Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Quick Drive: 2020 Toyota Corolla XSE

      Does the sedan follow the groove laid down by the hatchback?

    The redesigned Corolla Hatchback brought back something that was missing in the Corolla for a number of years; being somewhat interesting. With more expressive styling and a new platform that improves driving dynamics, the model has started to shed its image of being bland. But would this continue with the redesigned Corolla sedan? To find out, I spent a week in the top-line Corolla XSE.

    • The basic profile is unchanged from the previous Corolla sedan, but Toyota has done their best to make look a bit more exciting. On the XSE, this means a different front clip from other Corollas with the emblem moved to towards the cutline of the hood, a larger lower grille, and deep cuts for the bumper. The distinctive fang headlights are carried over from other Corollas. Around back, not much has changed aside from a new rear diffuser. The updated look does make the Corolla sedan have presence, but I prefer the hatchback in terms of overall looks.
    • One item that is shared between the sedan and hatchback is the dashboard. As I noted in my Corolla Hatchback review, the dash features a layered design, faux stitching, and infotainment screen mounted on top - measuring either seven or eight inches depending on the trim. I like that Toyota is taking chances with the design, but also retaining the excellent ergonomics it’s  known for.
    • My particular tester came with the larger eight-inch featuring the newest version of Entune. While I wish Toyota had done more to make the interface look more modern and feature colors that weren’t various shades of grey. But I cannot deny Toyota builds a system that anyone can quickly grasp thanks to the simple interface design, physical shortcut buttons to various features, and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Those with Android smartphones are left out in the cold.
    • Those sitting up front will have no complaints about space, seat adjustment, or comfort. In the back, legroom is about average for the class. But headroom for taller passengers comes up a bit short, especially when you have the optional moonroof.
    • Three powertrains are available in the Corolla; a 1.8L four in the L, LE, and XLE; 2.0L four for the SE and XSE; and a hybrid for the LE Hybrid.
    •  The 2.0L produces 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet. The XSE only gets a CVT transmission, while the SE has the choice between the CVT and a six-speed manual.
    • Performance is the same as with the Corolla SE I drove last year; decent around town and leaving stoplights, but really struggles when trying to get to higher speeds. A fair amount of engine noise does make it way inside when driving on the highway.
    • EPA fuel economy figures for the Corolla XSE are 31 City/38 City/34 Highway - lower than the Corolla SE hatchback (32/41/35). My average for the week landed around 33.4 mpg on a 60/40 mix of highway and city driving.
    • Handling is an improvement over the old Corolla as it feels slightly more lively with better control of body motions. But it cannot match the nimbleness of the hatchback. This likely comes down to the Corolla Hatchback being sold in the European market where a sportier ride is desired. The sedan sold in the U.S. is more attuned to providing a smooth ride.
    • The Corolla XSE for the most part is able to smooth over most bumps and imperfections, but the 18-inch wheels does mean some bumps do make their way inside. Road and wind noise is kept to acceptable levels.
    • There is one area that the Corolla XSE falters, value for money. With an as-tested price of $28,794, that puts you in the range of a well-equipped Mazda3 that not only offers more power, but has an interior that the Corolla cannot match. For only a couple grand less, a Kia Forte EX offers more equipment and a slightly larger back seat.
    • Toyota has improved the Corolla sedan to a point where most of the blandness doesn’t exist. I would have liked to seen Toyota take some of the handling magic used on the hatchback and place it into the sedan. But Toyota knows most buyers don’t really care about this. By taking the strengths and wrapping it up in a package that stands out, it will mean more people may check out the Corolla. But I would recommend sticking with one of the lower trims as they offer a slightly better bang your for your buck.

    Disclaimer: Toyota Provided the Corolla, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

    Year: 2020
    Make: Toyota
    Model: Corolla
    Trim: XSE
    Engine: 2.0L DOHC 16-Valve, Dual VVT-i
    Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, CVT
    Horsepower @ RPM: 169 @ 6,600
    Torque @ RPM: 151 @ 4,400
    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 31/38/34
    Curb Weight: 3,150 lbs
    Location of Manufacture: Toyota, Aichi, Japan
    Base Price: $25,450
    As Tested Price: $28,794 (Includes $930.00 Destination Charge)

    Options:
    Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL w/Clari-Fi - $1,715.00
    Adaptive Front Lighting System - $450.00
    Cargo Mat Package - $249.00

    Edited by William Maley


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    It starts from $19.6k, this one is fully loaded with bunch of options.

    You can load Trailblazer that starts at $19k up to $33k too

    image.thumb.png.10c393cd8d7a8488b09931057836f30d.png

    Edited by ykX
    • Sad 2
    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Yup, this is a shady "bait & switch" done by a lot of carmakers.  I highly doubt you will ever see a Trailblazer L ($19,990) on a dealer lot... that is available only in FWD, and only in white, like a deliberate fleet vehicle that is lumped in with the private owner versions.  What a sham.

    You can get the base Corolla in 4 bland colors, three more than the base Trailblazer.

    Chevy has done away with the Cruze, their former Corolla competitor, so the comparison is valid.

    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    That like a top of the line Corolla?  Seems into Camry territory.   I just can't imagine almost 30k for a generic compact FWD 4cyl sedan... 

    Edited by Robert Hall
    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    42 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

    That like a top of the line Corolla?  Seems into Camry territory.   I just can't imagine almost 30k for a generic compact FWD 4cyl sedan... 

    In a 25 mile radius from my zip code there are 370 brand new Corollas with only about twenty priced above $25k with maximum around $28k.  The majority of Corollas are sold closer to $20k.

    BTW within same range there are Traxes sold at over $30k.  There are 301 brand new Traxes and I see almost 90 of them priced over $25k.  That's IMO is ridiculous,

    Edited by ykX
    • Agree 4
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    6 minutes ago, ykX said:

    In a 25 mile radius from my zip code there are 370 brand new Corollas with only about twenty priced above $25k with maximum around $28k.  The majority of Corollas are sold closer to $20k.

    BTW within same range there are Traxes sold at over $30k.  There are 301 brand new Traxes and I see almost 90 of them priced over $25k.  That's IMO is ridiculous,

    When I went to the auto show a month ago or so the Trax was $31k, the Equinox $41k, the Blazer $51k....madness...

    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    A. These are sticker prices; no one gets sticker (other than the C8).
    B. ALL top trims of ALL vehicles are stickered at mad levels. We sometimes talk here like it’s only GM for some reason.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I actually like the profile of the new Corolla, but it starts to be much less of a value when it is optioned to the moon, Alice.

    3 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

    Trax was $31k,

    Well they've done away with the Premier model for the '21 model year, it is just LS and LT, and the high end options are gone (no sunroof or Bose radio).  Trying to keep the average MSRP lower than the Trailblazer I guess, even though Trax starts at $21k + (base LS has alloys now, Trailblazer L has wheel covers) and Trailblazer starts at $19,900, the average MSRP will be much higher in a TB than a '21 Trax.  The low starting price for the Trailblazer is an advertising gimmick... a unicorn it will be.

     

     

    Edited by ocnblu
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    2 hours ago, daves87rs said:

    30k for a compact car...ow.

    The sad part is is that the CUV equivalent of a Corolla (better known as a RAV-4)  would sell for five grand MORE if similarly equipped.  Corolla should be max out at $25k, not $30K MSRP.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    24 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

    The sad part is is that the CUV equivalent of a Corolla (better known as a RAV-4)  would sell for five grand MORE if similarly equipped.  Corolla should be max out at $25k, not $30K MSRP.

    The highest priced RAV4 trims are stickered now in the low $40k range, for a Limited Highbird or TRD Off-Road.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    34 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

    The highest priced RAV4 trims are stickered now in the low $40k range, for a Limited Highbird or TRD Off-Road.

    Whoa.  I am shocked, but not surprised these days.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    2 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

    Whoa.  I am shocked, but not surprised these days.

    Yeah it's been promoted.  They need another AWD CUV below it now, size of the original RAV.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    2 hours ago, riviera74 said:

    The sad part is is that the CUV equivalent of a Corolla (better known as a RAV-4)  would sell for five grand MORE if similarly equipped.  Corolla should be max out at $25k, not $30K MSRP.

    Totally agree.....

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    All new cars are really expensive.  You could pick up a 3 year old Lexus for the price of the Corolla.  But people don't always shop price, they shop monthly payment, so that is where the finance people get creative.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    23 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    Yeah it's been promoted.  They need another AWD CUV below it now, size of the original RAV.

    They have the C-HR, but it doesn’t look very practical as a CUV. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    8 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

    They have the C-HR, but it doesn’t look very practical as a CUV. 

    Nope, that's why I put "AWD" in my comment.  C-HR is FWD only and it's like riding in an iron lung, no visibility, no power.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    On 3/20/2020 at 2:43 PM, Robert Hall said:

    When I went to the auto show a month ago or so the Trax was $31k, the Equinox $41k, the Blazer $51k....madness...

    at the auto show was a new Encore GX, almost 38 grand.  Loaded sure. But wow, about 10 grand too high IMO.

    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    14 hours ago, regfootball said:

    at the auto show was a new Encore GX, almost 38 grand.  Loaded sure. But wow, about 10 grand too high IMO.

    38k for  a 3cyl econobox.  Insane times.

    • Sad 1
    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    On 5/14/2020 at 9:31 AM, riviera74 said:

    A relatively CHEAP 4Runner these days.  Starting MSRP is just over $36K.

    yeah, but it is a cult vehicle with seemingly infinite resale, will go anywhere, has a fantastic group of enthusiasts that love it...were I to get an SUV, I think it would be a 4 runner. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    26 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    yeah, but it is a cult vehicle with seemingly infinite resale, will go anywhere, has a fantastic group of enthusiasts that love it...were I to get an SUV, I think it would be a 4 runner. 

    The 4Runner is quite capable, but it's so dated and ugly inside and out...I wouldn't get one over a Jeep GC (though the Toyota would likely be more reliable over 100k miles). 

    Edited by Robert Hall
    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • Community Hive Community Hive

    Community Hive allows you to follow your favorite communities all in one place.

    Follow on Community Hive
  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Those use cases will necessitate the purchase of something with a long range, like 300+. But even still, two hours at 11.5kW would put 50 - 70 miles of range back in the car. You might need to make one 10-minute DCFC stop if you had a really busy day, but otherwise, you could make it.
    • I can understand this, but then this is part of my daily life. With two kids with their own families and grandkids it is not uncommon for us to be out and about for the day, come home for a bit before heading out to help with the grandkids and their afterschool activities. Plus, with family that is living from both sides north and south of us, it would not be uncommon to drive 75 miles down south to deal with my wife's side of the family, see the nieces/nephews and then up north to my side to see folks and with both our parents in senior years with health issues, also moving back in forth. Course this is why Sun puts on about 15,000 miles a year on the SS. We all have different use cases.
    • That's all I'm worried about. I'm not going to spend a sht ton more money having a 19.2kW charger installed for the 1 day every 3 years I empty the battery, get home for 2 hours, and have to again drive enough that I couldn't make it back home...  
    • I could see settling on three charger rates, but definitely not one. A Bolt or Kia EV4 type vehicle simply does not need 19kW home charging.  It would be an excessive cost to retrofit a house and the number of buyers who actually use that rate would be pretty close to zero.  That would be like insisting that the Corolla has to have a 6.2 liter. It's excessive and doesn't fit the use case. Now, if we settled into 7.5kW, 11.5kW, and 19.4kW as a standard, that would probably achieve what you are proposing while still giving cost flexibility.  It would allow for entry-level EVs to get the lower cost / lower speed charger while allowing the larger vehicles or premium vehicles to have faster home charging.  For example, the EV6 could have a lower cost 7.5kW charger while the Genesis GV60 on the same platform could get the 11.5kW charger because it is a premium brand and higher cost vehicle.  Then any large EV with or near a 200kW battery could have the 19.4kW charger, but even then, unless it is a newly built house or a commercial fleet, it will still probably charge only at 11.5kW, as that's about the max that the vast majority of homes are wired to do.  Unless you're driving an EV with a 200kW battery to 10% every day, an 11.5kW charger can "fill" an EV to 80% overnight with room to spare, so most people (including me), won't want the extra expense of spending extra money just to say my EV charged faster while I slept.  Either way, it will be ready for me when I need to leave at 7 am.
    • @ccap41 @Drew Dowdell Thank you both, this is the kind of dialogue I feel the Auto buyers need to be made aware of and the various use cases in understanding as I feel most DO NOT really understand this and give into the FEAR Mongering of News Stories. While I still feel that everyone should have the same charging rate capabilities, I also understand both your points. I do feel that this will change electrical across the WORLD over time due to the need of charging.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search

Change privacy settings