2023 Toyota Corolla

The 2023 Toyota Corolla will be made available in 4 standard trims excluding the Nightshade and Apex editions, special trims that the automaker is yet to mention. However, we can confirm that the base L trim has been chopped off the lineup and the range now starts with the LE trim. All trims would share a similar 2.0L naturally aspirated engine driving the front wheels through a CVT transmission with the Sports SE and XSE trims benefiting from steering-mounted paddle shifters. These trims also get sportier amenities like 18-inch machine-cut wheels, black contrasting exterior elements, a big diffuser-like element, chrome exhaust tips, slightly stiffened suspension, and sports bucket seats with accents.

As for equipment, the base LE trim covers all basic amenities like a now standard 8-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 4.2-inch driver information center, automatic climate control, LED exterior lighting, power exterior mirrors, keyless entry, and the entire suite of Toyota Safety technology 3.0 except blind spot monitoring. Opting for a higher trim gets you premium features like heated seats with power adjustment, Softex leather-trimmed seats, a 9-speaker premium audio system with subwoofer, a 7.0-inch driver information screen, and a wireless charging system to mention a few. The base prices have now risen over 2 grand and the top trim will retail for around $27,325.

Toyota also does offer a few additional packages which would come as a provision to upgrade the standard equipment list of each trim. Some of the available packages include the LE Convenience package, LE premium package, SE premium package, SE connectivity package, SE connectivity package with JBL audio, XLE/XSE connectivity package, and XLE/XLE advanced lighting package.

We Recommend

Toyota has done a decent job with the segregation of features and pricing on the 2023 Toyota Corolla such that even going for the top trim is no big jump from its preceding model. Just to be slightly more on the budget-friendly end, we would prefer the XLE trim. For not that big of a price hike from the SE grade, the XLE gets you equipment like the 7-inch driver information center, Softex seating surfaces, driver seat heating, power lumbar, smart key system, and even a power sliding moonroof. You also get access to a bunch of equipment as optional add-ons and packages which are not available in the lower trims.

Release Date

Toyota has already showcased the vehicle a few days back and has given a brief on what to expect from each model. We are expecting the website to get updated with the 2023 model year soon and acceptance of orders will start close by.

Fuel economy is one of the prime requirements of this segment and we are happy to report that the 2023 Toyota Corolla wouldn’t disappoint point anyone on this front. Managing to extract nearly 40 mpg on the highway and 34 mpg combined, the 2023 Corolla is definitely a frugal compact sedan as it should be. Since the 2.0L unit and the CVT has been thoroughly optimized through these years, the real-world mileages do not see a drastic fall from the claimed numbers and you should see numbers over 33 consistently. A big 13.2-gallon fuel tank also helps the Corolla to squeeze out a ridiculous real-world highway range of over 500 miles, which is the best-in-class as far as we know of it.

Even though the2023 Toyota Corolla does offer the best compromise of fuel economy and tank rage, the Hyundai Elantra does offer the best individual economy numbers. Its small 12.4-gallon tank is what lets it down and similar is the case with the Honda Civic as well. The Mazda 3, despite being one of the least powerful engines and getting equipped with a slick 6-speed automatic, manages the least fuel economy numbers, and that too by a fair margin.

The insides of the 2023 Toyota Corolla boast more or less the same layout that we have been seeing in this car since the introduction of the 12th generation. Toyota does highlight the fact that the new model gets high-gloss and silver elements inside the cabin with contrast stitching on seats, but as far as we remember, the outgoing iteration also sported a similar setup. That said, higher trims (XLE, XSE) are set to get a 7-inch driver information screen for 2023 and this should elevate the overall modernity of the cabin, something which the previous iteration lacked in. Also, we have to admit the fact that the entire layout feels minimal, super ergonomic, and probably has the best front seat comfort on offer for its class. Though the dimensions may not exactly point at the best room, we have never felt cramped in the Corolla (at least in the front row), as the big glass house does bring in a sense of airiness and also provides excellent outward visibility.

For 2023, you do get a few additional color combinations for Toyota SofTex leatherette seats. These include a sporty Red/black combo, Moonstone grey, and Macadamia cream which can be equipped with selected trims. The SE and XSE grades now get sport front buckets seats with enhanced side bolstering and shoulder support, going in line with the sporty ethos of the new iteration. Even though the front seats do get their job done rather well, chances are that you would find the second lacking in legroom if you are anything over 5.8” or above. A similar trend goes with the trunk as well. Measuring in at 13.1 cu-ft., the cargo area of the 2023 Toyota Corolla sedan is far from the best we have seen in this class and would classify as just mediocre.

As already mentioned, cabin volume has not been a stronghold of the latest generation Corolla and since the new iteration does not receive any noticeable changes in size or dimension, that is still something that you have to deal with. The Honda Civic, with its latest generation update, comes out with the best cabin space on offer and also has the biggest trunk here, measuring close to 15 cu-ft. The Hyundai Elantra follows close, offering the best headroom and second-row legroom for the class. The Mazda 3 on the other hand, gets almost identical trunk space as the 2023 Toyota Corolla sedan, measuring just over 13 cu-ft., but manages to excavate better cabin space in every dimension except for maybe the front-row headroom.

Some standout interior features of the 2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan include:

• 4.2-inch semi-digital instrument cluster (7-inch available)
• Cloth seating surfaces (SofTex-trimmed available)
• Heated and power-operated front seats (trim dependant)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio/cruise (trim dependant)
• Standard automatic climate control (dual-zone available)
• 60/40 slip rear seats
• One-touch moonroof (available)
• Electronic parking brake

How intuitive is the 2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan’s infotainment system?

Unlike the previous model year, all trims of the 2023 Toyota Corolla will now be equipped with an 8-inch infotainment system as standard. Co-developed with the Texas-based Connected Technologies team, the unit now runs on the latest Toyota Software, and based on what we have seen from the new Tundra and Sequoia, the interface has been thoroughly revised, feels intuitive, snappier, and gets a whole host of new connected-car features. The updated system is now capable of over-the-air updates and also offers standard wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. Also selected trims can now avail of connected services that include intelligent assistant (“Hey Toyota”), could-based navigation, and destination assist. This year the SE, XLE, and XSE trim will be offered with an optional 800-watt JBL premium audio system while the rest of the line-up gets the standard 6-speaker unit.

Standout infotainment features available with the 2023 Toyota Corolla:

• 8-inch infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity
• 6-Speaker standard audio system (9-speaker JBL premium unit available)
• Bluetooth/ SiriusXM/ 4G LTE/ WiFi Hot Spot
• Intelligent voice assist/
• Cloud-based navigation
• Wireless phone charger

We never thought that we would be saying this, but the 2023 Toyota Corolla sedan has no job being this hot. We already were stunned by how Toyota came out with the 12th generation Corolla a few years back, but this one takes the overall appeal to a whole new level. Though the overall silhouette might look similar to untrained eyes, Toyota has significantly updated the exterior of the new Corolla, with the most noticeable changes going to the SE, and XSE trims. All trims get updated bumpers and exterior lighting while the Black Sand Pearl exterior shade now gets replaced by two new alternate shades, namely Underground and the Midnight Black Metallic.

Apart from the revised and sharper bodywork, the aforementioned trims (SE and XSE) get a gloss black rear diffuser and super cool-looking 18-inch Gloss graphite wheels. All trims are set to receive LED headlights and LED daytime running lights while the SE, XLE, and XSE trims get a new sleeker and completely redesigned headlamp unit. The front grill has also been slightly tweaked and based on the trim opted, its sides do get garnished by some nice high gloss black elements which do help in raising the overall sportiness of the sedan. However, we are not so sold on the rear end of this sedan with the halogen-like basic brake light units sticking out like a sore thumb and the only perceivable update being a pronounced fake diffuser, that too only on selected trims. Power/heated mirrors, keyless entry, and a power moonroof are other notable exterior features.

Though the 2023 Toyota Corolla is one of the heaviest sedans here, it is in no way the biggest car here. Though it does offers the maximum roof height, it does not actually translate into better cabin headroom. The Hyundai Elantra is the biggest car here and surprisingly the lightest as well. The Honda Civic does come closed in size to the Elantra but the latter offers the best wheels base of 107.7-inches. The Mazda 3 is closer to the Corolla in overall exterior dimensions but gets 107.3-inches of wheels base which is better than the Elantra, the biggest car here.

Some of the standout exterior features on the 2023 Toyota Corolla include;

• Full LED automatic headlamps
• Power outside rearview mirrors (heated units available)
• 17/18 –inch alloy wheels (trim dependant)
• One-touch moon roof with tilt function (available)
• Remote trunk release.
• Gloss black exterior garnishing and rear diffuser (trim dependant)

Safety has been a prime aspect for many compact car makers today and Toyota might just set the benchmark for advanced driver aid safety systems with the new Toyota Corolla. The sedan now gets equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense Technology 3.0 which brings in features like a Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, Dynamic radar-based cruise control, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist as standard. Moreover, the 2022 Toyota Corolla has earned a 5-Star rating from the NHTSA and a “Top Safety Pick+” recognition from the IIHS further ensuring the passive and structural safety tech on this compact family sedan.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Toyota Corolla include:

• Collision mitigation with pedestrian detection
• Lane Keeping and tracing
• Blind-spot detection (Available)
• Radar-based adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition

2023 Toyota Corolla vs 2023 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has been a long-standing and prime rival for the Toyota Corolla. While the Civic has been updated grounds up recently, the Corolla gets a significant midlife update this year. Though both compact sedans were more or less comparable in most parameters all this time, the latest generation of the Civic set the benchmark so high that every measurable parameter, including performance, is better on the Honda. Although Toyota has made the Corolla more interesting this year, we highly doubt if that would be enough to take on the fantastic Honda Civic. The Camry is still a great affordable compact sedan and would find more homes, but to match the new Civic, it would require more than just a facelift.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai, as always, gets a great start with its lower base price tag when compared to the Toyota Corolla. The Elantra also comes out as the bigger sedan here offering better cabin space and practicality, gets better fuel economy, and also, in typical Hyundai fashion gets more features on price-comparable trims. However, the Toyota Corolla hits back with its better-performing base engine, supple ride quality, and excellent after-sales support. Even though Hyundai has come a long way, reliability is still one part where the Corolla triumphs over the Hyundai Elantra especially when considering the fact that these sedans would clock in a lot of mileage in a short time. Also, given that Hyundai has not updated the Elantra for quite some time now, gives the Corolla an upper hand for being the nicer choice, period.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs 2022 Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is probably the most dated car in this segment and it definitely shows. Though Mazda’s initial build quality is hard to match for many, the practicality and economy side of things are a bit low on this compact sedan. Though the Corolla is not significantly bigger than the Mazda, it does manage to bring in a better sense of space, comfort, and usability. The fuel economy and tank ranges are also significantly better on the Corolla. Even though we would choose the slick 6-speed transmission on the Mazda 3 over CVT any day, the lazy engine and high curb weight make it slower than the Corolla in base format. Also minding the fact that Mazda has a replacement for the 3 in the pipeline, buying one now just doesn’t make any sense.

The answer to this question always was and will be an absolute yes. Being the car that singlehandedly made the term “reliability’ mainstream, the Toyota Corolla is one compact sedan you won’t need a second thought when buying. In recent years, the Corolla has gone a drastic change from subdued family-friendly to outright sporty, but apart from the looks, the primary pillars which build this sedan still stay true to the core, with the prime factors being dependability, ease of use, and economical ownership experience. If you are looking to buy a Corolla, then 2023 would be the perfect year as we see it and if you are less enthusiastic about agility and more into usability, we find zero chances of the 2023 Toyota Corolla disappointing you.