2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　

What's new

Redesigned Corolla debuts in a new hatchback body styleImproved interior design and materialsStandard Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa connectivityPart of the 12th Corolla generation introduced for 2019

　　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.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.4 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE (2.0L inline-4 | 6-speed manual | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.4 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	6.0
Technology	7.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　It's hard to remember the last time we had fun driving a Corolla, and this new hatchback has us crossing our fingers that this is not an anomaly. Power is adequate, while braking, steering and handling are surprisingly good. The only disappointment here is the manual transmission's vague clutch pedal feel.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　Power isn't overwhelming, but the smooth-revving engine is fun and willing to pull right to redline every time. The distinct lack of low-end torque makes quick getaways difficult. In zzdcar testing, our Corolla Hatchback test car accelerated from 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　The brake pedal makes smooth stops a breeze thanks to the right amount of pedal stroke and decent feel. Panic braking from 60 mph in our testing revealed good consistency and a stopping distance of about 125 feet.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　The steering doesn't provide a lot of feel, but its weighting is spot-on. The steering response is quick and accurate, too. Overall, the Corolla Hatchback makes a sporty initial impression.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　The Corolla's suspension is well-tuned. On a twisty road, it's surprisingly fun and engaging to drive. Tire grip is ultimately modest. But with better tires and a limited-slip differential, it would be an exceptionally fun handler.

　　

Drivability

5.5

　　It's nearly impossible to pull away from a stop smoothly because of the slow clutch and throttle calibration. The best way to be smooth is to shift quickly. The shifter lever is quick but also slightly loose and notchy.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　One of the surprises of this new Corolla is how well the suspension strikes a balance between comfort and composure. It also benefits from a smooth engine, comfortable seats and a relatively quiet interior.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The heated front seats of the XSE will appeal to a variety of drivers. They are fairly comfortable even on long journeys. There's even a decent amount of support for enthusiastic driving. The rear seats are firm but not overly so, and the seatback angle is agreeable.

　　

Ride comfort

8.5

　　The 18-inch wheels of the Corolla Hatchback XSE can make the ride quality choppy on rough roads, but overall the ride is surprisingly supple. It feels a tick soft when driving over freeway undulations, but the body stays well under control. There's suitable composure when you're driving hard.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　Overall, the Corolla Hatchback is pretty quiet. The engine is smooth and doesn't provide any untoward vibrations at higher revs. The side windows are the source of the only wind noise, which intrudes into the cabin at higher speeds. The tires can get pretty noisy on coarse surfaces.

　　

Climate control

7.5

　　The little buttons are a bit difficult to press without a second glance. That said, the climate control unit is very space-efficient and certainly does its part to make the interior look more upscale. Airflow is good for all passengers.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The Corolla's interior should appeal to a wide variety of drivers. Its controls can be figured out quickly, and the easy outward visibility inspires driver confidence. But the somewhat small back seat brings the scoring down a little.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　Though it might take a minute to decipher the new-for-Toyota button arrangement, the interior quickly makes sense. The climate control buttons are a bit crowded, and the infotainment buttons are a bit small. Instrumentation is clear but could use more information in its digital display.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.5

　　There's ample access to the front seats thanks to a large door opening. The seat height makes getting in and out a breeze. Taller rear-seat passengers will need to watch their heads. The compact nature of the Corolla means the rear door opening isn't anywhere near as generous as the front's.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　Adjustments can be made quickly. Drivers of varying sizes will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel. There's a decent amount of adjustment from the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, too.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　Front passengers have more than enough room all around, but taller occupants will steal most of the legroom from rear-seat passengers. There's ample shoulder room in the rear, and the back of the front seats are cut away to allow for a bit more rear-seat knee room. Even so, taller passengers will still be cramped.

　　

Visibility

8.5

　　As you'd expect from a small hatchback, there's great visibility in every direction. A low hoodline aids forward visibility while plenty of side glass makes lane changes stress-free. The rear headrests can block the already small-ish rear window, but the headrests can be removed when not in use.

　　

Quality

7.5

　　In XSE trim, the Corolla Hatchback is trimmed with simulated leather and contrasting stitching on the seats and dashboard. Panel fit is good, and the climate controls and touchscreen go a long way toward pushing the interior upmarket.

　　

Utility

6.0

　　A small and practical hatchback can be a surprisingly versatile car, assuming its cargo area is large enough. But the Corolla's cargo space is spoiled by a high floor. Also, the interior doesn't offer many clever solutions to modern storage needs.

　　

Small-item storage

6.5

　　The door pockets and cupholders provide decent room for a small assortment of items. In front of the shift lever, there's a shelf that looks to be for a smartphone, but it's not really big enough to hold one. The center console bin is also a bit small and awkward to reach into.

　　

Cargo space

5.5

　　An almost comically high load floor takes much of the practicality out of this hatchback. With the seats up, the cargo space is short and shallow, amounting to only 17.8 cubic feet. For comparison, competitors such as the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Elantra GT offer more.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

　　The LATCH anchors are protected by plastic covers and are easily accessible at the base of the outboard rear seats. Large rear-facing infant car seats might necessitate moving the front seats forward, but a parent's access to the back seats is good.

　　

Technology

7.0

　　Apple CarPlay is finally here and allows you to escape the pitfalls of Toyota's Entune system. However, Android customers will still have to deal with this comprehensively unloved in-house interface. The voice controls do work well once you set them up. Toyota's full complement of standard active safety and driver convenience aids are also here.

　　

Audio & navigation

5.0

　　Toyota's Entune system continues to frustrate. Even with the high-mounted 8-inch screen, the layout, various speed-related lockouts, and the lack of a native navigation system for cars equipped with a manual transmission make for a frustrating experience. The decent audio system helps, but other cars do this much better.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.0

　　There's one USB port under the dash for Apple CarPlay connection. Bluetooth connectivity is standard, and Amazon Alexa is also supported. Android users are out of luck and will be forced to download a proprietary navigation app for any route guidance.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　The Corolla hatch comes standard with automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, auto high-beam control, lane keeping assistance and more. If you opt for the CVT automatic, you also get lane centering assistance and an upgraded adaptive cruise that can bring the car down to a full stop.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　The voice recognition system is reasonably accurate so long as you follow the tutorial and set up the system to recognize your voice. It can be a bit time-consuming. But once this process is completed, commands are usually identified correctly.

　　

Which Corolla Hatchback does zzdcar recommend?

　　We think the CVT automatic-equipped SE with Preferred package is a good combo with lots of features and a low out-the-door cost. However, the XSE is only slightly more expensive, and its larger wheels and wider tires make it the driver's choice in the lineup. Heated front seats and dual-zone climate control make it a little more pleasant for occupants, too.

　　

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback models

　　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.

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2019 Corolla Hatchback Highlights

Trim: SEXSESE

　　

Base MSRP	$20,140
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$119/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles