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2021 Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Used Car Price Range
$13,699 - $26,998
$13,699 $26,998
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 L 4dr Sedan w/CVT
most popular
Price:   -  From $20,025
2021 LE 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $20,475
2021 SE 5dr Hatchback w/Manual Price:   -  From $20,715
2021 SE 5dr Hatchback w/CVT Price:   -  From $21,815
2021 SE 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $22,475
2021 Nightshade 5dr Hatchback w/CVT Price:   -  From $22,715
2021 Nightshade 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $23,175
2021 SE 4dr Sedan w/Manual Price:   -  From $23,175
2021 XSE 5dr Hatchback w/Manual Price:   -  From $23,665
2021 XLE 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $24,425
2021 XSE 5dr Hatchback w/CVT Price:   -  From $24,765
2021 APEX SE 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $25,170
2021 APEX SE 4dr Sedan w/Manual Price:   -  From $25,560
2021 XSE 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $25,925
2021 APEX XSE 4dr Sedan w/CVT Price:   -  From $28,310
Expert Rating
3.4 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

What's New

The 2021 Toyota Corolla was redesigned last year and carries forward mostly unchanged with a few exemptions. The Corolla finally adds Android Auto smartphone integration as standard equipment. Additionally, two new packages are available: a blacked-out Nightshade Edition is available on SE models, while a sporty Apex package is optional on SE and XSE trims.

Choosing Your Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is available in five trim levels: L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. Pricing starts at $20,780 including destination for the L and tops out at $26,680 for the XSE.

Engine Choices

The standard engine is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, which is what's found in the L, LE, and XLE. The SE and XSE come equipped with a larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which also happens to get better fuel economy.

Engine TypeHorsepowerTorqueFuel Economy (Combined)
1.8L 4-Cylinder139 hp126 lb-ft33 mpg
2.0L 4-Cylinder169 hp151 lb-ft34 mpg

Power is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A six-speed manual is available on the SE for an extra $275 over the CVT.

The CVT features a fixed “first” gear for a natural acceleration feel and sound before the belt-and-pully system takes over.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Corolla sedan can seat five passengers. Its 106.3-inch wheelbase affords 42 inches of front leg room and 34.8 inches of rear leg room. The trunk offers 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which is noticeably less than the rival Honda Civic.

Toyota Corolla

Safety Features

Toyota equips the Corolla with its latest safety suite that includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, road sign recognition, and automatic high beams.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the LE and SE and standard on the XLE and XSE.

Connectivity

A 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa integration is standard. A six-speaker audio system, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and satellite radio are also included.

The LE and above get an 8-inch touchscreen as standard. A nine-speaker JBL audio system is available on the SE, XLE, and XSE, while navigation is an option on just the XLE and XSE.

Toyota Corolla

L - From $20,780

The base L trim features LED headlights and taillights, 15-inch steel wheels, and body-colored exterior mirrors and door handles. Inside, fabric seating, a 4.2-inch digital gauge cluster display, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a split-folding rear seat are all standard.

LE - From $21,230

Next up, the Corolla LE adds more available exterior colors as well as 16-inch steel wheels and heated side mirrors. Premium fabric seats, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, and the 8-inch touchscreen are also standard additions.

The LE Convenience Package $1,150 is a worthwhile selection as it includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, push-button start, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The LE Premium Package ($2,000) includes the same plus a sunroof.

SE - From $23,230

The SE trim takes the Corolla in a sportier direction with the 2.0-liter engine, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a dark gray rear spoiler, sport mesh grille, and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also gets higher grade LED headlights and turn signal indicators.

New for 2021, the SE Nightshade Edition package ($700) is available in black, white, and silver, and wears a black on the grille surround, 18-inch wheels, mirror housings, door handles, side rocker panels, rear spoiler, and badging.

The Apex sport package is available for the first time here. It adds summer performance tires, a more aggressive look, and other performance tweaks.

XLE - From $25,180

The Corolla XLE builds on the LE – meaning it's back to the 1.8-liter engine – and includes 16-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a sunroof. Inside, it adds leatherette seating, heated front seats, a six-way power driver's seat, push-button start, and a 7-inch gauge cluster.

The XLE Connectivity Package adds the nine-speaker JBL audio system, navigation, and wireless charging for $1,715. A $2,165 version of this package also includes adaptive headlights and ambient interior lighting.

XSE - From $26,680

The top-of-the-line XSE combines the sporty appearance of the SE with the features of the XLE. Standard dark gray painted ride rocker panels and a rear spoiler are visual differentiators from the SE trim. The 2.0-liter engine and an eight-way power driver's seat are standard.

The same packages from the XLE are available here, as is the Apex package.

Compare Corolla Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

This newest generation of the Corolla is more adept at providing an enthusiastic driving experience than ever before. The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE with the Premium Package provides the performance, athletic appearance, and safety features that make it the best selection in the lineup.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Sporty styling
  • Loads of safety tech
  • Highly fuel efficient
  • Best handling Corolla yet
Cons
  • No performance model
  • Noisy larger engine
  • Low on rear seat and cargo space
Expert Rating
3.4 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Your choice of body styles. Not every manufacturer offers compact cars these days, with Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge having recently exited the market. Those that remain generally offer just one body style, a sedan, although the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, Mazda Mazda3, and the Hyundai Elantra are among the exceptions.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is another.

It returns to its roots somewhat by offering more than one body style for the first time in over a decade. In 2019, a hatchback rolled out, followed by a redesigned sedan the following year. There's even a Corolla Hybrid, although we review that model separately.

Clearly, Toyota believes there are plenty of customers left in the segment to justify a larger Corolla family, and that makes sense, as the compact model has been a best seller for most of the past 20 years.

There are some differences between the two styles. The hatchback is sportier looking, and it offers a much-needed storage alternative to the sedan's 13.1 cubic feet of space, delivering 18 cubic feet – and that's before folding down the rear seat. Count on the hatchback if you have a crossover in mind but aren't quite ready to cut the tie to a car.

Hints of performance. The Corolla has never been a street maven. That's not its purpose. Yet, with loads of sporty flair, the current model hints that something more may be at work. Or at least receiving serious scrutiny from Toyota brass as they shape the Corolla's future.

Benefiting the current models are a more rigid body and multilink suspensions. The two combine to supply a more composed drive with steering precision that punches above what you'd expect in this model. The electric power steering is an unexpected joy, as it operates effortlessly and follows the road without much wander.

Two engine choices are on tap – a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque won't wow anyone. It isn't designed to do that. Instead, it works diligently to make good on its 33 miles per gallon combined fuel economy rating, according to the EPA.

Also available is 2.0-liter four-cylinder, offered with every trim having an "S" in its lettering sequence. This includes some sedan trims and the two hatchback trims. It has 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque on tap.

That doesn't make for a zippy model, and the best you'll do is 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. We hope Toyota surprises us some day with a model that matches the performance glory of the Honda Civic Si.

As for the hatchback, it benefits from a standard six-speed manual gearbox that's a slick performer. You can even activate rev-matching, something enthusiasts crave.


Toyota Corolla

Safety is its forte. You have to hand it to Toyota. Soon after battling safety issues a decade earlier, the company took a hard look at its entire model line and made some drastic changes. They haven't let up, and the brand has arguably the best standard features list in all things driver assist.

Add this to its stellar Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and the Corolla is easy to recommend based on its safety credentials alone. This year, Toyota adds two more airbags and makes blind-spot monitoring more widely available.

Every 2021 Corolla with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which is comprised of lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, and automatic high beams.

The adaptive cruise control is especially welcome, a feature that's typically a spend-up option in competing models and even with some luxury makes. What you won't find is a surround-view camera system or a head-up display. These features are reserved for costlier models (read: Toyota Camry).

Finally, Android Auto. Toyota trailed its competitors in offering smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay arriving first followed by Android Auto just this year.

The reason, as told to us by Toyota, was to ensure that proprietary information in its systems remained free from third-party scrutiny. It took a few years longer for Toyota to adopt this popular duo, but you'll find both for 2021. And they're included with the base model, something we applaud.

Every trim also comes with Bluetooth and audio streaming. A 7-inch screen is standard, but most models have an 8-inch touchscreen display. Most trims come with a six-speaker audio system, but a nine-speaker JBL package is available. Navigation is available, but we prefer the smartphone apps to take us there.

Final thoughts. We'd easily recommend the 2021 Toyota Corolla XLE sedan or the standard hatchback trim. Both come well equipped and cost you under $25,000.

But we'd be remiss if we didn't suggest an examination of the Corolla Hybrid, as it offers outstanding value. The base model is in the same cost range and delivers an outstanding 52 mpg combined.

Check prices for the 2021 Toyota Corolla »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 139 HP / 126 ft.lbs.
Transmission
CVTi-S 2-spd CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
30 / 38 / 34 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 139 HP / 126 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
30 / 38 / 34 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$50
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
13.1 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
89 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
182.3 "
Exterior Width
70.1 "
Exterior Height
56.5 "
Front Headroom
38.3 "
Rear Headroom
37.1 "
Front Legroom
42.0 "
Rear Legroom
34.8 "
Front Shoulder Room
54.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
51.7 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,910 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
17.8 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Styled Steel
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Rear Side-impact Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Pre-collision System (pcs) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Alert (lda) W/steering Assist Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Lane Tracing Assist (lta) Hands-on Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection
Pre-collision System With Pedestrian Detection Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Vehicle Sway Warning Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Automatic High Beams (ahb) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2021 Toyota Corolla for Sale

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