2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

　　

2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Toyota Corolla Hatchback has been a solid, if somewhat uninspiring, compact hatchback since its debut in 2019. There's a lot to like, but it's never been particularly a standout in its class. For 2023, the Corolla Hatchback gets a number of updates, including redesigned headlights and bumpers and improved in-car tech and driver aids, that should add a bit to the Corolla Hatchback's appeal.

　　Starting things off is a new infotainment system for the 8-inch center touchscreen. Changes start with a quicker processor and sharper-looking graphics. You'll now get wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and an improved voice control system that allows you to do more things, such as adjust the stereo volume and cabin temperature. The 2023 Corolla Hatchback also gets the latest version of Toyota's safety suite called Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Toyota says that many of the included systems, such as forward collision warning and lane keeping assistance, have been improved to provide better detection and functionality.

　　Overall, we think the updated Corolla Hatchback is a solid pick. But you might want to also check out the Honda Civic hatchback and Mazda 3 hatchback. The Civic is roomier on the inside than the Corolla, and the Mazda 3 is more upscale and offers available all-wheel drive and turbocharged power.

　　

Which Corolla Hatchback does zzdcar recommend?

While we don't always recommend a vehicle's top trim, we think the XSE trim is the best of the Corolla Hatchback's two available trims. The base model is a bit thin on creature comforts compared to the XSE, so we think the step up in price is worth it.

　　

Toyota Corolla Hatchback models

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is available in two trim levels: SE and XSE. Last year's Nightshade appearance package has been dropped from the lineup, though some of its features are available as options. The manual transmission is no longer available, meaning all Corolla Hatchbacks now use a 168-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, that drives the front wheels. Feature highlights for the SE and XSE include:

　　SE

　　Comes with a decent list of standard features, including:

　　16-inch alloy wheels LED headlights and taillights Heated power mirrors Automatic climate control Keyless entry with push-button engine start Fabric seat upholstery Manually adjustable driver's seat 60/40-split folding rear seat Two USB ports 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (both with wireless connectivity) Satellite radio Connected services including a Wi-Fi hotspotFor 2023, Toyota has updated the Corolla Hatchback's driver aid suite. All Corolla Hatchbacks now come with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 that includes:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also react to speed limit signs) Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Automatic high-beam headlightsThere are a few available options, including:

　　Black-painted grille, mirrors, antenna, rear spoiler and roof SE Premium package Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) XSE

　　The top-level XSE trim includes all of the base model's features, adding:

　　18-inch alloy wheels LED foglights Dual-zone automatic climate control Bigger driver information display in the instrument cluster Simulated leather seats with fabric inserts Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Wireless charging pad Upgraded JBL sound system Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning

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