Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
Confident handling paired with a smooth ride quality
Impressive list of standard advanced driving aids
Added utility of a hatchback
Excellent fuel efficiency
Cons
Rivals offer more cargo and cabin space
What's new
Revised front and rear styling
Updated touchscreen interface and advanced driver aids
Previously available manual transmission is discontinued
Part of the 12th Corolla generation introduced for 2019
Overview
The Toyota Corolla Hatchback has been a solid, if somewhat uninspiring, compact hatchback since its debut in 2019. There's a lot to like, but it's never been particularly a standout in its class. For 2023, the Corolla Hatchback gets a number of updates, including redesigned headlights and bumpers and improved in-car tech and driver aids, that should add a bit to the Corolla Hatchback's appeal.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Starting things off is a new infotainment system for the 8-inch center touchscreen. Changes start with a quicker processor and sharper-looking graphics. You'll now get wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and an improved voice control system that allows you to do more things, such as adjust the stereo volume and cabin temperature. The 2023 Corolla Hatchback also gets the latest version of Toyota's safety suite called Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Toyota says that many of the included systems, such as forward collision warning and lane keeping assistance, have been improved to provide better detection and functionality.
Overall, we think the updated Corolla Hatchback is a solid pick. But you might want to also check out the Honda Civic hatchback and Mazda 3 hatchback. The Civic is roomier on the inside than the Corolla, and the Mazda 3 is more upscale and offers available all-wheel drive and turbocharged power.
Which Corolla Hatchback does Edmunds recommend?
While we don't always recommend a vehicle's top trim, we think the XSE trim is the best of the Corolla Hatchback's two available trims. The base model is a bit thin on creature comforts compared to the XSE, so we think the step up in price is worth it.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback models
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is available in two trim levels: SE and XSE. Last year's Nightshade appearance package has been dropped from the lineup, though some of its features are available as options. The manual transmission is no longer available, meaning all Corolla Hatchbacks now use a 168-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, that drives the front wheels. Feature highlights for the SE and XSE include:
SE
Comes with a decent list of standard features, including:
16-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights and taillights
Heated power mirrors
Automatic climate control
Keyless entry with push-button engine start
Fabric seat upholstery
Manually adjustable driver's seat
60/40-split folding rear seat
Two USB ports
8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (both with wireless connectivity)
Satellite radio
Connected services including a Wi-Fi hotspot
For 2023, Toyota has updated the Corolla Hatchback's driver aid suite. All Corolla Hatchbacks now come with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 that includes:
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also react to speed limit signs)
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Automatic high-beam headlights
There are a few available options, including:
Black-painted grille, mirrors, antenna, rear spoiler and roof
SE Premium package
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
XSE
The top-level XSE trim includes all of the base model's features, adding:
18-inch alloy wheels
LED foglights
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Bigger driver information display in the instrument cluster
Simulated leather seats with fabric inserts
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Wireless charging pad
Upgraded JBL sound system
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE Nightshade Edition 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I needed a second/ commuter car that looks cool and gets great gas mileage. Car is smooth to drive, nice steering feel doesn't have that front wheel drive steering pull in corners, has plenty of go to get out in traffic. Interior is nice and comfortable, infotainment system is good and stereo is better than expected! It needs a subwoofer to fill in sound. I'm getting 30+ in combination … city/hi way driving motor is still breaking in with 600 miles on it. Over all I like it alot! Alot better that my CLA250 for less that half the price.
Great compact car, plenty of comfort and power!
5 out of 5 stars
Bob, 06/29/2020
2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
It is a very sporty, cool looking hatchback! The hatchback lid makes the storage area look small, but the lid goes up as you store more supplies in the back! It has remarkable take off power, smooth and zippy! We were surprised at the blastoff feeling from a stopped position. The CVT is smooth and quiet. Nice! AC is cold, cold, COLD! The backup video makes backing up much less stressful … and easier! Plenty of storage in glove compartment and else within the front seat area. The only thing we really don't love is how low it sits to the ground, but that is a small complaint compared to all of the great value of this enjoyable car!
Amazing Car
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing car, 03/25/2021
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
This is a great car that drives as good as it looks. 6 speed manual shifts like butter & the appearance is very sporty & nicely appointed interior.
Great handling
5 out of 5 stars
Chris L, 02/12/2021
2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
I own the 2020 6 speed manual se and have been driving it for almost a year now. It is slow off the line for a sporty model but the handling around curves is great.
First gear is short and shift distance is long between 1-2, but nothing terrible.
Gas mileage varies between gas type and driving type. Under perfect highway conditions I pulled 45mpg off a tank. 45 mpg!! Driving sporty … will bring that as low as 32 on the highway but can settle as high as 37-38 as long as you are driving below 65-70.
Adaptive cruise control makes long drives a breeze and with a manual you can even downshift and while the car is breaking and stay locked in to the cars automatic controls. The se manual didn’t come with blind spot detection which was a letdown but I purchased some mirrors that help.
Trunk space is tight, but the fact I can routinely pull 40mpg on a highway makes up for it. En-suite entertainment system for Toyota is useless as apple car play and android do everything needed.
Rear leg room is not for adults unless you are a shorter driver. I’m 6’ 2” and I drive just fine.
Interior Stitching is classy and exterior design is sleek and has definite curb appeal. Dual exhaust system makes this car look like high end cars compared to the standard exhaust pipes found in many models.
LDA (lane departure) works well but this car does not have LTA ( lane tracing) which some people may like. I tested a highlander for 3 weeks with LTA and it was a bit much anyways.
Overall my favorite feature of the car is the adaptive cruise control which keeps a very safe distance between cars and can also be adjusted, where the minimal distance, while aggressive, still feels safe enough while driving on the highway.
Great car for a single commuter or a couple with maybe only small kids.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, so we've included reviews for other years of the Corolla Hatchback since its last redesign.
Honda recently redesigned the Civic hatchback, with all-new styling inside and out, new in-car tech, and a decent array of standard and available driver aids. The Civic rides and handles better than most vehicles in this class, and the interior offers more space and feels a bit more premium than the Corolla's. It's louder than we would like, but as a whole the Civic is a pretty compelling compact.
Like the Civic, the Mazda 3 hatchback packs an interior that's both more spacious and more premium than the Corolla's, though the Mazda's interior isn't as cleverly designed. It drives well, though, with a more refined and sporty feel than other compacts, hatchback or not. The 3 offers more cargo space than the Corolla, though both offer less than the class leaders.
The Mini Cooper has always had a fun and charming personality, with solid driving dynamics backed up by a stylish design and a more premium interior than other compacts. We found the ride to be a bit stiff, but that's the price paid for sporty handling. The available four-door layout makes the Cooper more practical than its predecessors, though expect to pay a bit more for all that Mini charm.
It's refresh time for Toyota’s famous compact! The Corolla Hatchback was already a lovable small car, but a small cargo area and less-than-cuddly infotainment held it back in our rankings. Without a total redesign, Toyota can't do much about the cargo space, but the automaker can do something about the technology.
Beyond redesigned headlights and bumpers and the addition of the very blue Blue Crush Metallic and Inferno paint colors, the 2023 Corolla Hatchback gets an updated touchscreen with a host of new tricks and an upgrade to its suite of driver aids.
Is anything new under the Corolla Hatchback's hood?
This generation of Corolla Hatchback has only ever been available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission, and that doesn't change for 2023. Powertrains for the sedan have been shuffled a bit, and the hybrid model now offers all-wheel drive (thanks to an electric motor driving the rear wheels), but so far there's no sign that hybrid powertrains will come to the five-door Corolla. If you want a Corolla with AWD and a rear hatch, you'll sadly have to spring for the upcoming 300-horsepower GR Corolla.
What's new with the Corolla Hatchback's tech?
The Corolla Hatchback's 8-inch touchscreen has been comprehensively overhauled. Changes start with faster processor and sharper graphics and escalate quickly. You'll now get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, optional built-in navigation (previously lacking in the Corolla), and a new voice assistant that can do things like adjust the stereo volume and cabin temperature.
The 2023 Corolla Hatchback also gets the latest version of Toyota's safety suite. The Corolla already came with a pretty complete set of safety aids, including forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist and lane centering, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. Now, Toyota adds available park assist with automatic braking and available adaptive headlights.
Edmunds says
As much as we enjoy this generation of Corolla Hatchback, it's never been a class leader. Other hatchbacks offered more space, better tech and more upscale interiors. Toyota's 2023 upgrades to the hatch's technology features will definitely make it a more appealing car, but they won't be enough to let the Corolla oust the Honda Civic or Mazda 3 from the top spots in our rankings.
FAQ
Is the Toyota Corolla Hatchback a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Corolla Hatchback both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Corolla Hatchback gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 30 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Corolla Hatchback has 17.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback:
Revised front and rear styling
Updated touchscreen interface and advanced driver aids
Previously available manual transmission is discontinued
Part of the 12th Corolla generation introduced for 2019
To determine whether the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Corolla Hatchback. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Corolla Hatchback's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Corolla Hatchback gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 30 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Corolla Hatchback is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback?
The least-expensive 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,155.
Other versions include:
SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,155
XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $26,580
What are the different models of Toyota Corolla Hatchback?
If you're interested in the Toyota Corolla Hatchback, the next question is, which Corolla Hatchback model is right for you? Corolla Hatchback variants include SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Corolla Hatchback models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Edmunds says
