2020 Toyota Corolla Road Test and Review

2020 Toyota Corolla XSE ・ Photo by Toyota

The 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan is newly redesigned, joining the Corolla hatchback that was all-new last year. Over 46 million Corollas have been sold globally since its introduction in 1966, with this marking the 12th generation of Toyota’s much-loved sedan.

In addition to updated styling, the Corolla comes with a choice of two gas powertrains that feature a more powerful version of the current engine and a new 2.0-liter offered on its sportiest trims. Also, those who put a premium on fuel efficiency have the option of the first-ever Corolla Hybrid for the U.S. market. There’s also an extensive suite of advanced safety features and a fully featured infotainment system to keep you connected. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan to see if it’s the right choice for you.

There's a wide range of trims and powertrains.

The Toyota Corolla sedan is available in a range of five affordable trims, starting with the base L at a price of $19,500 followed by the LE at $19,950, both with a 1.8-liter engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The SE adds not only features, but also a choice of a continuously variable automatic transmission at $$21,950 or a six-speed manual at $22,650. It comes standard with a larger 2.0-liter engine.

The XLE steps back down to the base engine but with additional features at $23,950, while the XSE sits at the top of the lineup with the most standard features and the more powerful 2.0-liter engine for $25,450. There’s also the new Corolla Hybrid, which is available only in the LE trim at $22,950. With such a broad range of trims, there’s sure to be a Corolla that fits your needs.

Photo by Toyota

Finally, the first-ever Corolla Hybrid for the U.S. market.

Toyota has a reputation for building hybrids, and this year it adds the Corolla to its extensive hybrid lineup in the United States. It features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with two motors for 121 combined system horsepower paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Its advanced battery provides better performance in a smaller package, letting it be housed under the rear seat rather than in the trunk where it would occupy valuable cargo room.

Although hybrids focus on efficiency rather than performance, the Corolla Hybrid is surprisingly responsive. It offers strong acceleration without too much noise from the engine, and passengers won't even notice its smooth switch from gas to electric power. There are also Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes let you decide just how much you want to focus on getting maximum fuel efficiency versus stronger performance.

Photo by Toyota

Even the carryover engine has more power.

There are two gas powertrains for the Corolla sedan. The first features a carryover engine, but it’s not entirely the same. The L, LE, and XLE trims get the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder found in the current generation of the Corolla with an increase to 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque. The XSE and SE have a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.

While the base engine is responsive, the 2.0-liter provides a more engaging driving experience. It accelerates quickly whether you’re driving in the city or trying to merge into heavy highway traffic, and it doesn’t struggle to get up to speed. It’s also the quieter of the two, with less noise intruding into the cabin. The hybrid is likewise a responsive powertrain that offers a smooth, quiet ride without undue noise from the continuously variable automatic transmission, plus brisk acceleration.

Photo by Toyota

The continously variable automatic transmission is impressively quiet.

While manual transmissions are disappearing, continuously variable automatic transmissions or CVTs are gaining an ever-stronger foothold in today’s cars. They offer better fuel economy, but they aren’t always as pleasant to drive, sometimes causing an annoying whine that intrudes into the passenger cabin. The Corolla offers the option for a six-speed manual on the SE trim, but a CVT is standard for the rest of the lineup.

This CVT is quieter than most and won’t have you wondering if everything is OK under the hood. It makes the Corolla conducive to conversation since no one needs to raise their voice to be heard over the sound coming from the engine. It does its job without being noticed, which is exactly what you want in a sedan, and makes the Corolla a pleasure to drive.

Photo by Toyota

The interior is comfortable, but it's not exactly spacious.

The interior of the Corolla has room for five passengers with supportive front seats that don’t get stiff even after a longer drive. It’s easy to find a good seating position for the driver whether short or tall, and there’s ample legroom up front. Despite being an inexpensive sedan, the materials in the Corolla look and feel good, so it doesn’t come off like an economy car that skimped on quality.

While there’s room for three passengers in the rear seats, keep in mind this isn’t a large sedan. Ideally there won’t be more than two riding along in back, with three only for shorter drives. Headroom in the back is on the short side, so taller passengers will feel cramped. And with the front seats pushed back, rear legroom is at a premium.

Photo by Toyota

There's a long list of standard and available safety features.

Although not yet tested by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan includes a strong suite of standard and available safety features to keep you and your loved ones safe. It starts with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which is standard across the lineup.

This includes a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, a lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist (on CVT models only), and automatic high beams. It’s a solid offering that makes even base Corollas well-equipped from a safety perspective. There are also several additional safety features, including blind-spot monitoring and road sign assist, which are standard or available on select trim levels.

Photo by Toyota

The infotainment system is fully featured at every trim.

Entune 3.0 Audio is standard on the 2020 Corolla, and even on the base trim comes with plenty of features. Often, base models have smaller screens that are harder to use, but an 8-inch touchscreen is standard across the Corolla lineup. The base system also includes a USB port, six speakers, AM/FM/MP3, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi Connectivity, Bluetooth, and Entune 3.0 App Suite Connect. As you move through the trim grades, an extra USB port, HD radio, SiriusXM, and additional connected services are included.

At the top of the lineup is Entune 3.0 Audio Premium, which adds a nine-speaker JBL audio system with 800 watts, Clari-Fi technology to improve sound quality, and upgraded voice recognition and navigation. What you will notice missing on the list for any version of the system is Android Auto. Toyota only recently added Apple CarPlay, but Android users are still out of luck.

Photo by Toyota

It gets good fuel economy, especially in the hybrid.

In addition to being focused on passenger comfort, sedans typically offer better fuel economy than crossovers and SUVs. If you’re looking for a car with an affordable price and good long-term affordability thanks to fuel efficiency, then the Corolla sedan is an excellent choice. Fuel economy varies slightly between the powertrains, with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder equipped with the six-speed manual sitting at the bottom. It gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg combined.

Sitting at the top of your gas-only powertrain choices is the same engine equipped with the CVT. It posts 31 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 34 mpg combined. The best fuel economy in the lineup comes, of course, from the hybrid. It gets an EPA-estimated 53 mpg in the city, 52 mpg on the highway, and 52 mpg combined.

Photo by Toyota

Final Thoughts

The 2020 Toyota Corolla is an appealing choice for the dwindling ranks of sedan shoppers. It offers a comfortable interior with a wide range of trims so you can get one that fits your budget with an interior that fits your needs. Its suite of standard safety features keeps you from having to add to the bottom line with expensive packages, and its fully featured infotainment system will keep you connected — the one drawback being the absence of Android Auto.

Those who want a hybrid finally can get one this year along with its impressive fuel economy, but even the gas powertrains are plenty fuel-efficient. The hybrid does come at a premium, so consider your budget carefully before you spend the extra cash. The 2020 Corolla sedan offers buyers the comfort and features they want at a price they can afford.

Photo by Toyota