2021 Subaru WRX vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation form, was one of the most attractive Corollas in recent history. The SE and XSE trims added sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a matching diffuser panel, a subtle body kit, a twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. When dipped in Celestite Gray metallic paint, the Corolla had a genuinely appealing look. However, the design had its quirks, such as the hood shut line that visually truncated the front end and drew attention to the car’s massive overbite. The rear quarter view was the car’s best angle, but even here, the standard Corollas had an over-styled rear bumper. The Apex Edition amplified these stranger aspects.

For those seeking anonymity, the Corolla L, LE, or XLE were better choices. Toyota also offered a Corolla Hybrid with the same powertrain as the Prius, available only in LE trim. These versions ranged from $19,925 to $24,325, excluding the destination charge. The Corolla SE ($22,375) and XSE ($25,825) were the sporty versions with a more powerful engine, different transmissions, a Sport driving mode, and bigger wheels and tires. The Apex Edition started at $25,070. The XSE trim featured a well-crafted interior with soft leatherette for the dashboard, densely padded upper door panel trim, and robust switchgear, giving the Corolla an impression of substance. The design was clean and minimalist, though practical storage was lacking due to a center console design that emphasized form over function.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a reputation for an adolescent aesthetic, often compared to a rebellious teenager within the Subaru family. Compared to the racier WRX STI, the standard WRX looked tame, lacking the race-ready rear wing. The WRX had a wedge-like front end and a very short trunk lid, giving it the appearance of speed even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to this impression. Inside, the WRX resembled other Subaru compact cars from the past decade. The current generation, introduced in 2015, looked dated compared to competitors like the VW GTI. The WRX cockpit was function-first, sacrificing fit and finish, with plenty of hard plastics contributing to its immature reputation.

The WRX came in Base, Premium, and Limited trims. The base model featured 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, manual seats, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a pair of USB ports, along with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trim added 18-inch wheels, fog lights, heated seats, pushbutton start, auto on/off headlights, and a larger 7-inch infotainment screen. The Premium also offered an automatic transmission option, unlocking the EyeSight suite of driver assistance features. The range-topping WRX Limited added leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, LED fog lights, and adaptive steering-responsive LED headlights. An options package included navigation, a premium stereo, and additional driver-assistance features. For more performance, the WRX STI was the choice, offering a more powerful engine, Brembo brakes, and Recaro front seats.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE were equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine paired with a Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT), paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode. A six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev-matching was an option for the SE trim, costing an extra $200. The XSE test car’s CVT was one of the best examples of this type, using a mechanical first gear to eliminate drivetrain slip and ten programmed ratios to hide typical CVT traits.

The Corolla sat on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, engineered for a low center of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics. It featured electric steering, vented front and solid disc rear brakes, and a MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear suspension. The SE and XSE had 18-inch aluminum wheels and more aggressive 225/40 all-season tires. Despite its modest power, the Corolla XSE demonstrated predictable handling characteristics, making it a competent compact car similar to a Honda Civic or a standard Mazda3. The EPA estimated the Corolla XSE’s fuel economy at 34 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 31.1 mpg on a mountainous route.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The WRX’s engine layout allowed for a balanced engine with a low center of gravity, ideal for an AWD system. Despite being the most powerful among its rivals, the WRX required mastering the revs to extract its full potential. The CVT, though not ideal for driving enthusiasts, kept the revs in the powerband accurately.

The manual transmission was a letdown, with a vague clutch feel, making frequent shifting necessary to keep the revs in the ideal range. The WRX STI offered a more precise manual transmission. The WRX featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, modulating torque distribution and applying slight braking on the inside wheels in a corner, enhancing cornering precision. The WRX had well-weighted steering and excelled on winding roads, though its stiff ride was less comfortable compared to the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE offered numerous upgrades over the SE trim, including SofTex leatherette seats with trendy striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment. This feature provided added comfort and a commanding driving position with clear sightlines forward, making the Corolla easier to enter and exit. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but offered good thigh support. The rear seat cushions provided terrific support and sat reasonably high off the floor, though headroom and legroom were tight, and there were no air conditioning vents for rear passengers.

The Corolla’s trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors but more than others. The Corolla hatchback, covered in a separate review, offered 17.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat. The sedan’s trunk lid lacked an inside handle for easy closing.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a three-box design. Its trunk offered up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Civic Si coupe but less than the sedan and far behind the VW GTI’s cargo capacity. The WRX’s age showed in its interior packaging, with less accommodating in-door bottle-holders and center console cupholders that could obstruct shifting with the manual transmission.

The WRX provided a commanding but comfortable driving position for a compact sedan, with terrific visibility all around. The center console tray and compartment offered decent space, and the rear seats could accommodate four adults with relative ease, highlighting the advantages of a sedan or hatchback layout compared to a coupe or sports car.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Every Corolla also included a free year of Safety Connect services and free access to a Wi-Fi hotspot for three months or 2GB of data use. The SE trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE added Service Connect and Remote Connect, including remote engine starting and a vehicle finder function. The SE and XSE offered a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, with dynamic voice recognition, dynamic navigation, and Destination Assist exclusive to the XSE.

The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for radio volume and tuning, and physical shortcut buttons for easy menu access. The dynamic voice recognition was quick and accurate. Minor complaints included the radio knobs being hard to grasp and the JBL sound system lacking clarity.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls despite dated graphics. The Limited trim featured an option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality. Despite updates, the WRX’s infotainment system was not cutting-edge.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla featured the standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The 2021 model added standard rear side-impact airbags and a new rear cross-traffic warning function to the blind-spot warning system. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had minor issues, but overall, the safety features performed well. The 2020 Corolla earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 model required re-testing due to the addition of new airbags.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. The EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were options on the Limited trim. All WRX trims included a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.