2022 Toyota Corolla Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The 2022 Toyota Corolla exists as an affordable and attractive compact car that's loaded with standard active safety features. While alternatives such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3 are more fun to drive, the Corolla has a comfortable ride quality and sporty models of its own. As with many of its compact competitors, the Toyota is offered as a sedan or a hatchback. Both have distinctive designs, but uncharacteristically the hatch has a smaller back seat and less cargo space than the sedan. Select models can be had with a manual transmission, and the sedan offers an exceptionally fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. Unfortunately, every model comes with a coarse-sounding engine. Still, the 2022 Corolla continues to be a popular choice, especially among shoppers who prioritize style and safety.

What's New for 2022?

Toyota only makes a few changes to the 2022 Corolla family. The LE Hybrid adds a Premium interior package that includes a leather-trimmed steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, and heated front seats. The sedan adds two new paint colors (Ruby Flare and Windchill Pearl), and the hatchback is now available with a Finish Line Red paint job.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We'd choose the sporty-ish SE sedan. Along with a sport-tuned suspension that makes it more fun to drive than the regular setup, it's available with a manual transmission. We'd happily check that box, even though it voids the option packages that are otherwise available with the standard continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Thankfully, the Corolla SE sedan still comes standard with plenty of features to keep us satisfied. The list includes 18-inch wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front sport seats, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Except for the sportier SE and XSE models, the Corolla sedan uses a 139-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The zestier versions have a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pairs with a CVT or optional six-speed manual. While all hatchbacks have the larger engine, only the sedan offers a hybrid powertrain. Our tests of the Corolla SE hatchback and the Corolla XSE sedan proved even the strongest engine doesn't deliver adequate acceleration. The Toyota twins were prudent around town and steady on the highway. However, hard acceleration produced coarse engine sounds that diminished their refinement. Both the Corolla sedan and the hatchback have a pleasant ride quality that adequately isolates all but the worst bumps. Their controlled body motions also provide better agility than previous iterations. The Corolla SE and XSE further separate themselves with a stiffer sport-tuned suspension and the latter's larger 18-inch wheels (everything else rides on either 15- or 16-inch rims). Still, compared with athletic and engaging rivals, such as the Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf, the Corolla's progressive steering is satisfactory but not exemplary. While neither Corolla body style had impressive results in our 70-mph-to-zero braking test—requiring between 174 and 183 feet—their brake pedals were dependable and easy to operate.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Along with two fuel-efficient four-cylinders, the Corolla sedan offers an immensely thrifty hybrid model. The EPA estimates the hybrid will earn 53 mpg city and 52 highway. Comparatively, the government estimates the nonhybrid sedan's 2.0-liter engine will earn up to 40 mpg highway while the 1.8-liter is rated up to 38 mpg highway. The hybrid we tested earned 56 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route; the Corolla XSE sedan we tested saw 41 mpg. The Corolla hatchback is rated up to 32 mpg city and 42 highway. We tested hatchbacks with the automatic and manual and they earned 40 and 36 mpg, respectively. For more information about the Corolla's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Corolla hatchback and sedan share a streamlined dashboard and soft-touch materials. Most models have passive entry and push-button start. Others can also be upgraded with ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. Those who regularly have back-seat passengers should consider the sedan over the hatchback since it has considerably more legroom behind the front seats. The Corolla hatchback has 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind its back seat, but we only fit two carry-on bags back there. However, the new no-cost Enhanced Cargo Space option expands that area by 6 cubic feet (23 total) by replacing the spare tire with a tire-repair kit. While the sedan only has 13 cubes of trunk volume, we squeezed eight bags inside. Both body styles had inferior interior cubby storage compared with some more capacious rivals. Thankfully, there's a convenient tray at the front of their center console and a useful bin below the armrest.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Corolla has a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The large touchscreen bezel dominates the dashboard, but its numerous hard buttons and rotary volume and tuning knobs help keep the driver's eyes on the road during use. Top options include wireless charging and an upgraded JBL audio system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The entire Corolla lineup also offers a host of standard driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Corolla's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota provides the Corolla with a competitive warranty that's highlighted by complimentary scheduled maintenance. However, rivals such as the Hyundai Elantra and the Kia Forte offer much longer powertrain coverages that span 10 years or 100,000 miles.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

More Features and Specs