2022 Toyota Corolla

Pros: Peppy, efficient drivetrain with 2.0-liter engine; sporty driving personality; available hybrid model

Cons: Limited back seat room in hatchback; infotainment screen looks tacked on; XSE’s upsized wheels and tires compromise ride quality somewhat

CG Says: For 2022, the Corolla sees no significant changes. New colors offered are Finish Line Red for hatchbacks and Ruby Flare and Windchill Pearl for sedans. A new Premium Interior Package is available for the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE, which includes a leather wrapped steering wheel, synthetic leather seats and power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar.

Toyota introduced a redesigned Corolla 4-door hatchback for 2019 and a new Corolla sedan joined the hatchback on the latest platform for 2020. However, the sedan has a wheelbase that is 2.4-inches longer than the hatchback for better rear-seat room.

All Corolla hatchbacks are powered by a 168-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. That same engine is rated at 169 hp in SE and XSE sedans. L, LE, XLE sedans have a 139-hp 1.8-liter four. Plus, a hybrid powertrain is available in the Corolla sedan. The Hybrid combines a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with two electric motors for a total of 121 horsepower. Transmission choices for gas-powered cars are a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic. The hybrid is CVT only.

Available features include forward collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning and mitigation, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, road-sign identification, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Amazon Alexa Connectivity, and keyless access and starting.

The current Toyota Corolla’s chassis has far better driving dynamics than past-generation Corollas, and the 2.0-liter engine is respectably peppy. These attributes, combined with Toyota’s traditional value equation, make the Corolla an especially strong competitor in the compact-car class.