2023 Toyota Corolla

Toyota mostly fulfills its reputation for building efficient and exceptionally reliable vehicles. Most of their models do well in our testing, thanks to their impressive fuel economy, comfortable rides, quiet cabins, and ease of getting in and out. All of this makes Toyotas among the best options for used vehicles. The brand was a hybrid pioneer, starting with the original Prius. Toyota has evolved and expanded that technology, and most vehicles in its lineup are available as a hybrid. Toyota also sells a number of plug-in hybrids, which were once called Prime but are now simply referred to as Plug-in. The company also knows how to add a dose of excitement into its lineup. The GR86, GR Corolla, and Supra are legit, fun-to-drive sports cars. However, some models we’ve tested have been disappointing. The company’s EV, the bZ4X SUV, is mediocre.

The redesigned Corolla sedan is fuel efficient, but the new styling has compromised the rear seat room and made it harder to get in or out of, because of its lower stance and curvier body. The hybrid version gets an impressive 48 mpg overall. Both the hybrid and the 1.8-liter engine accelerate leisurely, and the continuously variable transmission amplifies engine noise. A more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder comes on the higher trim lines and on the hatchback. Toyota improved the Corolla's handling agility without sacrificing ride quality. The controls are easy to use and Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard. Automatic emergency braking comes standard. Blind spot warning is an option, except on the hybrid where it's not available at all. This was remedied for 2021; blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning became available on the hybrid model as a stand-alone package. A substantially refreshed model debuted for 2023, highlighted by exterior trim updates, adding the more trims to the hybrid line. The base 1.8-liter engine was replaced by a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Sadly, the manual transmission option was dropped, but all-wheel drive became optional. All models came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen.