Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 Best Sedan

Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 Best Sedan

Toyota Corolla: A Trusted Nameplate with a Hybrid Twist

The Toyota Corolla stands as one of the most recognized and trusted nameplates in the United States. However, in its over 50 years of history, Toyota had yet to introduce a dedicated hybrid version—until now. The all-new Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 breaks new ground, running on Toyota’s advanced TNGA architecture and offering sleek styling inside and out.

Performance and Efficiency Redefined:

Under the hood, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 boasts a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle. Paired with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive and front-wheel drive, this powertrain delivers a combined output of 121 horsepower and exceptional fuel efficiency, with an EPA-rated 52 mpg combined.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 Styling and Features:

The hybrid variant features a distinct front fascia and LED headlights, while the interior offers modern amenities like a seven-inch LCD in the instrument panel and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay compatibility. Despite its basic LE trim, the Corolla Hybrid provides a comfortable and functional driving experience.

Driving Dynamics and Real-World Usage:

On the road, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 excels as a practical commuter car, offering a smooth and straightforward driving experience. While it may not boast impressive acceleration, its efficiency and reliability make it an ideal choice for daily commuting and long-distance drives.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid  2020 Value Proposition:

With a starting price under $24,000, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 offers exceptional value, combining affordability with impressive fuel economy and Toyota’s renowned reliability. While it may lack some premium features, its practicality and efficiency make it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.

the 2020 Corolla Hybrid Right for You?

For those seeking an affordable and efficient commuter car, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 presents a compelling choice. With its proven reliability, impressive fuel economy, and attractive price point, it deserves serious consideration for anyone in the market for a practical and eco-friendly vehicle.

Anyone looking for an affordable hybrid needs nothing more than a Prius, we have proven… except, of course, for those intolerant of its design, and that face is not easy to digest. All those people who want to enjoy the good things about Prius without such a controversial appearance finally have an alternative in Mexico: the  Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020. We put it to the test.

A Corolla with personality: 

What there is between Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 and Prius is not a sibling rivalry, but rather a union of talents to destroy the not very crowded segment of compact hybrids in our country.

From the outside, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 looks almost like any other in the range. The hybrid is evident in very specific details, such as blue logos, the specific design of 15″ wheels to improve their aerodynamic behavior and, of course, the Hybrid plates.

It is worth highlighting how striking this new generation of Corolla was, not because it is a design revolution in its category, but because for the first time in a long time, the appearance of the Japanese compact proposes something. We said it since that test with the striking hatchback and we reaffirm it today with the sedan that does arrive in Mexico.

Its features are not as extroverted as the five-door model, but it is not committed to the simplicity of the previous generation of the sedan either. Its proportions are very balanced and the LED signature is unlike anything on the streets today.

A comfortable interior with good finishes

The cabin from three leaps in terms of quality. Those rigid finishes from the last generation, which made more sense in a subcompact than in a compact, are buried in the 2019 model. In fact, we like the 2020 Corolla because almost everything inside is soft to the touch.

The dashboard is covered in something similar to leather with visible seams, the front door panels have their respective soft plastics and some elements of the dashboard are embellished with details that simulate brushed aluminum and lacquered black. Perhaps we would have reserved the glossy black finish just for the display surround and not for the center console; it is well known that this type of material gets scratched even if you breathe near it.

The design is minimalist and super functional. The screen is placed in the right place and all the buttons are right where you would expect to find them. The only “but” is the amount of storage space: there are only a couple of cup holders, a not very large armrest and small magazine racks.

And speaking of space, let’s go with something that seems curious to us: the  Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 feels smaller than the last generation, but reviewing the measurements, the differences are millimeters in head and shoulder room, and the same for legs. Even using a new platform, the wheelbase remains exactly the same; the total length of the car is 4.63 meters.

The habitability continues to qualify as correct; The trunk loses around 12% of its capacity, in the hybrid and in all versions. It is not a matter of the position of the batteries, but of the design of the new generation itself.

No equipment sacrificed

Many times, to ensure that a hybrid car remains at a competitive price, brands usually eliminate some elements of the equipment. With the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 the offer is quite interesting.

Like other hybrids in the Toyota family, the  Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 sticks to the better equipped versions of the range. In this case we will find an electric parking brake with auto hold function, a complete trip computer, infotainment with an 8” screen, automatic climate control (single zone), wireless charger, ambient lighting in the doors, smart key and LED headlights.

Perhaps an infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and not just Apple CarPlay would have been interesting. Already on whims, an electro chromatic rearview mirror and even a blind spot monitor would make it more interesting. In the back we do miss some USB charging port or air conditioning outlets.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 Driving is comfortable, quiet and efficient:

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 inherits exactly the same hybrid system as the Prius, that is, a 96 hp Atkinson cycle engine and an electric drive, which together generate 121 hp and 105 lb-ft. These numbers may not sound like much for a compact that also weighs around 1,300 kg, but on a day-to-day basis it feels agile.

You don’t need extraordinary power figures when you have an electric motor with instant torque that provides a lot of support when starting. So many years of Toyota manufacturing hybrid cars are reflected in seeing how both engines work. The combustion system intervenes only when necessary; you can go 80 km/h only in electric mode if you press the accelerator with the sole intention of maintaining, but not gaining, speed.

There are three driving modes:

In ECO the engine feels very anesthetized and I only recommend it for those fans of making every drop of gasoline work. In Normal mode you get very good performance and an agile response; In PWR it is even forceful due to the total availability of the electric motor and the intention of the combustion engine to reach high revolutions.

The CVT effect transmission is not the most sophisticated, although in practical terms of savings, it fulfills its mission.

I am struck by how quiet the combustion engine is and how discreet it is when turning on and off. You don’t really notice unless you keep an eye on the EV bulb in the instrument panel. Of course, the noise from the tread easily sneaks in, even at low speed.

At the wheel he reflects his urban approach. The steering is extremely soft, perhaps too soft, and the suspension is very soft, with a somewhat firm ride. In the city it is very comfortable. On high or medium speed winding roads it delivers, although it does not perform with the same talent as on streets and avenues. The excess assistance in the steering and its smoothness do not convey the precision that we would like when making short curves, but it is easy to maintain the trajectory.

With the TNGA platform comes an independent rear suspension to replace the torsion beam of the previous model. Its smoothness generates a very clear roll in the cornering area, although curiously it is much more stable than we imagined, largely thanks to the low center of gravity provided by the batteries. Your best scenario is straight highways.

The million dollar question: how much do you consume? During the time we had it tested we averaged 17.5 km/l, which could have been more if we had been more lenient with the accelerator. With Prius, for example, we reach more than 19 km/l.

A highly recommended hybrid:

The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 is the best side of the Prius. Its arrival marks a checkmate for Toyota in the compact hybrid market, where its only competitor is the Hyundai Ioniq. It offers comfort, reliability, a good level of equipment, a high promise of efficiency and a design much more in tune with popular taste.