2020 Toyota Corolla

Corolla is the brand’s compact sedan which placed above the subcompact Yaris and below the more premium Camry and Avalon. The 2020 Toyota Corolla L sedan starts at $ 19,500 and goes up to $25, 000 for the top trim. The Corolla sedan comes in five trim levels – L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE – and with a 1.8 or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard, and you can get the larger engine with a six-speed manual transmission. 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	SE	XLE	XSE
MSRP	$19,500	$19,985	$21,950	$23,730	$25,985
Features	15-inch steel wheels	16-inch steel wheels	17-inch alloy wheels	17-inch alloy wheels	17-inch alloy wheels
	LED headlights, LED daytime running lights	Variable intermittent wipers	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	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 with sat radio and navigation	7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation	7-inch touch infotainment system with navigation
	No moon/sunroof	Sunroof is available	Moon roof option available	Available sun/moon roof	Moon roof available
	Automated emergency braking	Automatic climate control	Upgraded infotainment system	Keyless entry and ignition	Heated front seats

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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. Your best bet is a SE or XSE model as they come with the 2.0-litre engine, which is much better for everyday driving. These variants also have features you won't find in more economical trims, like automatic climate control, more-supportive front sport seats, and an upgraded infotainment system with a larger screen.

Toyota now equips the Corolla with a more responsive engine than before for a spirited driving experience. Immediately it becomes a serious rival to alternatives like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, with its 169 hp four-banger available in SE and XLE. The L, LE, and XSE models depend on a 139-hp 1.8-litre engine, powerful enough for a day to day driving but lack linear powerband of 174 hp four-cylinder of  Honda Civic. The power is routed to front wheels through a CVT which has improved a lot over prior generations and an optional 6-speed manual transmission(SE variant)  transforms into a fun-filled ride. Although the automatic transmission gets the job done without much drama.

The competent 2.0-litre engine comes with fixed first gear transmission and a manual function allows the driver to swap between 10 ratios with a pair of a steering-wheel-mounted paddle. Economy cars of the current generation are turning into humble sleepers so you better stay with CVT rather than the manual.  There is also a 121 hp Corolla hybrid which mates a 1.8-litre engine with a 53 kWh electric motor and proves to be very efficient if not powerful.

 

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
MSRP	$21,950	$21,835	$21,000	$21,835
Engine	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.5 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four
Transmission	CVT	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	6-speed manual
Horsepower	169hp @ 6000 rpm	174 hp @ 6500 rpm	186 hp @ 6000 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	142 lb-ft@4400	162 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm	180 lb.-ft. @6000 rpm	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

The asthmatic four-banger feels sluggish with the CVT transmission if compared to the rivals such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. 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. The Hyundai Elantra is a step behind in terms of performance when contrated with rivals.

Acceleration

The 169-hp 2.0-liter inline-four is good enough to take the car form 0 to 60 in 8.2 seconds while decimating the quarter-mile mark in 16 .3 seconds. Acceleration with the less powerful base engine just allows you to keep up with the traffic, if not following it.

We all know that a Corolla is not meant for stoplight races, it more fits in taking kids to school or buying groceries.

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
0-60 MPH(sec)	8.2	8.2	8.0	8.3
Quarter mile(sec)	16.2	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

Compared to its previous iterations the 2020 Toyota Corolla is a vast improvement,  courtesy of new TNGA(Toyota  New Global Architecture) platform, and the new 2.0-litre inline-four powertrain. The suspension has also been upgraded but it only makes the ride much stiffer, undulations enter the lodge with a clunk and more head-jarring experience. Handling has also been improved which helps to make this car feel well sorted in corners and keeps things calm on rougher roads. While the Corolla's ride-and-handling balance is more positive than before, it won't trouble sportier compacts such as the Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, or Honda Civic. 

Your rear passenger has to talk loud in order to communicate with you as the cabin annoyingly loud and the CVT transmission produces droning noise on higher speed. 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. Although it allows a good amount of body roll,  the Corolla seems very predictable once the corner is set. The rear suspension setup is also swapped from a torsion beam to a more sophisticated multi-link system.

Braking

You will experience nosedives while emergency braking in the latest Corolla sedan while there is sufficient stopping power for everyday drivability.  The brakes provide ample amount of response plus easy to modulate too.

The pedal travel is small and 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.

Yes, it may seem counterintuitive but the 2.0-litre inline-four is more efficient than the ageing four-cylinder which was introduced back in the year 2009. The SE CVT gets 31 mpg city, 40 highway, 34 combined, while the SE  with manual transmission gets 19/36/32. The XSE comes with a 2.0-litre engine mated to a CVT and puts out 31/38/34 mpg. With either transmission, this new motor feels like a great fit for the Corolla, providing a good amount of power and fuel economy with little fuss or effort, but the manual-equipped version is the most enjoyable. 

Models	Toyota Corolla Sedan	Honda Civic	Mazda 3	Hyundai Elantra
MPG (city)	31	32	27	28
MPG (highway)	38	42	36	37
MPG (combined)	34	36	30	32

 Fuel economy is quoted as the least favourite prospect of Corolla ownership, and this new Corolla isn’t likely to change that notion. It lacks behind the rivals in terms of efficiency despite being less powerful.

The 2020 Corolla sedan definitely see's a major redesign over the 2018 Corolla, where the simplistic design has evolved into a high-end product from the Japanese manufacturer. Although, the cabin seem smaller because of the black theme as far as the eyes can see and the rear seat legroom has also been reduced. How comfortable is the driver seat depends on your body type, for shorter and thinner people it is a breeze otherwise taller individuals may have an issue. For the price you pay, the seating upholstery and surface materials are brimming with quality for such an affordable vehicle.

The sport-oriented SE and XSE come with heavily bolstered seats which are not as comfort-oriented chairs seen in the L, LE, and XLE model. There is seating for three people in the rear but the legroom also drops from a Camry beating 41.6 inches to 35.2 inches. Whatsoever, the cabin feels spacious and there is nice airy feeling to it with great outward visibility. Also, the current model sits lower than 2017 and 2018 variant which will make entry into the cabin a bit of a task. Its inside is a great place to spend your time even of long distances.

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

You will find the interior quality of hot favourites such as Honda Civic and Mazda 3 much appealing than the Corolla. In terms of interior space, there is not much of a difference in between all the rivals.

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

A tablet styled infotainment system sits atop dashboard with knobs for volume and tuning, additional infotainment controls are on the steering wheel. Now, it can finally match with the technological advancements of other rivals. Smartphone integration with Apple Car Play and Android Auto now comes standard. In the XSE, the integrated navigation works well, and turn-by-turn directions also appear in the gauge cluster. The base 7.0-inch touchscreen has Bluetooth connectivity and voice command. The upper trim model comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen.

More highlights of the infotainment features include:

• HD Radio
• Navigation
• Wireless device charging,
• Nine-speaker JBL premium stereo
• Wi-fi hotspot
• Bluetooth
• USB port
• Rear-view Camera

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 increase 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 of the other rivals.

Corolla owners form 2019 cited that, looks are their most favourite aspect, so the design is very similar to the previous iteration. The 2020 Corolla is now very sporty with a sleeker design and attractive details. The trapezoidal grille looks neatly shaped between J-shaped bi-LED headlamps that encase profoundly into the front fenders. A beautiful character line rises to from the front fender and ends at the rear decklid where you will notice a narrow combination of LED taillights. From the side and back, the Corolla is very understated, not like the brash looking European sedans.

The dimensions are taut which makes it easy for you to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. The  SE and XSE trim arguably looks best, both of which include trim-specific LED accent lighting, smoked taillights, chrome exhaust tips, and tail spoiler. For colouring the exterior of the 2020 Corolla, you can choose between eight hues with varying availability based on trim choice.

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

 

You can conclude that Toyota is a safety superstar, it gets good ratings from various safety institutes. The Corolla comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active safety and driver assistance features which include :

• 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.Still, the Honda is more fun to drive, it has a nicer interior, and it serves up more back-seat space than the Corolla.

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 and customer loyalty. Luckily, there is now much enthusiasm in the Corolla, especially 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'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.