Toyota has been building the compact Corolla for half a century, and over that time it has become one of the go-to compact sedans on the market. While crossovers and SUVs continue to grow in popularity, the Corolla has learned a few tricks to stand out in the crowd.
The Corolla has adapted to the changing landscape by offering AWD, something many compact sedans just do not offer. The Corolla Hybrid I drove is confident on wet roads and still offers a compliant, easy-to-live-with ride. It dispatches most bumps easily, without jarring those inside. The hybrid system allows for economical cruising with a few small motors and a gas engine working nicely together. Whether stop-and-go or city driving, this Toyota gets nearly 50 MPG. Just don’t be in a hurry: This Toyota Corolla Hybrid is leisurely at best when you hit the gas. Also, the cabin is a bit noisier than I would like when on the highway, cruising at higher speeds.
The Corolla Hybrid SE comes with an 8-inch touch screen with optional premium sound that’s easy to use, with good graphics. The system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, which you connect to wirelessly. Front seat riders have comfortable, handsome sport seats that are good for long trips. But back seat riders might find the rear seat legroom lacking, compared to some of the competition. Cargo space also suffers from the hybrid system, with less depth in the trunk than non-hybrid versions of the Corolla.
The Corolla Hybrid SE has more daring styling than you might think. LED lighting, a blacked-out front grill and other trim pieces, flared fenders, body curves and interesting lines will get this compact sedan noticed. The SE version styling is enhanced, with dark colored 18-inch aluminum wheels and a rear spoiler to keep that sporty look going and look pricier than it really is.
Cost: $27,140; as tested $29,530
MPG: 47 mpg city and 41 mpg highway; I managed 46.6 mpg in 487 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection; full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control; lane departure alert with steering with steering assist; lane tracking assist; blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert
Options: $1,295 SE premium package
Things to know: The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE AWD offers its recipe of a solid compact sedan with the ability to drive economically and year-round, with available AWD.
Pros:
- A stylish small sedan that finally stands out in the crowd
- Hybrid version is easy on the gas
- Price is less than $30,000 for an AWD Hybrid compact sedan in an age of pricey crossovers
Cons:
- Rear seat leg room is not as generous as some other small sedans
- A louder cabin on the highway than I would want
- Slow acceleration with less power than some of the competition
