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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2024 Toyota Corolla Review
Toyota’s long–running sedan is back with all of the value a Corolla is known for. We look at interior options, safety features, and more in our review.
What’s New for the 2024 Toyota Corolla?
With a history stretching back more than 50 years, the Toyota Corolla is the definition of staying power. And looking over the 2024 Toyota Corolla, it’s easy to see why. This littlest of Toyotas comes in sedan and hatchback shapes, offers gas, hybrid, and hot rod powertrains, and looks sharp doing it.
After kicking off the 12th generation in 2020 and following a mid-cycle refresh for the 2023 Corolla, this year’s model is marked by the return of the Nightshade Edition. Now offered on the hybrid lineup, these variants sport 18-inch bronze wheels, plenty of blacked-out bits, a black roof, and a special vented spoiler on hatchback versions.
2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Nightshade – toyota.com | Shop 2024 Toyota Corolla on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
8/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
7.5/10
Technology
Score
7.75/10
Value
Score
8/10
The Breakdown
The GR variant
Excellent fuel economy
Low base price
AWD requires hybrid powertrain
Sluggish acceleration
Small infotainment screen
A Corolla for everyone
2024 Corolla Specs
- 169 horsepower from base engine
- 151 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 13.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Top rating from the NHTSA and IIHS
- 9-speaker JBL audio system
- 2 years of complimentary maintenance
2024 Toyota Corolla Powertrain 8/10
The standard 2024 Corolla powertrain is a 2.0L inline-4 rated for 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque or you can opt for the thrifty hybrid setup, which consists of a 1.8L inline-4 and battery-powered motor that comes in at 138 hp. Both setups pair with a CVT to spin the front wheels, though the hybrid – which is only available as a sedan – offers AWD via a second electric motor.
These powertrains are miserly with fuel. The gas engine earns between 33 and 35 mpg combined, while the hybrid ranges from 44 to 50 mpg combined depending on trim line. But fast they are not. It’s reported that a 0-60 mph run takes a leisurely 8.8 seconds in the gas-only models and a truly slow 9.6 seconds for the hybrids.
So, as we note in this comparison, most Corollas struggle to keep up with the Mazda 3. But that’s not the case with the Corolla GR, a hot hatch with 300 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque from its screaming 1.6L turbocharged 3-cylinder motor. It pairs only with a 6-speed manual and AWD with the option for front and rear limited-slip differentials.
2024 Toyota Corolla Interior 7.5/10
As an economy car, the 2024 Toyota Corolla’s cabin will never be described as fancy, but it does have a clean, uncluttered design and covers all the basics. Most models come with cloth upholstery, though faux leather is available as are heated front seats. Automatic climate control is lineup-standard, but only XLE Hybrid models offer the handsome Macadamia and Mocha two-tone SofTex seating design.
As for cargo space, the hatchback has nearly 18 cubic feet behind the back seat to the 13 in the sedan’s trunk and a total of 23 cubes when that seat is folded down. However, there are only 30 inches of rear legroom in the hatch versus 35 with the sedan. In any case, the Corolla can’t keep up on interior space with the likes of these inexpensive hybrid SUVs, but with the hybrid powertrain, the Corolla owns the fuel economy comparison.
2024 Toyota Corolla Technology Features 7.75/10
The 8-inch touchscreen found across the 2024 Corolla lineup isn’t going to land it on this list of the best infotainment systems, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is pretty nice. A Wi-Fi hotspot, dual USB ports for both rows of seating, and a 6-speaker stereo are also included. But the JBL 9-speaker audio system and wireless phone charging pad require a higher-grade Corolla or optional package.
Every 2024 Corolla comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the automaker’s roster of advanced driver-assistance systems that includes forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping system, and automatic high beams. It earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and 2023 models received a Top Safety Pick nod from the IIHS.
2024 Toyota Corolla Trims & Pricing
LE – $22,995
This entry-level Corolla comes in sedan form only with hybrid power a $1,400 option. Features include 16-inch steel wheels, LED head and tail lights, cloth upholstery, and a 10-year subscription to Safety Connect with automatic collision notification and an SOS button. For $2,190, the LE Premium package tacks on blind-spot monitoring , rear cross-traffic alert, heated side mirrors, a moonroof, and a wireless charging pad.
SE – $24,450
SE models start life as a hatchback, but can built as a sedan for an extra $985 or a hybrid sedan for $2,385 more. The amenities roster grows to include 18-inch alloy wheels, available two-tone paint, sporty exterior trim, and seat fabric finished in gray or black with red accents.
Nightshade Edition – $25,450
Nightshade Edition Corollas follow SE grade on the hatch to sedan to hybrid trajectory but with more style. Exclusive 18-inch bronze wheels are fitted along with sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a black-and-red cabin treatment. These Corollas also come with a 1-year subscription to Remote Connect, which allows app-based control of certain vehicle functions.
XSE – $27,750
As with the SE and Nightshade, XSE trim is offered in hatch, sedan, and hybrid flavors. These well-equipped Corollas sport heated side mirrors, a moonroof, heated front seats with power-adjustability on the driver’s side, a digital gauge cluster, and the option for a $600 JBL audio system.
XLE Hybrid – $28,145
Only sold in sedan format, these top-spec hybrids ride on 16-inch alloy wheels for efficiency’s sake, have a navigation system, and SofTex leatherette upholstery in black or a handsome Macadamia and Mocha finish. Like the XSE, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert is standard here.
GR – $36,100
In “entry-level” Core trim, the Corolla GR gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and all the riotous fun that comes with a 300-horse 3-cylinder engine. For an extra $3,820, Premium versions add slotted rotors with painted calipers, a JBL stereo, and heated front seats. Or you can tack on $4,820 to get into a Circuit Edition with a bulging hood, a carbon fiber roof, and a more extroverted rear spoiler.
2024 Toyota Corolla Overall Value 8/10
For maximum value, the 2024 Corolla LE hybrid sedan is where it’s at. A Hyundai Elantra hybrid matches up well from a fuel economy perspective but has a price point that starts $1,200 higher than the Corolla. However, the Corolla’s warranty which includes 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage, a 5-year/60,000-powertrain term, and 2 years of complimentary service all fall short of what Hyundai includes.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8/10
2024 Toyota Corolla – toyota.com | Shop 2024 Toyota Corolla on Carsforsale.com
On the whole, it feels like you’re getting a lot of car for the money in the 2024 Toyota Corolla. The $23,000 base price is less than half the current average new car price and with it comes excellent fuel economy, wireless smartphone integration, and impressive safety ratings.
If that’s not to your liking, surely there is a hatchback, hybrid, or AWD 6-speed manual GR pocket rocket that is. It’s all part of how Toyota manages to build a 2024 Corolla suitable for anyone, a recipe that churns out some one million Corollas annually across the globe. We’d take one.
2024 Toyota Corolla FAQ
How much is the new Corolla?
The 2024 Toyota starts at $22,995; hybrid models start at $24,395 and the GR models start at $36,100.
Where are Toyota Corolla’s made?
Toyota builds Corollas for the North American market at its factory in Blue Springs, Mississippi.
What is the M gear on a Toyota Corolla?
M gear is a “manual” drive setting for the transmission. In this mode, drivers can push the shifter to the plus position to shift up and minus position to shift down.
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