable seats, and a suite of standard safety tech but what it lacks is an exciting performance. These are not usually driven by people who think much about driving, instead, it became popular by providing comfortable, and dependable transportation for millions. Often mocked by enthusiasts as an appliance, the Corolla has skilfully managed to be a reliable A to B transport for a vast majority of people
Numerous standard safety features
High-quality cabin
Serene ride
Stylish exterior design
No Android Auto
Scant rear-seat legroom
Not as athletic as rivals
Fully redesigned
New 2.0 liter powertrain
Corolla Hybrid debuts
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Features
Fuel Economy
Interior
Exterior
Safety
Competition
7.4
OVERALL RATING
Overall Rating
Toyota Corolla Sedan is one the most sold car in car history and also by the Toyota itself which makes it a really important car for them and for us as well. Toyota Corolla Sedan is one the most sold car in car history and also by the Toyota itself which makes it a really important car for them and for us as well. Toyota says that they have sold over 43 Million units of Corolla in the last 50 years.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact size family sedan and suits perfectly for long riders or daily use at an affordable price. It is now offered in a hatchback design as well. Another major novelty will be the 169 hp inline-four motor which makes it an irresistible package, and one the best in the compact entry-level segment.
8.0/10
Features
6.0/10
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
Interior
4.0/10
Exterior
8.7/10
Safety
8.0/10
Competition
Corolla is the brand’s compact sedan which placed above the subcompact Yaris and below the more premium Camry and Avalon. The 2020 Toyota Corolla L sedan starts at $ 19,500 and goes up to $25, 000 for the top trim. The Corolla sedan comes in five trim levels – L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE – and with a 1.8 or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard, and you can get the larger engine with a six-speed manual transmission. The Corolla does include complimentary scheduled maintenance. Which boast:
Trims |
L |
LE |
SE |
XLE |
XSE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$19,600 |
$20,050 |
$22,050 |
$24,050 |
$22.550 |
Features |
15-inch steel wheels |
16-inch steel wheels |
17-inch alloy wheels |
17-inch alloy wheels |
17-inch alloy wheels |
LED headlights, LED daytime running lights |
Variable intermittent wipers |
LED daytime running lights |
Eight-way power-adjustable seats |
Led taillights, bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights |
|
A driver information display-k |
Metallic cabin accents |
Steering wheel with paddle shifters(for CVT models) |
Paddle shifters |
App-based GPS navigation system |
|
6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system |
7-inch touch-infotainment system with navigation |
7-inch touch infotainment with sat radio and navigation |
7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation |
7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation |
|
No moon/sunroof |
Sunroof is available |
Moon roof option available |
Available sun/moon roof |
Moon roof available |
|
Automated emergency braking |
Automatic climate control |
Upgraded infotainment system |
Keyless entry and ignition |
Heated front seats |
The Corolla sedan can be amusing in the right configuration, but most variants are sluggish and have a ride quality that trails more refined rivals. Your best bet is a SE or XSE model as they come with the 2.0-litre engine, which is much better for everyday driving. These variants also have features you won't find in more economical trims, like automatic climate control, more-supportive front sport seats, and an upgraded infotainment system with a larger screen.
Corolla’s 1.4 litres inline-four produces 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque, even with low on grunt the powertrain is capable of handling everyday runabout. The competent 2.0-litre engine produces 169 hp and 142 lb-ft of torque with fixed first gear transmission which has improved a lot over previous generations. It gets the job done without much drama. The manual transmission is second quicker than the automatic and accounts for better driving dynamics.
Toyota now equips the Corolla with a more responsive engine than before for a spirited driving experience. Immediately it becomes a serious rival to alternatives like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, with its 169 hp four-banger available in SE and XLE.
Economy cars of the current generation are turning into humble sleepers so you better stay with CVT rather than the manual. There is also a 121 hp Corolla hybrid which mates a 1.8-litre engine with a 53 kWh electric motor and proves to be very efficient if not powerful.
Models |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$20,050 |
$21,835 |
$21,000 |
$21,835 |
Engine |
2.0 L inline-four |
2.0 L inline-four |
2.5 L inline-four |
2.0 L inline-four |
Transmission |
CVT |
6-speed manual |
6-speed manual |
6-speed manual |
Horsepower |
169hp @ 6000 rpm |
174 hp @ 6500 rpm |
186 hp @ 6000 rpm |
147 hp @ 6200 rpm |
Torque |
162 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm |
180 lb.-ft. @6000 rpm |
132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm |
The asthmatic four-banger feels sluggish with the CVT transmission if compared to the rivals such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Folks can opt for stick shift for the more involved driving experience. Enthusiast seeking sports-oriented output can opt for Honda Civic or the Mazda 3. The Hyundai Elantra is a step behind in terms of performance when contrasted with rivals.
Corolla’s dating engine hinders the overall acceleration of the car. The scarcity of enough torque and horsepower are the real reasons for Corolla’s underperformance. You can get to 60 mph from standstill in 8.2 seconds which is good enough for an economy vehicle.
Being an entry-level sedan it is not meant for performance and makes an unpleasant whine on higher rpm’s. It takes a long 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill and a painstaking 17.2 seconds to reach the quarter-mile mark.
Models |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH(sec) |
8.2 |
8.2 |
8.0 |
8.3 |
Quarter mile(sec) |
16.2 |
16.3 |
16.2 |
16.4 |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year) |
9.8 |
8.4 |
11.2 |
10.2 |
The competitors from the Far East pack better technology and a second quicker sprinting time from standstill to 60 mph. It stays at the bottom of the acceleration test when contrasted with its rivals. The inline-four of Corolla is a snoozer while others in the rivalry dashes faster in highway traffic and around-town driving.
The Corolla is not the vehicle for people who do the aggressive driving. It offers what is known as an "avenue ride." It is smooth and serene over long distances. The car doesn't flounder and the current model has substantially more responsive handling than prior renditions of the vehicle, light steering enables the Corolla to feel agile around town. Compared to its previous iterations the 2020 Toyota Corolla is a vast improvement, courtesy of new TNGA(Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, and the new 2.0-litre inline-four powertrain. The suspension has also been upgraded but it only makes the ride much stiffer, undulations enter the lodge with a clunk and more head-jarring experience.
Handling has also been improved which helps to make this car feel well sorted in corners and keeps things calm on rougher roads. While the Corolla's ride-and-handling balance is more positive than before, it won't trouble sportier compacts such as the Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, or Honda Civic. The ride is comforting, however greater undulations enter the lodge with a clunk and more head-jarring than in opponents. On the interstate, the Corolla shows great stability in windy circumstances. Its suspension is basic, with MacPherson strut in front and simple torsion-pillar setup at the back. Indeed, even in SE and XSE trims, the Corolla is intended more for an enjoyable than zippy handling.
Braking
You will experience nosedives while emergency braking in the latest Corolla sedan while there is sufficient stopping power for everyday drivability. The brakes provide ample amount of response plus easy to modulate too.
The pedal travel is small and it doesn’t have the squish that plagues some of the other Toyota models. The XSE test car does have four-wheel disc brakes, a feature shared only with the SE; all other Corolla sedans rely on rear drum brakes.
Models |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
10.8 |
10.2 |
10.7 |
10.3 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
9.1 |
9.8 |
9.5 |
9.7 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
2840 |
2742 |
2899 |
2767 |
70-0 MPH (ft.) |
183 |
180 |
179 |
182 |
In emergency braking tests, the Corolla needed 183 feet to stop, which is slightly longer than average for this segment. However, Corolla’s brakes do not inspire much confidence during panic stops. The 2957-pound compact needed 183 feet to stop from 70 mph, which is longer than the rivals, they also get mushy after repetitive braking.
The little inline-four of Corolla manages to return a decent fuel economy and stays lighter on the pocket. With either transmission, this new motor feels like a great fit for the Corolla, providing a good amount of power and fuel economy with little fuss or effort, but the manual-equipped version is the most enjoyable. The XSE comes with a 2.0-litre engine mated to a CVT and puts out 31/38/34 mpg.
Models |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
31 |
32 |
27 |
28 |
MPG (highway) |
38 |
42 |
36 |
37 |
MPG (combined) |
34 |
36 |
30 |
32 |
Corolla is the least efficient among all the rivals that too from the slowest engine. It lacks behind the rivals in terms of efficiency despite being less powerful.
How comfortable is the driver seat depends on your body type, for shorter and thinner people it is a breeze otherwise taller individuals may have an issue. Where the front space has always been nice, the back-seat legroom resembles that of a Toyota’s Camry. The SE features a 3-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheels with pedal shifters, it has 6-way adjustable driver and 4-way adjustable passenger sport seats and 60/40-fold-down rear seats with fold-down centre armrest. How comfortable is the driver seat depends on your body type, for shorter and thinner people it is a breeze otherwise taller individuals may have an issue. For the price you pay, the seating upholstery and surface materials are brimming with quality for such an affordable vehicle.
Inside, the Corolla is basic and straightforward, which is great in every case. Toyota’s upstanding dashboard isn't as off-putting, yet it makes for an uncommon driving position. A standard 6.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment can be moved up to a 7.0-inch unit on higher trims, while programmed atmosphere controls on most sit underneath. Toyota utilizes many surface materials and materials, which give the Corolla four-door a bustling look.
Models |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.3/54.8/42.3 |
39.3/57.0/37.1 |
38.3/54.8/42.3 |
38.8/56.2/42.3 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.1/55.0/37.4 |
37.1/55.0/37.4 |
37.6/54.4/35.8 |
37.3/55.0/35.7 |
You will find the interior quality of hot favourites such as Honda Civic and Mazda 3 much appealing than the Corolla. In terms of interior space, there is not much of a difference in between all the rivals.
The Base-model Corollas have basic cabin layout with apt comfort or convenience features. A revised dashboard incorporates-
The Entune infotainment system makes a reappearance in this year’s Corolla. Its simplicity is a decent factor but the average responsive time meddle with the overall performance. Now, it can finally match with the technological advancements of other rivals. Smartphone integration with Apple Car Play and Android Auto now comes standard. Corolla is installed with a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen display with voice command and Bluetooth connectivity, a 7.0-inch system with Sirius XM satellite and a navigation app for smartphone use, USB port, a six-speaker audio system, moonroof, automatic climate.
More highlights of the infotainment features include:
The 13 cu ft of broad cargo space can manage enough room for 10 shopping bags. The large trunk opening makes loading and unloading an easy task as well. The split-folding rear seats can add room your larger items but are recalcitrant when one actually uses it.
Models |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Capacity (lbs.) |
13.0 |
15.2 |
12.4 |
14.4 |
The main drawback of extra legroom in the back seat is diminished space in the trunk. The cargo space of the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra are bigger than the Corolla’s undersized 13-cubic-foot space. That being said, you'll get more storing capabilities in some of the other rivals.
After having a closer look at the stylized Corolla’s exterior, there might be expectations higher than its performance dynamics; which are pathetically slow than ever. The Corolla has not changed much in dimensions and still comes in the range of the compact car. A beautiful character line rises to from the front fender and ends at the rear decklid where you will notice a narrow combination of LED taillights. From the side and back, the Corolla is very understated, not like the brash looking European sedans.
The dimensions are taut which makes it easy for you to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. The SE and XSE trim arguably looks best, both of which include trim-specific LED accent lighting, smoked taillights, chrome exhaust tips, and tail spoiler. For colouring the exterior of the 2020 Corolla, you can choose between eight hues with varying availability based on trim choice.
Model |
Toyota Corolla Sedan |
Honda Civic |
Mazda 3 |
Hyundai Elantra |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
2840 |
2724 |
2899 |
2767 |
Length(in) |
183.1 |
182.3 |
180.3 |
179.9 |
Width(in) |
69.9 |
70.8 |
70.7 |
70.9 |
Height(in) |
57.3 |
55.7 |
57.3 |
56.5 |
Ground clearance (in) |
6.7 |
6.3 |
6.1 |
5.3 |
Wheelbase (in) |
106.3 |
106.3 |
106.3 |
106.3 |
All the other rivals have similar dimensions while the Corolla is longest which makes up for more legroom. The ground clearance and wheelbase is also identical for all the cars.
A glossy-black mesh grille that’s meant to look sporty, the side and rear panels looks conventional as in the previous variants.
You can conclude that Toyota is a safety superstar, it gets good ratings from various safety institutes. The Corolla comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active safety and driver assistance features which include :
The legendary Honda Civic promises compact-car excellence with its mix of practicality and a fun-to-drive persona. It’s available with two excellent four-cylinder engines and either a CVT transmission or a six-speed manual. The Civic outranks the Corolla because of its nimbler handling, and it's upscale inside. Then again, the Corolla is a better value product, as it is furnished with more standard highlights, and it normally wins higher anticipated unwavering quality evaluations.Still, the Honda is more fun to drive, it has a nicer interior, and it serves up more back-seat space than the Corolla.
Mazda 3 offers sharp looks, a premium interior, and superb driving elements. The 3 is available in both vehicle and hatchback body styles, with a rev-happy inline 4 motors and a choice of either a smooth six-speed manual or a nearly as-fulfilling six-speed automatic transmission. Neither powertrain will humiliate a rival in a stoplight race, yet the 3 is a star while charging surprising byways. As an everyday driver, it's viable, comfortable, and stylish. The driving dynamics of Mazda are far better than the Corolla and the engine is rev-happy, unlike the Toyota.
Quite promptly, Hyundai has lifted the Elantra from rental-staple to rising star in its class. Its alluring looks and ample choices make it an amicable decision. It's refined and eco-friendly four-cylinder motors match with either a manual or automatic transmission. An Eco variant flaunts more torque and a fast-shifting seven-speed double-clutch automatic. Aside from the base model, each Elantra has a phenomenal infotainment framework with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In spite of its appeal, the Hyundai is endangered by a smallish rearward sitting arrangement like the Corolla and dreary driving dynamics. All things being equal, it's sufficient to put its greatest opponents on notice.
The 2020 Toyota Corolla is a brilliant purchase. It offers great safety features, has a past filled with anticipated reliability and customer loyalty. Luckily, there is now much enthusiasm in the Corolla, especially with respect to the engine. One of the world's best-sellers --it has continued to find a place in an American market that has rapidly shifted from sedans to SUVs and Crossover's. It's easy to overlook this drawback if you prioritize practicality over thrills. Still, it's worth taking a look at some competitors that are both sensible and sensational.