If you like the Toyota brand, but find the Prius unsuited for your driving needs, it may be time to give the Corolla another look.
The 2020 Corolla reflects how serious Toyota is about small sedans and hatchbacks. It may not shout “look at me” like the RAC4 but is more than worth your time to consider.
Which 2020 Corolla you settle on depends on answering on the question: “Which model offers the most without breaking the bank?”
What 2020 Toyota Corolla specs should you know about?
Some of the most notable are:
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
- 0 -60 mph in 7.3–10.0 sec
- Top speed: 100–115 mph
- Best Models to Consider
All 2020 Toyota Corollas come with touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay compatibility and power features and LED headlights. Safety features common in the entire line are active lane control, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.
All models also inject more flair into their powertrain and their riding and handling capability.
Here are some of what we consider the best of the pack among the various models.
Corolla Hatchback
The hatchback stands out among all the Corollas with its manual gearbox and elegantly balanced road manners.
The Corolla Hatchback comes with a 2.0L inline-4 engine. With a rating of 169 horsepower and 159 lb-ft., the drive train coupled with either CVT or a 6-speed manual gearbox isn’t going to set any land speed records but is everything you need to keep with the pack on the freeway or pass with confidence.
The hatchback is 172 inches long with a 103.9-inch wheelbase making it a bit shorter than the Corolla Sedan and Honda Civic. Even though a few inches shorter, the Hatchback has ample storage space for a car in this class. With the rear seats folded down, there is 18 cubic feet of room.
Corolla Sedan
This is the car for you if you need a 24/7 vehicle. Coupled with reliability, its 1.8-liter inline-4 engine offers 139 hp which provides a smooth and somewhat perky response.
Choose the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and you gain a more sedate driving experience.
The Sedan has a more modern design with a stiffer body that allows for softer tires and suspension.
The sedan has a longer overall length and wheelbase (182.3 inches and 182.3 inches respectively) than the hatchback. This allows for a larger interior though the back seats are still a bit cramped.
On the downside, the Corolla has a rather small 13.1-cubic-foot trunk. Other than that, the 2020 Sedan handles in a more assured way than the 2019 and is a definite improvement.
Hybrid LE CVT
Toyota’s Corolla Hybrid offers a 53 city / 52 hwy mph rating. With specs borrowed from its popular cousin, the Prius, the LE CVT provides moderate but more than acceptable acceleration with its 169 horsepower 1.8L inline-4 engine.
If you’re looking for a speed demon, this is not the car for you. At 3,050 pounds, it weighs less than the Corolla XLE, but the Hybrid is hard put to hit 60 mph in less than 10 seconds.
Should you desire a little more pickup, there are options available that tweak the Hatchback’s power.
One complaint from electric-only purists has been the Hybrid CVT’s half-mile electric-only driving range and its absence of a plug. But that isn’t what a hybrid is about anyway.
No Corolla driver is going to complain about the nimbler steering, high gas mileage, and less than $24,000 price tag.
SE, LE, XSE, or XLE?
All models are available in one or more of these configurations. Which one you choose depends on your driving needs and budget.
Priced at $23,580 MSRP, the Corolla SE comes with a six-way manual cloth sport seats, manual transmission, 18-inch wheels with 225/40-series tires, and dual exhaust tips.
The XLE priced at $24,880 MSRP adds a standard sunroof, 16-inch wheels with 205/55-series tires, an eight-way power driver seat, two USB ports, and synthetic leather upholstery. Other options include wireless smartphone charging, in-car wi-fi, satellite radio, and an 800-watt, nine-speaker audio system with navigation.
Coming in at $26,380 MSRP, the XSE series offers a power sunroof, HD radio, Navigation, and synthetic leather upholstery. Other options include premium nine-speaker audio and ambient lighting.
The Pros and Cons of The 2020 Toyota Corolla
Pros:
- More enjoyable to drive
- New engine with added power
- Sportier look that’s more subtle
- Intuitive infotainment that includes Apple CarPlay
Cons:
- Limited space in the rear seat
- Not enough cargo space
- Wants to be more sporty than it is
- Too noisy
You’ve probably already decided the 2020 Toyota Corolla is just what you want in a family vehicle. Before you sign on the dotted line, get a Vehicle History report. You should trust your dealer, but it is also important to know for sure that Corolla’s history is clear of accidents, branded titles, and all those other potentially costly issues.
