2022 Toyota Corolla Sedan Performance

The Toyota Corolla has never been a shrine to performance, and 2022's version is no different. The Corolla comes with a choice of two gas engines, both of which are four-cylinder motors with no forced induction, and a hybrid setup. The entry-level engine is a 1.8-liter that produces 139 hp and 126 lb-ft, and as you can guess, a 0-60 mph time of less than 10 seconds is all you can ask for here. The 2.0-liter is slightly better with its 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 121 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. The standard engine on L-line models is the smaller 1.8-liter four-pot with 139 hp and 126 lb-ft. It's always mated to a continuously variable transmission, so if the engine proves uninspiring - which it likely will for anyone but the most speed-fearing student drivers - the transmission won't set your hair on fire either. This configuration may cause you to give up driving altogether, as even metropolitan buses get off the line quicker than this. You'll never fail at overtaking anyone either because you'll be too scared of the car approaching from the opposite direction, even if that car is so far away that it can only be detected by radar. Essentially, once you're in a lane, make sure it's a slow one and try to stick to it.

For the Corolla Hybrid, the automaker uses the same 1.8-liter engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.3 kWh battery. A CVT is standard. Outputs come to 121 hp and 105 lb-ft, which are just as lethargic here as in the underwhelming Prius with the same setup. 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 to not be frustrating, and overtaking is now an option. The CVT that comes in the SE and XSE trims is also a "Dynamic-Shift" setup that emulates ten traditional gear ratios, and certainly feels far more refined and eager to get you off the mark. The SE's available six-speed manual is the highlight of the range, with its smooth and light stick making driving the Corolla a little more enjoyable. 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 of 53/52/52 mpg, which compares favorably to other hybrid sedans in the class.

If you're going with gas, the 2.0-liter engine paired with the automatic transmission is the most frugal setup, delivering figures of 31/40/34 mpg city/highway/combined. After that are XSE and Apex models with the same powertrain; these models can attain 31/38/34 mpg. With the automatic and the smaller 1.8-liter engine and the automatic gearbox, the Corolla achieves 30/38/33 mpg. Equipping the manual gearbox to the 1.8-liter engine realizes figures of 29/39/33 mpg. When the 2.0-liter engine is paired with the manual, it manages 29/36/32 mpg. Finally, the least frugal model is the 2.0-liter model with the manual and in Apex specification - it manages 28/36/31 mpg.

For the ICE-equipped models, a 13.2-gallon gas tank is common, so the Corolla has a range of between 409 and 449 miles. Hybrid models have a smaller tank at 11.4 gallons. A range of around 593 miles should be possible between refills.