Why you should take a look at the new Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla is all-new and it’s easily the most interesting new Corolla to debut in years. While Corollas from the 1980s were offered with rear-wheel drive and hot-hatchback, the Corollas of recent memory have all been simple, economical, point-to-point people movers and not much else. That’s starting to change, though, with the introduction of the all-new 2020 model. In addition to the Corolla’s vastly improved looks and overall more engaging demeanor, Toyota has taken this opportunity to introduce a few new variants, and buyers can now opt for a sporty new hatchback bodystyle (introduced as a 2019 model) complete with an available rev-matching 6-speed manual transmission and a hyper-efficient new hybrid model as well, which returns an impressive 52 miles per gallon combined.

Altogether, while it isn’t a sports car, the new Corolla offers buyers a little something extra regardless of trim level or bodystyle.

What’s new for 2020?

The 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan is all-new, while the Corolla Hatchback, which was all-new for 2019, gains Android Auto compatibility to go with Apple CarPlay along with a Nightshade trim edition (offered on the sedan as well) and an optional black roof. 

How much?

$20,555 — $28,670

Fuel economy

The 2020 Corolla is offered with three different powertrains. Offered in basic L and LE models is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder making 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic (which offers a fixed first gear for smoother starts), the base engine returns 30 miles per gallon in the city, 38 mpg on the highway and 33 mpg combined.

Starting with the SE trim, the Corolla gets a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes paired to either the CVT or a 6-speed manual with a trick rev-matching feature, although the manual is only available with the hatchback and on one trim level of the sedan. With the CVT, the Corolla sedan returns 31 mpg city/40 mpg hwy/34 mpg combined, while the hatchback nets 32 mpg city/41 mpg hwy/35 mpg combined. Manual-equipped Corolla sedans return 29 mpg city/36 mpg hwy/32 mpg combined while manual hatchbacks come in at 28 mpg city/37 mpg hwy/31 mpg combined.

Finally, the 2020 Corolla is offered, for the first time in the U.S., as a hybrid. The 2020 Corolla Hybrid comes only in LE trim and offers a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder making 121 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, paired with a hybrid system. The Corolla Hybrid returns an impressive 53 mpg city/52 mpg hwy/52 mpg combined.

The new Corolla is far more engaging than the generations that preceded it. If you’re looking for an economical compact car but have written off the Corolla as being too boring for your tastes, we’d encourage you to reconsider. Between the new hatchback design, the excellent 6-speed manual transmission and the incredibly efficient hybrid model, there’s now a Corolla out there for just about anyone. Find yours at Toyota of Rockwall today!