If stellar fuel economy, strong brand reliability, and standard advanced safety features are high on your checklist, the Corolla Hybrid could be the choice for you. It returned an impressive 48 mpg in our testing overall.
Both hybrid and non-hybrid versions tackle corners more skillfully than the Corolla did before, thanks to well-weighted steering and limited body lean. Plus, the sharper driving character doesn't come at the expense of ride quality; the Corolla soaks up bumps with the best in the class.
But beyond competent handling, these Corollas do little to raise a driver's pulse. The Corolla Hybrid is powered by a meager 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors that make just 121 horsepower in total. Both the hybrid and gas-only versions we tested were dismally slow, and their engines were loud and raspy. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) can cause the engine to rev annoyingly high during even mild bursts of acceleration, which amplifies the engine noise.
This Corolla feels less roomy than the previous model, which was one of the most spacious in the class. The rear seat in particular has significantly less headroom, while the car's curvier body and lower stance has made it harder to get in and out of.
Cabin ambience is basic and boring. Most controls are easy to use, although the labels for the small buttons that flank the center screen wash out in direct sunlight. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility came standard.
The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system of advanced safety and driver assist features is standard. It includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, and a lane centering feature.