2021 Toyota Corolla
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2021 Toyota Corolla Review
- Long list of standard advanced safety features
- Easy-to-use controls
- Comfortable ride quality
- High fuel economy
- Slow acceleration
- Too much road noise on the highway
- Less rear headroom than most rivals
- New Apex Edition with sport suspension and available summer tires
- Android Auto compatibility is standard
- New rear-seat side airbags for Corolla sedan
- Automatic engine stop-start feature
- Part of the 12th Corolla generation introduced for 2020
Toyota redesigned the Corolla last year, giving this typically competent but dull small sedan a much-needed upgrade. The new Corolla gained a considerable amount of style without losing the high levels of comfort and efficiency it's known for.
Changes are few for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. The biggest one is the new Apex Edition. This trim level's upgraded suspension, as well as optional sticky summer performance tires, should liven up the Corolla's handling. Overall, the Corolla is worth considering alongside other top-rated rivals such as the Honda Civic, Kia Forte and Mazda 3.
Our verdict | |
The Toyota Corolla is a smart pick in the small sedan class. We give it high marks for its smooth ride comfort, high-quality interior, and comprehensive list of advanced safety features. Holding it back is a smaller-than-average trunk and slow acceleration. | |
How does the Corolla drive? | |
Acceleration is a bit underwhelming for the class (0-60 mph took 8.8 seconds in our testing), which means you'll likely be flooring the pedal when getting onto highways. Passing slower traffic requires a little extra planning and a heavy foot. Emergency braking performance is adequate, however, and braking force is easy to control for smooth stops. We tested the Corolla XSE, which is supposed to be the sporty trim level. Alas, we quickly discovered that it's not that sporty. It leans a lot when you go around turns, and its tires don't offer much grip. But as a routine daily driver, the Corolla does just fine. It's easy to maneuver around town, and the operation of its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is generally unobtrusive. | |
How comfortable is the Corolla? | |
The Corolla's ride quality is smooth over a variety of road surfaces, and the front seats are comfortable. Whether you're tall or small, there are enough adjustments and sufficient range within those adjustments to find your preferred position. We do prefer the cloth seats since they breathe better than the available simulated leather on hot days. Road noise is ever present. It gets so loud on the highway that you'll have to crank the stereo to overcome it. The engine sounds labored under hard acceleration, but the continuously variable transmission's simulated gear changes help reduce the droning sound that is otherwise typical for a CVT. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Corolla's interior benefits from a simple, easy-to-use layout. The controls are right where you want them and are logically grouped. The number of buttons is sensible, with just enough to be useful but not so many that it looks cluttered. It's also easy to get in and out of the car. Front passengers have plenty of room, and the driver has clear sight lines to both the front and rear. Seating for rear passengers is tighter, especially with regard to headroom. Adult occupants' heads might be close to the roof. The Honda Civic is better in this respect. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Toyota's recent infotainment systems have never managed to win us over, but this latest version is a marked improvement. That said, it's still not as intuitive or visually appealing as rival systems. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now both standard. Many advanced safety features are included as part of the standard Toyota Safety Sense suite, and almost all are well tuned to be as unobtrusive as possible. The lane departure warning system is the outlier, and it can be oversensitive and annoying with its frequent beeping. The adaptive cruise control is praiseworthy for its smooth braking and acceleration. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The Corolla has a slightly smaller trunk (13 cubic feet) than its primary competition. And it should still be enough for typical use. Unfortunately, the rear seatbacks don't fold flat with the trunk floor, which could complicate loading longer and bulkier cargo. Storage for personal items is also on the small side. There are just enough places for your phone and the like, but many competitors give you more. On the plus side, there seems to be ample space for infant and child safety seats. The clearly marked car seat anchors should help with installation. | |
How economical is the Corolla? | |
The EPA rating for the Corolla XSE with the 2.0-liter engine and CVT automatic (the car we tested) is 34 mpg in combined driving (31 city/38 highway). That's a strong showing from what is the most powerful engine in the Corolla lineup. On our 115-mile evaluation route, the Corolla easily exceeded that estimate, returning an impressive 40.2 mpg. The less powerful 1.8-liter engine is rated at 33 mpg combined. For the ultimate in mileage, check out the Corolla Hybrid. | |
Is the Corolla a good value? | |
The Corolla is competitive against the top entrants in the small sedan class. The cabin is upscale and is solidly put-together. Toyota's reputation for reliability figures into most shoppers' decisions, but there are other aspects to consider. You also get two years of free scheduled maintenance, which is unusual in this class. | |
Wildcard | |
The latest Corolla brings a fresh and modern style without unnecessary trinkets and vents. It's also more enjoyable to drive than before, but other sedans in the class are noticeably more entertaining. The overarching themes are capability and competence. The sleek and modern styling of this current generation makes the previous Corolla seem generic by comparison. The more aggressive body treatments for the XSE trim make it even more attractive. | |
Which Corolla does Edmunds recommend?
The Corolla is a model of affordability and efficiency. But for a small price increase over the base L or LE trim level, we'd take the SE trim. We like the more powerful engine and its longer list of standard features. It also gives you more flexibility for adding options.
Toyota Corolla models
The 2021 Corolla is offered in five main trim levels: the L, LE, XLE, SE and XSE. In addition, there's also the SE Nightshade and the new-for-2021 Apex Edition. All Corollas are front-wheel-drive.
Save as much as $3,595 with Edmunds
2021 Toyota Corolla pricing
in Ashburn, VA
LE
1.8L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$18,836
48 for sale in 20147
SE
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$20,921
32 for sale in 20147
SE Nightshade
2.0L 4cyl CVT
Edmunds Suggested Price$21,391
13 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Toyota Corolla.
Trending topics in reviews
- comfort
- appearance
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- safety
- technology
- acceleration
- spaciousness
- driving experience
- ride quality
- fuel efficiency
- sound system
- seats
- dashboard
- infotainment system
- transmission
- doors
- interior
- value
- handling & steering
- engine
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, The best Corolla in 20 years
Victor S,
L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
I just got a 2021 L model and being the most basic trim level I am very surprised how smooth and comfortable it is to drive it. I have had the 1997 & 2017 models before and I clearly notice they have improved its maneuverability, suspension is awesome compared to the previous years, comfortable seats and good control location, it also has a more quiet muffler (thing that I adore), and comparing to previous years you almost do not hear the gears change when speeding it up. Headlights at night work wonderful, good stereo more visibility with the back up camera. It will be my car for a long time
5/5 stars, Love the SE with SE package
Tracy Corolla SE,
SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Love the looks and the drive. Felt like driving the BMW 3 Series without the price tag. Bought it for my college son but wife and I loves it. Having a Sienna and an old LS400, we are used to full size cars but this one shows very well and fun to drive around town and even 2 to 3 hour drives. Longer than that, I would recommend a full size car.
5/5 stars, New 2021 Corolla
Ken Franck,
LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
A very beautiful sporty car. Have owned Corollas for the past 35 years. They are the most cost efficient reliable car on the road. Now finally very sporty also.
5/5 stars, Best corolla ever!!
al,
LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
Had my 2006 corolla LE for 15 years no issues. finally it was time for an upgrade and I made the right decision the new corolla LE with premiun package looks like a lexus!!
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Corolla safety features:
- Pre-Collision System
- Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
- Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist
- Warns if you are drifting out of your lane and corrects the steering if you don't respond in time.
- Automatic High Beams
- Activates high beams automatically on dark roads and deactivates them when the system detects an oncoming vehicle.
Toyota Corolla vs. the competition
2021 Toyota Corolla
2020 Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic
Just like the Corolla, the Civic has a roomy interior, many standard driver safety features, and a comfortable ride. The main advantage to picking the Civic is its stronger turbocharged engine. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Honda Civic.
Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 has the style and premium feel you'll find in sedans costing twice as much. Sporty handling is another high point for the Mazda. Compared to the Corolla, however, it lacks rear legroom and has lower fuel economy.
Toyota Corolla vs. Hyundai Elantra
Value has always been a strength of the Hyundai Elantra, and the current model is packed with features. You also get a longer warranty than you do with the Corolla. But in general the Elantra isn't as smooth and easy to drive.
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FAQ
Is the Toyota Corolla a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 Corolla both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. You probably care about Toyota Corolla fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Corolla gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg to 34 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Corolla has 13.1 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. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Toyota Corolla?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Toyota Corolla:
- New Apex Edition with sport suspension and available summer tires
- Android Auto compatibility is standard
- New rear-seat side airbags for Corolla sedan
- Automatic engine stop-start feature
- Part of the 12th Corolla generation introduced for 2020
Is the Toyota Corolla reliable?
To determine whether the Toyota Corolla is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Corolla. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Corolla's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Toyota Corolla is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 Corolla and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 Corolla is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Toyota Corolla?
The least-expensive 2021 Toyota Corolla is the 2021 Toyota Corolla L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $20,025.
Other versions include:
- LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $20,475
- SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,475
- L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $20,025
- XSE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,925
- SE Nightshade 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,175
- SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $23,175
- XLE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $24,425
- SE Apex Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $25,560
- SE Apex Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,170
- XSE Apex Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $28,310
What are the different models of Toyota Corolla?
If you're interested in the Toyota Corolla, the next question is, which Corolla model is right for you? Corolla variants include LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT), and XSE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Corolla models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more