2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Overview

Is the 2020 Toyota Corolla a Good Used Car?

Yes, the 2020 Corolla is a good used car. It’s not the most exciting compact car , with uninspiring engines and a hit-or-miss transmission, but it comes in two body styles and gets good gas mileage. It also comes with lots of safety features and a user-friendly infotainment system.

Compare the Corolla, Mazda3, and Civic »

Why You Can Trust Us

To give you a complete overview of the 2020 Corolla – and make your car-shopping experience easier – we analyzed 21 Toyota Corolla reviews alongside performance specs, reliability and safety scores, and more.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our crew has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we do not accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an external company manages the ads on our site.

Pricing

How Much is a 2020 Toyota Corolla?

Based on listings for the 2020 Toyota Corolla, the average list price is $20,236. Prices range from $20,236 to $24,119 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

How Much Does the 2020 Toyota Corolla Cost to Own?

The 2020 Corolla’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $27,150, or $5,430 per year. These ownership costs are about average for the class.

2019 vs. 2020 Toyota Corolla: What's the Difference?

Toyota fully redesigned the Corolla sedan for 2020. In addition to updated interior and exterior styling, the Corolla gained standard Apple CarPlay and more advanced safety features like lane tracing assist and traffic sign recognition. Also, the four-cylinder base engine gained 7 horsepower, and a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter engine became optional.

The Toyota Corolla hatchback, which was introduced for the 2019 model year, saw no major changes for 2020.

Compare the 2019 and 2020 Corolla »

Here are the key changes for the Toyota Corolla over the last few years:

• 2017: refreshed with updated interior and exterior styling, a standard continuously variable automatic transmission, and a wealth of newly standard safety features
• 2018: no major changes
• 2019: Corolla hatchback body style debuted, replacing the Corolla iM
• 2020: sedan fully redesigned with standard Apple CarPlay, a stronger optional engine, and a horsepower bump for the base engine

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2017 Corolla , 2018 Corolla , and 2019 Corolla reviews to help make your decision. You can learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles on our Best Used Car Deals page. Also, check out our review of the new Toyota Corolla , and take a look at our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to see how much you can save on a new vehicle.

How Reliable Is the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

The 2020 Toyota Corolla has a predicted reliability score of 80 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Read more about Corolla reliability »

2020 Toyota Corolla Recalls

There are no major recalls for the 2020 Toyota Corolla at this time.

See more information on Toyota Corolla safety recalls »

Which Used Toyota Corolla Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2020 Toyota Corolla comes in five trims: L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. The Corolla sedan comes in all five trim levels with either a 1.8- or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The Corolla hatchback comes in SE and XSE trims, and only with the 2.0-liter engine. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard, but you can get the larger engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

Your best bet is an SE or XSE model, in either body style. These trims come with the 2.0-liter engine, which is much better for everyday driving. These trims also have features you won't find in lower trims, like automatic climate control, more supportive front sport seats, and an upgraded infotainment system with a larger touch screen.

• Toyota Corolla L: The Corolla L sedan comes standard with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT. Standard features include cloth upholstery, Bluetooth, a USB port, a six-speaker stereo, a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.
• Toyota Corolla LE: The Corolla LE adds heated outside mirrors, automatic climate control, premium cloth seats, and keyless entry. The LE also comes with the upgraded Entune infotainment system, with an 8-inch touch screen and an extra USB port.
• Toyota Corolla SE: The Corolla SE features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT. This model adds front sport seats, alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sport driving mode, and upgraded exterior design elements. The Corolla SE with the available manual transmission comes standard with the moonroof, proximity keyless entry, and push-button start.
• Toyota Corolla XLE: The Corolla XLE comes with the 1.8-liter engine. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front sport seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a moonroof, a 7-inch digital driver information display, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, HD Radio, and satellite radio.
• Toyota Corolla XSE: The Corolla XSE has mostly the same standard and available features as the XLE, but it comes with the 2.0-liter engine.

See 2020 Toyota Corolla trims and specs »

What Does Toyota's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Toyota offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles six years old or less and with fewer than 85,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. Toyota provides a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty on all its certified pre-owned vehicles, and it extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years from the initial sale date or 100,000 miles. For 2020 and newer models, hybrid components are covered for eight years from the initial sale date or 100,000 miles. Each CPO Toyota must pass a 160-point inspection. Additional benefits like a CarFax vehicle history report, towing, and roadside assistance may be available. 

Toyota’s CPO program is about average for an affordable carmaker, according to our research. Hyundai and Kia both have better programs.

See the best CPO programs »

Extended Warranties for Toyota Cars, Trucks, and SUVs

Not every used Toyota will qualify for a certified pre-owned warranty. However, there are still options available if you want additional coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. 

Read more about extended car warranties »

2020 Toyota Corolla Safety

Score: 9.8/10

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2020 Toyota Corolla the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests. Corolla XLE and XSE models with the Advanced Lighting package received the second-highest rating of Acceptable for how well the headlights illuminate the road ahead were awarded a Top Safety Pick designation. All other models received the second-lowest rating of Marginal for forward visibility.

The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Corolla earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard front crash prevention systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Corolla an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.

Standard driver assistance features:

• Rearview camera
• Pedestrian detection
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Lane tracing assist
• Traffic sign recognition

Available driver assistance features:

• Blind spot monitoring

2020 Toyota Corolla Versus the Competition

2020 Toyota Corolla vs. 2020 Mazda3

The Mazda3 delivers better performance than the Corolla thanks to its energetic engine and engaging, sporty handling. The Mazda3's upscale interior is impressive as well. Both cars are available as sedans or hatchbacks, and neither has a clear edge in passenger room. The Corolla comes standard with many more driver assistance features.

Compare the Corolla and Mazda3 »

2020 Toyota Corolla vs. 2020 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a well-rounded compact car that sits near the top of the class. Both cars come in sedan and hatchback body styles, but the Civic also comes as a coupe. The Honda has stronger engines and is more fun to drive than the Toyota, and it also has a more upscale cabin and more rear-seat space. The Corolla, however, comes standard with a touch-screen infotainment system in every trim level, whereas the base trim of the Civic lacks a touch screen.

Compare the Corolla and Civic »

Compare the Corolla, Mazda3, and Civic »

2020 Corolla Performance

How Does the 2020 Toyota Corolla Drive?

The Corolla’s base engine feels weak in most driving situations, and the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) doesn’t deliver power consistently. The larger four-cylinder engine is a better choice, as it feels stronger in just about all driving situations. That’s not to say it makes the Corolla all that quick or fast, however. This engine comes with an enhanced CVT that better pairs with the engine, or you can get a six-speed manual with it.

• Base engine: 139-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder
• Available engine: 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
• Transmission: standard continuously variable automatic (CVT); available six-speed manual

2020 Toyota Corolla Gas Mileage

The Corolla gets better gas mileage than many other compact cars . There are slight ratings differences depending on which body style and transmission you select, but all of the numbers are good.

• 1.8-liter: 30/38 mpg city/highway
• 2.0-liter CVT, sedan: 31/40 mpg
• 2.0-liter manual, sedan: 29/36 mpg
• 2.0-liter CVT, hatchback: 32/41 mpg
• 2.0-liter manual, hatchback: 28/37 mpg

Read more about Corolla performance »

2020 Corolla Interior

2020 Corolla Interior Quality

This Toyota has a minimalist look and feel inside, and while it’s fairly sleek, it also looks bland. Hard plastics mix in with some quality materials, resulting in an average build quality compared to the Corolla’s classmates.

How Many People Does the 2020 Corolla Seat?

The 2020 Corolla seats five people in two rows. The front row provides ample head- and legroom for most adults, though taller folks will wish for a bit more space. The optional front sport seats are more supportive and comfortable than the standard seats. The rear seats in the sedan provide a decent amount of room, but the hatchback’s back seat isn’t quite as spacious.

Standard seating features:

• Cloth upholstery

Available seating features:

• Premium cloth seats
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Front sport seats
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver's seat

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2020 Toyota Corolla?

The 2020 Corolla has two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the highest rating of Good+, which indicates that it's among the easiest and most versatile to use.

2020 Toyota Corolla Features

The touch screen’s graphics look a little outmoded, but otherwise, this is a user-friendly infotainment system. The controls are conveniently located, the touch screen responds quickly to inputs, and there are physical controls for some functions.

• Standard infotainment features: Bluetooth, a USB port, a six-speaker stereo, a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot
• Available infotainment features : an 8-inch touch screen, an additional USB port, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, wireless device charging, and a nine-speaker JBL premium stereo
• Other available features: a moonroof, automatic climate control, a 7-inch digital driver information display, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, and remote keyless entry

See 2020 Toyota Corolla specs »

Read more about Corolla interior »

2020 Toyota Corolla Dimensions

Toyota Corolla Cargo Space

The 2020 Corolla sedan has about 13 cubic feet of trunk space, which is a bit below average for a compact car . Hatchback models provide 17.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 23.3 cubic feet with the second row folded down. Those numbers are unimpressive for a small hatchback.

Toyota Corolla Length and Weight

• Length: 15 feet, 2 inches
• Curb weight: 2,910 to 3,150 pounds

Where Was the 2020 Toyota Corolla Built?

Toyota built the 2020 Corolla in Mississippi and Canada.