2021 Toyota Corolla vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 model was part of the 12th-generation Corolla, which was considered one of the most attractive in recent history. The SE and XSE trims added sporty design elements like sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a body kit, twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Celestite Gray metallic paint with a blue undertone made the Corolla genuinely appealing. However, some design aspects, such as the hood shut line and over-styled rear bumper, were less favorable. The Apex Edition amplified these stranger design elements. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE trims offered a more anonymous look, while the Corolla Hybrid provided an affordable path to 50+ mpg.

The 2022 model continued the trend of extroverted exterior styling with scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. The SE and XSE trims featured an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim. The Apex Editions included a body kit with bronze accents and model-specific 18-inch wheels. The Cement (gray) SE Apex Edition test car had a noticeable presence, aiming to make the Corolla more than just basic transportation. The interior was less imaginative but had a simple, appealing look. The fit and finish were up to Toyota standards, but the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition's interior was essentially the same as the standard SE, with light gray upholstery that seemed prone to stains.

The 2021 Corolla SE and XSE were equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine paired with a Dynamic Shift CVT, paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode. A six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev-matching was available for an extra $200. The Dynamic Shift CVT used a mechanical first gear to eliminate drivetrain slip, and its ten programmed ratios helped hide typical CVT traits. The Corolla sat on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, featuring electric steering, vented front and solid disc rear brakes, and a MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear suspension. The SE and XSE had 18-inch aluminum wheels and 225/40 all-season tires. The XSE demonstrated predictable handling characteristics, making it a competent compact car similar to a Honda Civic or Mazda3. The EPA estimated 34 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing averaged 31.1 mpg.

The 2022 Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE trims had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque. The SE and XSE trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Apex Edition versions had the same engine with a sport exhaust system. The 2.0-liter engine was available with a six-speed manual gearbox on SE and SE Apex Edition models. The Apex Edition had a model-specific suspension, including unique coil springs, solid stabilizer bars, and an increased spring rate, making it more nimble but affecting ride quality. The Apex Edition was fun in corners but lacked power for quick acceleration. The standard Corolla was comfortable but not particularly exciting. The Volkswagen Jetta was a better choice for a comfortable commuter car.

The 2021 Corolla XSE trim offered numerous upgrades, including SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment. This feature provided added comfort and a commanding driving position. The rear seat cushions offered good support but had tight headroom and legroom, with no air conditioning vents for rear passengers. The trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors but more than others. The Corolla hatchback offered 17.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

The 2022 Corolla felt decently roomy, with a low beltline aiding outward visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard made it hard to see the end of the hood. The driver’s seat was lowered and moved rearward, but long-legged drivers might still find a lack of knee space. The front and rear seat cushions felt squishy and not supportive. The sedan’s 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space was behind competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders. The angled phone tray was too small and oddly shaped to be useful.

The 2021 Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Every 2021 Corolla also had a free year of Safety Connect services and free access to a Wi-Fi hotspot for three months or 2GB of data use. The SE had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE benefited from Service Connect and Remote Connect. The SE and XSE offered a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, with dynamic voice recognition, dynamic navigation, and Destination Assist exclusive to the XSE. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for radio volume and tuning and physical shortcut buttons. The dynamic voice recognition was accurate, but the radio knobs could be hard to grasp, and the JBL sound system lacked clarity.

The 2022 Corolla’s infotainment system was starting to fall behind. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the L base model, while other trims got an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available on the XSE and XLE, as well as CVT-equipped SE models. The interface was easy to use, with analog climate controls, but some tasks were harder to accomplish compared to other automakers’ systems. The graphics looked dated, and there were no wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Corolla also lacked novel features like the Hyundai Elantra’s Digital Key.

The 2021 Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning were added. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had some quirks, but overall, the technology performed well. The 2020 Corolla earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 model needed re-testing due to the addition of new airbags.

The 2022 Corolla sedan and hatchback received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” award, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests but lower ratings for headlights. The NHTSA gave the 2022 models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. The Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard on all trims.