2022 Toyota Corolla Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The current-generation Toyota Corolla has been around for a few years, launching as a 2019 model in hatchback form, with the sedan following for 2020. As with other recent Toyota models, the Corolla aims to counter the automaker’s reputation for boringness with extroverted exterior styling, including scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. But the Corolla can’t out-weird the latest Hyundai Elantra, nor is it design as cohesive as the more recently redesigned Honda Civic's.

The Corolla also follows current Toyota practice by offering different styling elements for certain trim levels. The SE and XSE models get an aggressive front fascia that makes the Corolla look like it’s wearing a mouth guard. The Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim with the Upgrade package, adds blacked-out trim, while the Apex Edition gets a subtle body kit, with model-specific 18-inch wheels.

In Cement Grey, and doing its best “Fast and Furious” impression, our SE Apex Edition test car definitely had presence. We appreciate Toyota’s effort to make the Corolla look like more than just basic transportation, and other trim levels get less flashy styling for buyers who don’t want to model street-racer fashion.

Like most other Toyota cars, the Corolla uses a version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform introduced with the current-generation Prius for the 2016 model year. That means the Corolla shares some structural elements with the larger Camry sedan and the RAV4 crossover SUV, among others.

The interior is a little less imaginative than the exterior, but it has an appealing, simple look. Our test car’s fit and finish were up to usual Toyota standards, but we could have done without the piano black plastic trim, which attracts dust and is easily smudged. Our SE Apex Edition also had essentially the same interior as the standard SE, with no changes to match the sportier exterior styling, and light grey upholstery that looked like it would show stains readily. Cloth upholstery is standard on the Corolla, with SofTex leatherette available on some trim levels.

The Corolla sedan gets two engine options, depending on the trim level. Corolla L, LE, and XLE models have a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. Corolla SE and XSE models get a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, upping output to 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Apex Edition models get the same engine with a sport exhaust system.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is mandatory with the smaller engine on all grades but the base L, which comes with a six-speed manual. The 2.0-litre engine is available with a six-speed manual gearbox with rev matching or a CVT with paddle shifters. Regardless of engine and transmission choice, every 2022 Corolla is front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) is coming for the 2023 model year, though.

The manual transmission was a good fit for our SE Apex Edition test car, which strives for sportiness not only with its throatier exhaust system, but also with its model-specific suspension, including unique coil springs that lower the car 1.5 centimetres, solid stabilizer bars, and an increased spring rate. This noticeably affected handling, making the Apex Edition much more nimble than other Corolla models we’ve driven. It felt eager to turn into corners, with excellent front-end feel and only a little understeer. The suspension changes also had a negative effect on ride quality, stiffening up the ride significantly, but driving enthusiasts on a budget might find it a worthwhile compromise.

It's important to remember that the Apex Edition isn’t a fully fledged performance model. It doesn’t get any tire, brake, or engine upgrades, and the latter was especially apparent when accelerating away from a stop or merging onto highways. The stick shift helped us manage what little power there was, at least. And at least the Apex Edition was fun in the corners, something we can’t say of the standard Corolla, which is reasonably comfortable but not particularly exciting. And if a comfortable commuter car is what you want, the Volkswagen Jetta is a better choice.

The Corolla has headroom and legroom specs similar to the new Honda Civic. It feels decently roomy, and we appreciate the low beltline, which aids outward visibility. However, the Corolla suffers from the same lack of forward visibility as many other current compact sedans. The steeply raked windshield requires a deep dashboard, pushing the front seats further back and making it hard to see the end of the hood.

Toyota said it also lowered the driver’s hip point and moved the driver’s seat rearward with the latest redesign for optimal positioning, but long-legged drivers might still find a lack of knee space. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is standard, at least, making it easier to find an ideal driving position. Front-seat and rear-seat cushions feel squishy, not supportive.

The Corolla sedan’s 371 litres of cargo space is behind competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. Toyota does at least include a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat as standard equipment, while a power trunk release is available on certain trim levels. Air conditioning and keyless entry are also standard.

The sleek interior design also limits storage space for smaller items. The centre console is very thin, and while its two cupholders work well enough for their intended purpose, they’re not deep enough to hold other items. The angled phone tray (wireless charging is available) is too small and oddly shaped to be useful.

The 2022 Corolla is starting to fall behind in terms of infotainment tech. Toyota’s lack of recent updates to its infotainment system means the Corolla doesn’t fare well in comparisons to more recently redesigned compact cars.

A 7-inch touchscreen is standard on the Corolla L base model, but all other trim levels get an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio are standard across the board, along with a six-speaker audio system. A nine-speaker, 800-watt, JBL audio system is equipped on the Corolla XSE and XLE.

The interface is relatively easy to use, with helpful home buttons for each menu, and we appreciate that Toyota maintained analog climate controls. But some tasks, such as selecting a radio station, aren’t as easy to accomplish as with other automakers’ infotainment systems. The graphics also look laughably dated compared to the latest Hyundai and Kia have to offer. And Toyota doesn’t offer wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Corolla also doesn’t offer any novel features for tech enthusiasts, such as the Hyundai Elantra’s Digital Key, which allows a smartphone to be used in place of the key fob. But that may not be a priority for all buyers.

Both the Corolla sedan and hatchback received an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick+” award for the 2022 model year. That is the IIHS’s highest safety award, and came with top “Good” scores in all crash tests, but the Corolla’s headlights received lower “Acceptable” or “Marginal” ratings, depending on the trim level.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave 2022 Corolla hatchback and sedan models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests.

In addition to its impressive safety ratings, the Corolla gets eight airbags and a long list of standard driver-assist features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 banner. Standard safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist (Toyota’s equivalent to lane-keep assist), adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also available and is standard from the Corolla LE.

The Toyota Corolla sedan gets fuel economy of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 5.9 on the highway, and 6.8 combined with the 2.0-litre engine and CVT, with slightly higher ratings for other configurations. Our manual-transmission SE Apex Edition test car was rated at 8.2 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.4 combined, and we came pretty close to that with an observed 7.8 L/100 km. Toyota also offers the extremely fuel-efficient Corolla Hybrid sedan rated at 4.5 L/100 km combined.

The 2022 Corolla gets the same three-year, 60,000-kilometre, basic warranty and a five-year, 100,000-kilometre, powertrain warranty as other Toyota models. That’s equivalent coverage to most other compact sedans.

Pricing for sedan models starts at $19,450 for the base Corolla L trim level with the six-speed manual transmission and $21,250 for the L CVT, rising to $29,050 for a loaded XSE CVT model (prices do not include a $1,760 destination charge). Our SE Apex Edition manual test car has a base MSRP in Canada of $27,600.

The Corolla is a solid all-rounder, but it doesn’t excel in any particular area. It lacks the rambunctiousness of the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, the refinement of the Volkswagen Jetta, and the tech features of the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte. Nor does it offer the Subaru Impreza’s standard AWD for wintry climates.

However, the Toyota does boast excellent safety ratings, lots of standard driver-assist tech, and an array of possible configurations most other compact cars can’t match. It’s also one of the few cars still available with a manual transmission. So while the Corolla isn’t the best compact car, it’s still a good one, and worthy of consideration.

Note: Images show a US model.