2020 Toyota Corolla

Overview

With its long history of providing affordable transportation, the Corolla has always been a great choice for savvy buyers. While the previous generation had improved safety, it lacked the style and substance found on rivals. The all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla attempts to enhance its reputation with flashier styling inside and out, more desirable features, and an improved driving experience. Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Corolla has more character than before but falls short of replacing the segment's most sought-after.

What’s New for 2020?

While Toyota completely redesigned the Corolla hatchback for 2019, the version with a trunk arrives a year later as the all-new 2020 Corolla sedan. Along with a much improved interior and better looking exterior, the Corolla lineup adds a hybrid model for the first time. Both body styles are also now built on Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA), which underpins the highly popular Toyota Camry and the even more popular Toyota RAV4.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Since every model has noteworthy infotainment and safety features, the best Corolla comes down to buyer preference. The hatchback has a smaller back seat and less cargo space, but it feels more nimble to drive and looks more sporty. While the XSE version has more bells and whistles, we'd save $3000 and choose the standard SE hatchback. The roomier Corolla sedan is best paired with the Hybrid LE, which delivers phenomenal fuel economy.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Comfortable ride, CVT operates smoothly, available manual transmission.
Dislikes: Engines can be noisy, less engaging than top rivals.

Except for the sportier SE and XSE models, the Corolla sedan uses a 139-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The zestier versions have a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pairs with a CVT or optional six-speed manual. While all hatchbacks have the larger engine, only the sedan offers a hybrid powertrain. Our tests of the 2019 Corolla SE hatchback and the 2020 Corolla XSE sedan proved even the strongest engine doesn't deliver adequate acceleration. The Toyota twins were prudent around town and steady on the highway. However, hard acceleration produced coarse engine sounds that diminished their refinement.

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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 the 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 easy to operate.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Along with two fuel-efficient four-cylinders, the 2020 Corolla sedan offers an immensely thrifty hybrid model. The EPA estimates the hybrid will earn 53 mpg city and 52 highway. Comparatively, the government estimates the nonhybrid sedan's 2.0-liter engine will earn up to 40 mpg highway while the 1.8-liter is rated up to 38 mpg highway. The hybrid we tested exceeded its highway rating by 3 mpg on our fuel-economy test route, earning 56 mpg over 200 miles at a steady 75 mph. The only other sedan we tested—a Corolla XSE—saw 41 mpg. The 2019 Corolla hatchback (automatic transmission) earns up to 32 mpg city and 42 highway, according to the EPA. The manual version receives significantly lower estimates at 28 mpg city and 37 highway. We tested the hatch with both transmissions on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route; the automatic earned 40 mpg, and the manual got 36 mpg.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Sedan's spacious back seat, desirable standard features, hybrid doesn't sacrifice cargo space.
Dislikes: Hatchback's diminutive back seat, no Android Auto, hatchback's limited cargo space.

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.

Every Corolla has a touchscreen infotainment system with a mobile hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa capability—Android Auto is surprisingly absent. The large 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.

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The Corolla hatchback has 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind its back seat, but we only fit two carry-on bags back there. 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 capacious rivals such as the Honda Civic. Thankfully, there's a convenient tray at the front of their center console and a useful bin below the armrest.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

Both the 2019 Corolla hatchback and 2020 Corolla sedan earned a five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't evaluated the 2020 Corolla sedan, it named the 2019 Corolla hatchback a Top Safety Pick. The entire Corolla lineup also offers a host of standard driver-assistance technology. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard adaptive cruise control
• Standard lane-keeping assist

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 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for 2 years or 25,000 miles