Where is a Toyota Corolla made?

The Toyota Corolla is currently assembled in Mississippi by Toyota North America.

Is the Toyota Corolla a good car?

The Toyota Corolla is one of the top-rated cars on the market today and even received the Green Car Journal’s 2020 Green Car of the Year for the hybrid trim. All new Corollas come standard with a suite of driver safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology, providing extra peace of mind on the road.

How long does a Toyota Corolla last?

The Toyota Corolla comes standard with a 3-year/ 36,000-mile warranty with an additional powertrain warranty for 5-years/ 60,000-miles from purchase. That said, the Toyota Corolla is regarded as a very reliable vehicle scoring amongst the best in tests by J.D. Power and others.

How much does a Toyota Corolla cost?

The Toyota Corolla starts at just over $20,000, including premium features like a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and LED headlights. The top-of-the-line Toyota Corolla XSE Apex comes loaded with sporty features like a lowered suspension, 18-inch black forged wheels, and black/bronze accents starting at just over $28,000.

2021 Toyota Corolla Review | Pricing, Trims & Photos

Trims

2021 Toyota Corolla trim comparison

Starting MSRP

$21,050

$21,500

$23,500*

$24,200

$24,625

$25,450

$26,195*

$26,950

$29,335

MPG

Engine

NHTSA Overall Safety Rating

Drive Type

Seating Capacity

Automatic Emergency Braking

Basic Warranty

Horsepower

Blind Spot System

Surround View Camera

Adaptive Cruise Control

Remote Engine Start

Parking Sensors

30 city/38 hwy

31 city/40 hwy*

31 city/40 hwy

53 city/52 hwy

29 city/37 hwy

31 city/40 hwy*

31 city/38 hwy

1.8L I4

2.0L I4

Hybrid 1.8L I4

1.8L I4

2.0L I4

5 star

FWD

5 passenger

3 yr / 36k mi

139 hp

169 hp

121 hp

139 hp

169 hp

Engine Type

Fuel Type

Horsepower

Horsepower RPM

Torque

Torque RPM

Engine Displacement

Engine Configuration

Cylinders

Variable Valvetrain

Valvetrain

Number of Valves

Compression Ratio

Electric Motor Output

EPA City Fuel Economy

EPA Highway Fuel Economy

EPA Combined Fuel Economy

Start/Stop System

Regenerative Braking

Gas

Hybrid

Gas

Regular Unleaded

139 hp

169 hp

121 hp

139 hp

169 hp

6100 rpm

6600 rpm

5200 rpm

6100 rpm

6600 rpm

126 lb-ft

151 lb-ft

105 lb-ft

126 lb-ft

151 lb-ft

3900 rpm

4400 rpm

3600 rpm

3900 rpm

4400 rpm

1.8 L

2.0 L

1.8 L

2.0 L

Inline

4 cylinder

Double Overhead

16 valve

10.69

13.0

10.69

13.0

71.0 kW

30 MPG

31 MPG*

31 MPG

53 MPG

29 MPG

31 MPG*

31 MPG

38 MPG

40 MPG*

40 MPG

52 MPG

37 MPG

40 MPG*

38 MPG

33 MPG

34 MPG*

34 MPG

52 MPG

32 MPG

34 MPG*

34 MPG

2021 Toyota Corolla Review

Reviewed by Jack R. Nerad

Overview

Exceedingly popular on several continents, the Toyota Corolla economy car has a strong reputation for reliability. However, it also has a reputation for being boring. The latest Corolla models come with enough features and technology to make them more than an appliance on wheels. The 2021 Corolla is available as a four-door sedan or four-door hatchback. The sedan offers a couple of conventional gas engine choices plus a hybrid version. Except for the hybrid-only Toyota Prius, the Corolla is the smallest car in the Toyota lineup. It fits below the midsize Toyota Camry and is on par with the Nissan Sentra and Honda Civic. The newly redesigned 2021 Hyundai Elantra is slightly larger.

Positives

Reputation for reliability. Impressive mileage from the hybrid version. Low cost to own.

Considerations

Smaller passenger cabin than some. Less trunk space than competitors.

Verdict

The 2021 Toyota Corolla sets the standard for reliable transportation, a reputation that has made it one of the best-selling models of all time. Modern technology, a standard suite of advanced safety features, and the availability of a fuel-sipping hybrid model make the latest version even more appealing.

What's New for 2021

The biggest news for the 2021 Corolla is the addition of the sporty APEX editions. With a more powerful gasoline engine, unique suspension tuning, and an appearance package, the APEX breathes new life into the Corolla lineup. This year all Corollas also receive Android Auto functionality, rear-seat side airbags, and automatic engine shut-off, which will turn the engine off if it's inadvertently left running. A new Convenience package has been added to the options list for LE models. It bundles a blind-spot monitor, a smart key system, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Trims and Pricing

The 2021 Corolla sedan is available in numerous trim levels: L, LE, XLE, SE with a manual transmission or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), XSE, SE Nightshade, APEX SE (manual or CVT), and APEX XSE. The Corolla Hatchback lineup is a bit more concise: SE (manual or CVT), XSE (manual or CVT), and Nightshade. The Corolla Hybrid is offered in LE trim only. The LE is not only the popular trim from the pack, but it’s also our recommendation for the value.

L

The L sedan gets the basics, such as cloth seats, a single USB port, and a 7-inch touchscreen technology interface with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa functionality with a starting price of $21,020 (including a $995 destination fee).

LE

The LE ($21,470) includes heated and power-operated exterior mirrors, automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, remote keyless entry, and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen and an extra USB port. The LE is our pick for best buy among the Corollas, as it provides most economy-car buyers with what they want and need.

SE

Priced at $23,470, the SE (either manual transmission or the CVT) has more performance-oriented styling inside and out to highlight its upgraded four-cylinder engine. SE models get a more powerful engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, sportier front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and upgraded headlights.

Nightshade

The SE Nightshade trim ($24,170) further customizes the SE with a full complement of black exterior accents, including wheels, bumpers, grille, and door handles.

XLE

The well-equipped XLE has leatherette and cloth-trimmed heated seats, normal and sport driving modes, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a premium instrument cluster featuring satellite radio. It is still well-priced at $25,420.

XSE

The XSE trim, which starts at $26,920, provides expanded levels of comfort and convenience plus a higher-horsepower 2.0-liter engine.

APEX

Available in either SE ($26,165) or XSE trim ($29,305), the Corolla APEX is a sport-tuned version of the sedan that features a lower and stiffer suspension, revised steering, 18-inch wheels, a black body kit, and a cat-back exhaust with a stainless-steel tip.

The Corolla Hatchbacks are a tad sportier with the higher-horsepower engine standard. The lowest-priced hatchback, an SE with manual transmission, costs $21,710. The top-of-the-line hatchback, an XSE with CVT, starts at $25,760. The 2021 Corolla Hybrid ($24,595) only comes as a sedan in LE trim and is the most fuel-efficient Corolla.

None of the competitors offer the variations that Toyota does with the Corolla. The Honda Civic is available in both sedan and hatchback configurations but lacks the number of trim levels or a hybrid model. The Hyundai Elantra is all-new for 2021. It has gasoline-powered and hybrid-powered iterations across four trim levels, including the sporty N Line. With a 201-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the N Line ($26,205) promises to outdo the Corolla APEX in performance.

Engine and Performance

The Corolla's standard engine is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that delivers 139 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT. A 2.0-liter engine with 169 hp is fitted in SE and XSE sedans across the Corolla Hatchback lineup. A six-speed manual mated to this engine is available in several trims, both sedans and hatchbacks. In normal cruising, the 1.8-liter engine is smooth and offers acceptable acceleration, but those seeking a sportier feel should opt for the 2.0-liter engine as it's a noticeable upgrade. The Corolla Hybrid uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor that makes it feel quicker around town than the 1.8-liter-equipped Corolla. Even with the optional engine, the Corolla isn't quick by performance-car standards. Its 0-60-mph time is right around 8 seconds, according to independent testers. But acceleration isn't the point of the Corolla. Economical, dependable transportation is, and it delivers that in spades.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Toyota Corolla's fuel economy is impressive across the lineup. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Corolla LE with the 1.8-liter base engine delivers an estimated 30 mpg during city driving and 38 mpg out on the highway. The Corolla APEX SE CVT sedan with the 2.0-liter engine is also rated at 30 city/38 highway mpg. Mixed driving is expected to return an average of 32 mpg. The more expensive Toyota Corolla Hybrid earns 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the Honda Civic EX-L equipped with the 174-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway.

Interior

The latest Corolla is sharp-looking with high-quality materials throughout and a pleasing combination of physical buttons and an easily accessed touchscreen display. Its dimensions are very similar to the Nissan Sentra and Honda Civic, but it's considerably smaller than the Hyundai Elantra. Although rear-seat legroom lags behind the competition, it has comfortable seats, good outward visibility, and plenty of interior storage nooks. Both the Civic and Elantra offer far more space to stretch out. The Corolla sedan also has less trunk space than the Elantra or Civic sedans. If you need more usable room, the Corolla Hatchback is the way to go, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The competition eclipsed previous Toyota infotainment systems, but the 2021 Corolla's setup has closed that gap. The base infotainment system includes a 7-inch touchscreen, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The LE trim and above get an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. A premium JBL audio system with nine speakers and a JBL audio system with integrated navigation are available on several trims. Onboard Wi-Fi is offered as well. The Corolla's infotainment systems might not be quite as easy to use as Hyundai's class-leading setups, but they are far less frustrating than they used to be.

Safety

Both the hatchback and sedan versions of the 2021 Toyota Corolla received excellent safety marks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded both body styles five-star safety ratings, the organization's highest honor. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) honored both models as Top Safety Picks.

The Corolla comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, one of the industry's most extended lists of driver aids and safety systems. It includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist and road edge detection, full-speed range adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, and lane-tracing assist.

Toyota Corolla vs. the Competition

The Toyota Corolla doesn't hit it out of the park in any area, but its combination of excellent quality, dependability, and value makes it a hot seller every year. All Corolla models — sedan, hatchback, and hybrid — are comfortable to drive, easy to park, and solidly built. The Corolla Hybrid, with its excellent fuel economy, is an especially great option for long commutes. The recently redesigned Hyundai Elantra is currently the Corolla's most direct competitor, and an all-new 2022 Honda Civic arrives later this year.

Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla vs. Hyundai Elantra

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Owner Reviews

2021 Toyota Corolla Owner Ratings & Reviews

12th Generation Toyota Corolla

2020 - Present

Overall Rating

4.7

Based on

Performance

4.7

Comfort

4.4

Fuel Efficiency

4.7

Safety Technology

4.6

Features

4.5

81%

14%

3%

1%

Search

All reviews

Search

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

5.0

pros

Enjoy easy use, not high tech. Its a car and should be used as a mode of transportation not an ego trip.

cons

Just think it is overkill with all the tech equipment one can buy. Too much is not a good idea. Too many distracted drivers on our roads.

Submitted by Pat R on --- --- ----|2021 Toyota Corolla LE CVT|Purchased on --- --- ----

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0

Features

4.0

pros

Nice modern lines on exterior. Very comfortable interior. Very quiet ride. Awesome gas mileage on my hybrid. Great stereo with full surround sound music.

cons

At this point nothing

Submitted by DANIEL T on --- --- ----|2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE CVT|Purchased on --- --- ----

5.0

Performance

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Fuel Efficiency

5.0

Safety Technology

5.0