2020 Toyota Corolla

There's not much about the 2020 Toyota Corolla that impresses but as an everyday appliance, it's hard to pin-point faults in this little car. With the prices starting at $18,550, the Corolla is split across six trim levels and all are quite closely stacked to each other as the top-end variant maxes out at $21,985. That said, it nudges the territories of some other well-established rivals such as Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Hyundai Elantra. Let's move ahead and find out if the 2020 Corolla upholds its reputation yet again.

Corolla is the brand’s compact sedan which placed above the subcompact Yaris and the more premium Camry and Avalon. The car costs around $18,385 to start, which makes it among the more expensive compact cars. There are two variants of the same 1.8 –liter 4 cylinder engine under the hood. The 2020 sedan offered in six variants and well equipped, with the L/LE/XLE/LE Eco models opting for a more conventional look. The SE/XSE packages are sporty with their vertical front vents, LED fog lights and all-red tail light. The Corolla does include complimentary scheduled maintenance. Which boast:

• The limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for 2 years or 25,000 miles

Trims	L	LE	Eco	SE	XSE	XLE
MSRP	$18,550	$18,985	$19,385	$20,495	$22,730	$21.985
Features	15-inch steel wheels	16-inch steel wheels	15-inch steel wheels	17-inch alloy wheels	17-inch alloy wheels	16-inch alloy wheels
	LED headlights, LED daytime running lights	Variable intermittent wipers	Maximum fuel efficiency	LED daytime running lights	Eight-way power adjustable seats	Led taillights, bumper mounted LED daytime running lights
	A driver information display-k	Metallic cabin accents	Rear spoiler	Steering wheel with paddle shifters(for CVT models)	Paddle shifters	App-based GPS navigation system
	6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system	7-inch touch-infotainment system with navigation	7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation	7-inch touch infotainment with sat radio and navigation	7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation	7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation
	No moon/sunroof	In premium it is available.	Moon roof available	Moon roof option available	Available sun/moon roof	Moon roof available
	Automated emergency braking	Automatic climate control	Enhanced aerodynamics	Upgraded infotainment system	Keyless entry and ignition	Heated front seats

The Corolla sedan can be amusing in the right configuration, but most variants are sluggish and have a ride quality that trails more refined rivals.

 

“The 2020 Toyota Corolla has a sportier side, but it requires a manual transmission to bring it to life”- car connection

We have always known that slow and steady wins the race, even with low on grunt the powertrain is capable of handling everyday runabout. Corolla’s 1.4 liters inline -four produces 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque and the same engine in the LE ECO variant is tuned to dole out 140hp and a slightly lesser 126 lb-ft of torque, after listening to the engine sound you will think of turning on the radio.

The power is routed to front wheels through a CVT which has improved a lot over previous generations and an optional 6-speed manual transmission for a more engaging drive. The manual transmission is second quicker than the automatic and accounts for better driving dynamics.

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
MSRP	$18,497	$19,835	$18,985	$17,835
Engine	1.8 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four
Transmission	CVT	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	6-speed manual
Horsepower	132 hp @ 6000 rpm	158 hp @ 6500 rpm	155 hp @ 6000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	128 lb-ft@4400	138 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm	150 lb.-ft. @6000 rpm	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

The asthmatic four banger feels sluggish with the CVT transmission if compared to the rivals. Folks can opt for stick shift for the more involved driving experience. Enthusiast seeking sports oriented output can opt for Honda Civic or the Mazda 3.

Acceleration

The aging four-cylinder engine of Toyota, introduced in 2009 delivers sluggish acceleration. Being an entry-level sedan it is not meant for performance and makes an unpleasant whine on higher rpm’s. It takes a long 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph from standstill and a painstaking 17.2 seconds to reach the quarter mile mark.

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
0-60 MPH(sec)	9.4	8.2	8.0	8.3
Quarter mile(sec)	17.2	16.3	16.2	16.4
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	9.8	8.4	11.2	10.2

The competitors from the Far East pack better technology and a second quicker sprinting time from standstill to 60 mph. It stays at the bottom of the acceleration test when contrasted with its rivals. The inline four of Corolla is a snoozer while others in the rivalry dashes faster in highway traffic and around town driving.

Ride and Handling

Toyota’s choppy ride simply feels harsh and not sporty. Most trim levels use a base 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 132 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is available on two trims, while an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional or standard on all trims.

The Corolla is not the vehicle for people who do the aggressive driving. It offers what is known as an "avenue ride." It is smooth and serene over long distances. The car doesn't flounder and the current model has substantially more responsive handling than prior renditions of the vehicle, light steering enables the Corolla to feel agile around town.

The ride is comforting, however greater undulations enter the lodge with a clunk and more head-jarring than in opponents. On the interstate, the Corolla shows great stability in windy circumstances. Its suspension is basic, with MacPherson strut in front and a simple torsion-pillar setup at the back. Indeed, even in SE and XSE trims, the Corolla is intended more for an enjoyable than zippy handling.

Braking

In city traffic, the brakes are good and plus easy to modulate. The pedal travel is small and the bite is very responsive, it doesn’t have the squish that plagues some of the other Toyota models. The XSE test car does have four-wheel disc brakes, a feature shared only with the SE; all other Corolla sedans rely on rear drum brakes.

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
Brake Front (in.)	10.8	10.2	10.7	10.3
Brake Rear (in.)	9.1	9.8	9.5	9.7
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2840	2742	2899	2767
70-0 MPH (ft.)	183	180	179	182

In emergency braking tests, the Corolla needed 183 feet to stop, which is slightly longer than average for this segment. However, Corolla’s brakes do not inspire much confidence during panic stops. The 2957-pound compact needed 183 feet to stop from 70 mph, which is longer than the rivals, they also get mushy after repetitive braking.

The little inline- four of Corolla manages to return a decent fuel economy and stays lighter on the pocket. Buyers concerned with fuel economy should consider the LE Eco, its boosted horsepower (140) and aerodynamic exterior features improve fuel efficiency versus other versions. When outfitted with the available CVT, the Corolla hatchback gets 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. Corolla is the least efficient among all the rivals that too from the slowest engine.

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
MPG (city)	28	32	27	28
MPG (highway)	35	42	36	37
MPG (combined)	31	36	30	32

"Changes abound inside, too. The updated Corolla sedan incorporates a new touchscreen infotainment interface and an updated gauge cluster as well as a dashboard resembling that found in the im hatchback"- Caranddriver

Seating and Comfort

Inside, the Corolla is basic and straightforward, which is great in every case. Toyota’s upstanding dashboard isn't as off-putting, yet it makes for an uncommon driving position. A standard 6.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment can be moved up to a 7.0-inch unit on higher trims, while programmed atmosphere controls on most sit underneath. Toyota utilizes many surface materials and materials, which give the Corolla four-door a bustling look.

The most recent age Corolla may not set a benchmark but rather it has embraced an appealing structure highlighting quality plastics and soft-touch materials. Regardless of the vehicle's car like roofline, there's a lot of inside space, front, and back, and in addition loads of space for payload. The front seats are strong yet comfortable over long distance,

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.3/54.8/42.3	39.3/57.0/37.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	38.8/56.2/42.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.3/55.0/35.7

The low-quality interior of Toyota is particularly glaring compared with the upscale interiors of the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3. Hyundai and Mazda have cramped rear seats which are not the case with the other two.

Interior Features

The Base-model Corollas have basic cabin layout with apt comfort or convenience features. A revised dashboard incorporates-

• Circular outboard air vents
• Different-size air vents located over an asymmetrical infotainment system.
• Heated front seats and an eight-way-power-adjustable driver’s seat, are exclusive to the XLE and XSE.
• The Corolla has upgraded automatic climate controls.
• Smart key system
• Power door lock
• Keyless entry

Infotainment System

The infotainment screen is surrounded by touch-sensitive buttons, and there are knobs for volume and tuning; additional infotainment controls are on the steering wheel. In the XSE, the integrated navigation worked well, and turn-by-turn directions also appeared in the gauge cluster. The base 6.1-inch touchscreen has Bluetooth connectivity and voice command.

• A 7.0-inch system adds Sirius XM satellite and a navigation app (for use with smartphones).
• The XLE and the XSE are eligible for the Premium Audio package that includes integrated navigation and access to Toyota’s free App Suite.
• Entune infotainment system, which is very basic to operate. Nothing fancy gives an average response time

Cargo Capacity

The trunk has a fairly wide opening and a broad floor ahead of the rear wheel arches. A 13.0 cubic feet of volume is lower than the average but 60/40 folding rear seats significantly increases the cargo capacity. The trunk is practically shaped and it can carry 6 carry-on bags.

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
Cargo Capacity (lbs.)	13.0	15.2	12.4	14.4

The main drawback of extra legroom in the back seat is diminished space in the trunk. The cargo space of the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra are bigger than the Corolla’s undersized 13-cubic-foot space. That being said, you'll get more storing capabilities in some rivals with the hatchback variants, including the Mazda 3.

“Not only does it look way better than before, it promises to drive better, too”-car connection

The exterior styling of the Corolla is meant to be assertive, the latest version of Toyota has adopted a much more handsome exterior shape, moving away from its bland, utilitarian roots. Its front end is expanding, with restless lines encompassing a wide dark swath under its grille. From the side and back, the Corolla isn't as striking, however, that is likely something worth being thankful for.

Dimension and Weight

It's not actually a pretty vehicle, with that strangely gaping front end, however, its straight rooftop profile from front to raise gives great headroom back and front. The Corolla sedan is 15.3 feet long, with a curb weight that ranges between 2,840 and 2,885 pounds, depending on the trim. The LE regularly accompanies 16-inch steel wheels, yet my XLE bundle included aluminum rims.

Model	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
Curb weight (lbs.)	2840	2724	2899	2767
Length(in)	183.1	182.3	180.3	179.9
Width(in)	69.9	70.8	70.7	70.9
Height(in)	57.3	55.7	57.3	56.5
Ground clearance (in)	6.7	6.3	6.1	5.3
Wheelbase (in)	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3

All the other rivals have similar dimensions while the Corolla is longest which makes up for more legroom. The ground clearance and wheelbase is also identical for all the cars.

Exterior Features

A glossy-black mesh grille that’s meant to look sporty, the side and rear panels looks conventional as in the previous variants.

• Bi-LED headlamps
• Rear combination tail lights
• Chrome lower window trim
• Heated Mirrors
• Moonroof
• Intermittent Wipers
• Roof mounted antenna

You can conclude that toyota is safety superstar , it gets good ratings from various safety institutes.Corolla sedan comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense-P, which bundles together:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high beams
• Blind spot monitoring

Toyota Corolla Vs Honda Civic

The legendary Honda Civic promises compact-car excellence with its mix of practicality and a fun-to-drive persona. It’s available with two excellent four-cylinder engines and either a CVT transmission or a six-speed manual

The Civic outranks the Corolla because of its nimbler handling, and it's upscale inside. Then again, the Corolla is a better value product, as it is furnished with more standard highlights, and it normally wins higher anticipated unwavering quality evaluations.

Toyota Corolla Vs Mazda 3

Mazda 3 offers sharp looks, a premium interior, and superb driving elements. The 3 is available in both vehicle and hatchback body styles,with a rev happy inline 4 motors and a choice of either a smooth six-speed manual or a nearly as-fulfilling six-speed automatic transmission. Neither powertrain will humiliate a rival in a stoplight race, yet the 3 is a star while charging surprising byways.

As an everyday driver, it's viable, comfortable, and stylish. The driving dynamics of Mazda are far better than the Corolla and the engine is rev happy, unlike the Toyota.

Toyota Corolla Vs Hyundai Elantra

Quite promptly, Hyundai has lifted the Elantra from rental-staple to rising star in its class. Its alluring looks and ample choices make it an amicable decision. It's refined and eco-friendly four-cylinder motors match with either a manual or automatic transmission. An Eco variant flaunts more torque and a fast shifting seven-speed double clutch automatic. Aside from the base model, each Elantra has a phenomenal infotainment framework with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In spite of its appeal, the Hyundai is endangered by a smallish rearward sitting arrangement like the Corolla and dreary driving dynamics. All things being equal, it's sufficient to put its greatest opponents on notice.

 

The 2020 Toyota Corolla is a brilliant purchase. It offers great safety features, has a past filled with anticipated reliability with comfortable inside. Unfortunately, there isn't much energy in the Corolla, particularly with respect to the engine.

One of the world's best-sellers --it has continued to find a place in an American market that has rapidly shifted from sedans to SUVs and crossover SUV’s. It's easy to overlook this drawback if you prioritize practicality over thrills. Still, it's worth taking a look at some competitors that are both sensible and sensational.