2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review

　　

2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Corolla Hybrid returns after last year's grand debut, equipped with the hybrid powertrain from the Prius to bring extra efficiency to Toyota's popular small sedan. How much efficiency? How does 52 mpg in combined city/highway driving sound? That's one of the highest figures you'll find. For 2021, the Corolla Hybrid is functionally the same, though it now comes with Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 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 $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$72/mo  for Corolla Hybrid LE

　　Corolla Hybrid LE

　　LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $23,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This is the least expensive hybrid vehicle in Toyota's lineup and consequently lacks some of the nicer features found in its Prius and Toyota Camry Hybrid relatives. But it delivers exceptional fuel economy and offers you an alternative to the Honda Insight, which is Corolla Hybrid's most comparable rival. Consider the Corolla Hybrid a strong option for affordable and economical transportation.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Corolla Hybrid drive? The Corolla Hybrid provides respectable power and smoothness during low-speed acceleration. You won't have any trouble keeping pace with city traffic. Acceleration is somewhat lacking once you're trying to get to freeway speeds quickly (0-60 mph took a slow 10 seconds in our testing), but that's typical for fuel-sipping cars like this one.

　　Around turns, the Corolla Hybrid is stable, though the economy-biased tires don't offer up much grip. The main drawback is an abrupt and grabby brake pedal feel at low speeds. It's more of an annoyance than anything else, but it makes the hybrid hard to stop smoothly.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Corolla Hybrid? The Corolla Hybrid's ride quality is well controlled. It's smooth without being overly isolating or floaty. Less appealing are the front seats. They feel cushy when you first sit on them, but they lack the support and adjustability needed to make long drives tolerable. As for noise, the hybrid is generally quiet, though the engine can sound unpleasant when you get hard on the gas.

　　Owing to the hybrid's fuel-conscious intentions, the climate control system offers an Eco setting that improves efficiency. You can use this setting for temperate days, but you'll want to switch it off if you are dealing with truly hot or cold days. Otherwise, the system just can't keep up.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Corolla's interior isn't fancy but it's thoughtfully designed. The main controls are clearly labeled and easy to find without taking your eyes off the road. We also like the driving position. The sight lines are clear to the instruments as well as to the front, rear and sides.

　　While the front seats have plenty of space, the rear is more restricted, especially with regard to headroom. Taller adults will have to duck while getting in and out, and they'll find their heads close to the roof when seated.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The main infotainment display is adequate but lacks navigation and arbitrarily locks out certain features when you're moving, which is a source of constant frustration. Apple CarPlay is supported and works as expected, and Android Auto connectivity comes standard too. Toyota's Entune app is a poor substitute when it comes to features and functionality. The integrated voice controls are effective in understanding most commands, though you still need to navigate through prompts to accomplish tasks. You're better off with your phone.

　　Standard safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, are impressive for the price. Alas, this system isn't smooth at low speeds, so you won't want to use it in stop-and-go traffic.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Storage options are average overall, and you can find more accommodating cars for the money. The rear seats fold easily but not flat. Instead, they create a shelf of sorts that partitions the trunk from the cabin. This feature could be helpful for securing items that fit, but it could be annoying if you want a flat loading surface. The center console compartments can handle a phone and wallet or small purse but not much else.

　　Fitting child safety seats in the rear is easy thanks to visible and easily accessible lower car seat anchors underneath plastic flaps. The upper tethers are easy to find too.

　　

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the Corolla Hybrid at a combined 52 mpg, which matches the fuel economy of the main versions of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. During our 117-mile evaluation route, which covers highway, country roads and city streets, our test car returned 58 mpg.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Corolla Hybrid a good value? The Corolla Hybrid delivers a lot of value because of its low pricing and respectable number of standard features. Most of the interior looks and feels appropriate for the price, but the overall design appears a bit higher-class. On top of that, you get two years of free maintenance and roadside assistance without a mileage restriction.

　　If you're content with the base car's offerings, you'll be happy. But there are no additional trim levels or options, so those seeking quality-of-life upgrades — such as premium sound, leather or superior phone connectivity — will need to look elsewhere because the Corolla Hybrid is only offered in the LE grade.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　Handsome exterior styling helps the new Corolla break away from the boring look and feel of previous versions. Still, you can't help but feel like you're driving an appliance. The Corolla Hybrid dutifully tackles the daily grind without complaint. Alas, the characteristic hybrid drone of the engine at high speeds, the light steering feel, and the ho-hum acceleration ensure there's simply nothing to enjoy about the experience of driving.

　　

Which Corolla Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

You only have one choice in the 2021 Corolla Hybrid, and it's the LE trim. This is a pretty basic package, and we would add the optional blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert for additional protection. Aside from that, pick your paint color and interior color and you're on your way.

　　

2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid models

Every 2021 Corolla Hybrid that rolls off the factory floor is functionally the same. Toyota combines a small gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor for increased efficiency. A continuously variable automatic transmission connects to the front-wheel-drive system. The sole trim is the LE. It comes with the following:

　　LE

　　Starts you off with:

　　Hybrid powertrain with 121 horsepower 15-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Heated side mirrors Four-way manually adjustable front seats Automatic climate controlTechnology and safety equipment includes:

　　8-inch central touchscreen Six-speaker sound system Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility In-car Wi-Fi hotspot Auxiliary audio jack and USB port Voice recognition Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (a suite of advanced driver safety aids such as forward collision warning that can help reduce the chance of an accident)The Corolla's only major optional feature is blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot).

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2021 Corolla Hybrid Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$23,600
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	52 MPG
Cost to Drive	$72/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles