2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Review

American car shoppers have traditionally shown a tepid interest in small hatchbacks, especially since small crossover SUVs have become so popular. So it might come as a bit of a surprise to learn that Toyota has decided to kick off its newest Corolla generation in this unloved body style. The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is all-new, while its sedan sibling carries forward on previous-generation hardware. (An updated sedan is due for the 2020 model year.)

Improvements this year include edgy styling, a well-appointed interior and surprisingly enjoyable performance. A 7.8-second 0-60 mph time shows the Corolla is packing heat this time around, too — the outgoing Corolla sedan took a lethargic 10 seconds to make the same run. And as is the case with most Toyotas now, a healthy complement of advanced driver safety features, including forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control, come standard.

Our main concern relates to something you wouldn't typically expect to be an issue: utility. The Corolla Hatchback's cargo area is only slightly larger than the sedan's, and rival hatchbacks offer up to 50 percent more capacity. But on the whole, this new Corolla is a strong contender.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a four-door hatchback with seating for five. It's available in two trims: the fairly well-equipped SE and the more luxurious XSE. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (168 horsepower, 151 pound-feet of torque) that drives the front wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on both trims, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional.

Standard equipment for the SE includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated mirrors, a driver information display, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40-split folding rear bench, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, voice controls, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system with two USB ports and Apple CarPlay.

Standard safety features include Toyota Safety Connect emergency communications, automatic high-beam control, adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning system (with pedestrian and cyclist detection plus automatic emergency braking), and lane keeping assist.

SE models with the CVT automatic also get steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, lane centering assist, and a version of the adaptive cruise control system that can bring the Corolla to a complete stop (the manual-equipped version deactivates at low speeds). Selecting the CVT automatic also opens the door to the SE Preferred package, which adds a blind-spot monitor, HD and satellite radio, and Toyota's Entune app services.

Compared to the SE, the XSE adds 18-inch wheels, LED foglights, a chrome grille, an upgraded driver information display, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, leather upholstery with cloth inserts, HD and satellite radio, and Toyota's Entune app services.

Models equipped with the CVT automatic also get the blind-spot monitor. The CVT automatic's optional XSE Preferred package further adds a wireless charging pad, a navigation system and an eight-speaker JBL premium audio system. This package can be ordered with or without adaptive headlights.