2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Available only as a single trim, the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE has an MSRP of $23,100 excluding tax, licensing, registration, and a $930 destination charge. The only additional costs to consider are the $395 added if selecting the Blizzard Pearl exterior paint option.

The Corolla Hybrid may be part of a new generation of Corolla that's more exciting to drive than vanilla efforts of the past, but skinny tires and an eco-focus don't exactly do wonders for enthusiastic driving dynamics. Instead, it feels more relaxed and almost a bit floaty in comparison. The ride is very comfortable though, and a faint glimmer of excitement can be found in the three available driving modes. With a pick of either Eco, Normal, or Sport modes, throttle responses are tuned electronically, with Sport mode offering delayed simulated upshifts to gain more power from available torque.

The overall driving characteristics of the Hybrid LE are quite pleasant, comfortable, pliant, and responsive enough to enjoy, while still being easy enough to use regardless of whether you're going on vacation of running to the mall, although it is ideally suited for the city environment. The 15-inch wheels and eco-tires do give off quite a bit of road noise, but Toyota has made large enough improvements to cabin insulation to make it more than bearable.

Based on arguably the most exciting Corolla in decades the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an interesting, yet welcome, entry to the segment. But featuring an identical powertrain and mileage estimates to those of the Prius; it begs the question, does Toyota actually need both? The short answer is no because with the introduction of the Corolla Hybrid, Toyota has killed the Prius. Now you can finally have a frugal, reliable Toyota that's packed with safety and convenience features, and importantly doesn't have looks that only a mother could love. The Corolla Hybrid offers a conventionally stylish cabin, well-appointed and spacious enough for most families, with enticing driving dynamics, and all the mod-cons one might need. Simply put, the Corolla Hybrid may just be the best compact hybrid money can buy.

The Corolla Hybrid comes in one trim only, namely the Hybrid LE. What that translates to for prospective buyers is a well-specced, mid-range Corolla with the benefits of extensive standard safety features and the exclusive Hybrid powertrain. It cannot be customized through additional feature packages, however, with Toyota instead opting to condense a broad selection of features across the non-hybrid range, into this single model. Accessories that can be added include the Body Protection option (costing $467), removable cross-bars (for $299), and various cargo enhancements.

The Corolla Hybrid and Prius Prime both utilize the exact same powertrain yielding 121 hp and 105 lb-ft and comparable gas mileage estimates. But the Prius Prime has a trick up its sleeve as a plug-in hybrid, as those mileage estimates are on gasoline alone. Throw in a 25-mile electric-only range, and the Prius Prime begins to justify the $4,500 price difference between it and the Corolla hybrid, with an MPGe value of 133. In contrast to the one trim level for the Corolla Hybrid, the Prius Prime has three variants to choose from which opens up the spectrum for customization and varied levels of specification, with the Prime offering more features than the Corolla on higher trims. While the Prius Prime has much more cargo space to offer (19.8 cubic feet vs. 13 cubic feet of the Corolla Hybrid), the Corolla has taken the traditionally ugly concept of the Hybrid and given us something beautiful, yet just as eco-friendly. While the plug-in nature of the Prius Prime may make it more economical, the Corolla only sacrifices minimally in this department but gives buyers a better-looking, better-driving hybrid, for less, making it our pick.

Honda has long offered a stylish alternative to the Prius in the guise of the Insight, offering up a peppy 1.5-liter gasoline engine and electric combination that delivers 151 hp in comparison to the 121 hp of the Corolla Hybrid, and proffering substantially better performance. Where the Corolla scores 53/52/52 mpg, the Honda Insight has EPA estimates of 55/49/52 mpg, earning better rates in city driving conditions, and a weaker score only on the open road. With a slightly larger trunk space and equally impressive NHTSA safety scores, the Honda stands toe-to-toe with the new Corolla Hybrid. As is usual with Toyota, however, expected reliability ratings are class-leading. The Honda offers a noisier ride, with the engine protesting somewhat when pushed hard. A minor difference in price between the two vehicles makes this an even harder comparison; in the end, we choose the reliability and familiar safety of the Corolla Hybrid, coupled with a new-found sense of style.