2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan Performance

The Toyota Corolla has never been a shrine to performance, and the latest version is no different. The Corolla comes with a choice of two engines, those being a 2.0L four-cylinder and a hybrid setup. The 2.0-liter has 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, but this engine still only motivates the Corolla to get from 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds. The hybrid Corolla uses the 1.8-liter four-pot combined with two electric motors for anemic outputs of 138 hp and 105 lb-ft.

Clearly, the Corolla was never built for top speed - regardless of powertrain. However, what the front-wheel-drive sedan does offer is a comfortable ride along with remarkably good handling. It's not going to win any autocross events, but it is sprightly enough to feel capable, and in an affordable sedan like this, anything more would probably be considered overkill. The only rivals in the segment to offer AWD come from Japanese kin like Mazda and Subaru, whose Mazda 3 and Impreza offerings can drive all four wheels.

Toyota divides the Corolla lineup into two sub-lines, Luxury and Sport, denominated by the 'L' or 'S' in the trim name. But for 2023, there's just two engines - a hybrid and a gas setup. For the Corolla Hybrid, the automaker uses last year's 1.8-liter engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.3 kWh battery. A CVT is standard. Outputs come to 138 hp and 105 lb-ft, which are just as lethargic here as they sound. You'll need to have time to spare going anywhere in the Hybrid, and an extra dose of patience.

However, if you get the 2.0-liter four-banger with its 169 hp and 151 lb-ft, you'll find that getting going is a little easier to achieve. It's still not a fire-breathing power plant, but it's good enough not to be frustrating, and overtaking is now an option with a bit of planning. Last year's optional manual has been dropped, so you have to put up with the CVT. This transmission is a "Dynamic-Shift" setup that emulates ten traditional gear ratios, and certainly feels far more refined and eager to get you off the mark. Whichever powertrain you choose, you won't feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and although this segment is not the place to find Autobahn missiles, most rivals are more polished and quicker.

The Corolla has always promised low running costs, and where the lackluster powertrains may seem boring, they greatly benefit fuel consumption in the real world. Naturally, the Corolla Hybrid is the way to go if fuel economy is your priority. The hybrid sedan manages EPA estimates as good as 53/46/50 mpg, which compares favorably to other hybrid sedans in the class.

If you're going with gas, the 2.0-liter engine is relatively frugal, delivering figures of 31/40/34 mpg city/highway/combined in the top two trims, and 41/35/32 mpg in the base trim. A 13.2-gallon gas tank is standard, so the Corolla has a range of between 422 and 449 miles. Hybrid models have a smaller tank at 11.4 gallons.