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Trim level differences

The 2021 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available in three trim levels: SE, SE Nightshade and XSE. There's also a Special Edition package that's based on the SE trim. All Corolla hatchbacks are powered by a 168-horsepower four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is typically standard but you can get the SE and XSE trims with a six-speed manual transmission. Feature highlights include:

SE
The base SE comes fairly well equipped with:

  • LED headlights
  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Automatic climate control
  • Keyless entry with push-button ignition
  • Two USB ports
  • 8-inch touchscreen display
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
  • 60/40-split folding rear seat

All Corolla hatchbacks also come with a suite of safety features and driver aids (Toyota Safety Sense 2.0). It includes:

  • Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
  • Lane keeping assist (steers the Corolla back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
  • Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)

Options on the SE include:

  • Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot and warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your path while in reverse)
  • Special Edition package that adds 18-inch wheels, special red paint and an aerodynamic body kit

SE Nightshade
As the name implies, the SE Nightshade is a dark-trimmed take on the standard SE. Features mirror those on the SE but with changes such as black-painted wheels.

XSE
The top-level XSE starts with all of the SE's standard features, adding:

  • LED foglights
  • 18-inch wheels
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • 7-inch multi-function display in the instrument cluster
  • Leather and fabric seats with a power-adjustable driver's seat
  • Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

Options on the XSE include:

  • Wireless charging pad
  • Upgraded infotainment system with integrated navigation and JBL audio system

Which Corolla Hatchback trim does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest going with the top-level XSE model with the continuously variable automatic transmission. Yes, it's the most expensive version in the lineup, but features including dual-zone automatic climate control and a power-adjustable driver's seat make it worth the premium.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
West Lafayette, IN
Vehicle
Corolla Hatchback SE
Corolla Hatchback SE Nightshade Edition
Corolla Hatchback XSE
Vehicle
SE
2.0L 4cyl 6M
See all Corolla Hatchback SE for sale
SE Nightshade Edition
2.0L 4cyl CVT
See all Corolla Hatchback SE Nightshade Edition for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
standard
standard
standard
Parking assistance
Not available
Not available
Not available
Upholstery
cloth
cloth
leather/cloth
Heated seats
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not available
Not available
Not available
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
Engine power
168 hp @ 6,600 rpm
168 hp @ 6,600 rpm
168 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Engine torque
151 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
151 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
151 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
6-speed manual
continuously variable-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Tire size
205/55R16
225/40R18
225/40R18
Wheel size
Wheel type
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
28 / 37 / 31 MPG
32 / 41 / 35 MPG
28 / 37 / 31 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
13.2 gal.
13.2 gal.
13.2 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
370 / 488 miles
422 / 541 miles
370 / 488 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
N/A
N/A
N/A
Curb weight
3,060 lb.
3,060 lb.
3,060 lb.
Ground Clearance
5.1 in.
5.1 in.
5.1 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
70.5 in.
70.5 in.
70.5 in.
Height
57.1 in.
57.1 in.
57.1 in.
Length
172.0 in.
172.0 in.
172.0 in.
Wheelbase
103.9 in.
103.9 in.
103.9 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
17.8 cu. ft.
17.8 cu. ft.
17.8 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
Front Leg Room
42.0 in.
42.0 in.
42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room
53.9 in.
53.9 in.
53.9 in.
Rear Head Room
37.6 in.
37.6 in.
37.6 in.
Rear Leg Room
29.9 in.
29.9 in.
29.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
54.5 in.
54.5 in.
54.5 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$36,650
$34,089
$35,804
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.49
$0.45
$0.48
Depreciation
$9,507
$9,017
$8,853
Financing
$3,746
$3,837
$4,021
Taxes & Fees
$1,819
$1,861
$1,950
Fuel
$8,222
$7,288
$8,222
Insurance
$4,401
$3,572
$3,572
Maintenance
$6,771
$6,330
$7,002
Repairs
$2,184
$2,184
$2,184
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Black, cloth
Moonstone, cloth
Black, cloth
Moonstone, leather/cloth
Black, leather/cloth
Exterior
Classic Silver Metallic
Blue Flame
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Galactic Aqua Mica
Wind Chill Pearl w/Black Roof
Blue Flame w/Black Roof
Magnetic Gray Metallic w/Black Roof
Classic Silver Metallic w/Black Roof
Midnight Black Metallic
Supersonic Red
Wind Chill Pearl
Classic Silver Metallic
Super White
Midnight Black Metallic
Classic Silver Metallic
Blue Flame
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Galactic Aqua Mica
Wind Chill Pearl w/Black Roof
Blue Flame w/Black Roof
Magnetic Gray Metallic w/Black Roof
Classic Silver Metallic w/Black Roof
Midnight Black Metallic
Supersonic Red
Wind Chill Pearl