Quick Take: 2020 Toyota Corolla
Recently, Cartrast got a chance to drive the 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan. Significantly updated for the 2020 model year, the Corolla has a new design, an available Hybrid version, as well as standard safety features such as a pre-collision system, radar cruise control, and lane departure alerting. We sampled the top-end XSE trim level, which came with heated front sport seats, a moonroof, 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, blind spot monitoring, and LED headlamps. Our test vehicle also had the $1,715 Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation package, which brought navigation, a 9-speaker JBL sound system, and Qi-compatible smartphone wireless charging.
The Corolla’s base engine is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder making 139 horsepower while the XSE version we test drove had a 2-liter 4-cylinder putting out 169 horsepower. In addition, our car had sport suspension and a sport drive mode along with 18-inch alloy wheels. We tackled the winding roads in the hills of Carmel Valley and the Corolla XSE was plenty of fun in the corners, very much unlike Corollas of the past. Despite the sport suspension, the Corolla was a very comfortable and relaxing place to be, helped by the supportive seats and upgraded stereo.
Our fully-loaded Corolla XSE had a price tag of $29,168. Most buyers will consider it expensive for a Corolla, but with compared to a base Audi A3 or Acura ILX, the Corolla XSE is a steal and buyers can experience the trademark Corolla reliability and resale value. Ultimately, Toyota has hit a home run with the 2020 Corolla and compact sedan shoppers can ignore this car at their peril.
