2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Amazing MPG for Under $24,000

2020 Toyota Corolla sedan now features optional hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, pulled from the Prius.

I recently had a chance to briefly drive all of the variants of the new 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan. This new sedan model is based on the same platform as the 2019 Corolla hatchback that debuted last year. It represents a large step forward in terms of interior quality, technology and refinement.

However, after driving all of these different Corolla models, and learning about their unique personalities, the one that I was most interested in is the new Corolla LE Hybrid. So, about a month later, Toyota very kindly dropped on off in front of my house for a week to drive around, and see what it’s like to live with every day.

Why This Car Matters

While other brands, like Honda, have toyed around with offering hybrid-electric options in their compact cars, Toyota, at least in the United States, has been reluctant to mess with success. After all, Corolla is the Toyota corporate gateway drug that gets young buyers into the brand, and, more often than not, retains them.

Toyota claims that Corolla has the highest percentage of young buyers, aged 18-35, of all the compact cars on sale in the United States, and that Corolla also has the highest percentage of first-time buyers. From there, according to Toyota, 65% of buyers choose another Toyota product after their Corolla runs its course. This is presumably after about 603,500 miles. There’s a reason people buy these things.

This LE Hybrid model, in particular, is extremely interesting from a value proposition. The new Corolla and Prius roll on the same TNGA compact platform. This means that it is easier than ever for Toyota to drop the Prius’ hybrid powertrain into other models, like the Corolla. This car is, effectively, a Prius underneath, but it undercuts the Prius by $820, base price versus base price. That comes out to a scant $23,880, once the $930 destination charge is factored in.

Under the Hood

Pop the hood of the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid and you are greeted with a sea of shiny black plastic, with an engine hidden underneath. That’s okay, this thing isn’t designed to win a Concours car show, instead, it’s designed to be extremely thrifty and fuel efficient.

This is a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine, paired to an electric motor. It produces 121 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, which is not very much. However, that little engine motivates the Corolla Hybrid down the road to the tune of 53 MPG city, 52 MPG highway and 52 MPG combined. Now that is a lot.

On the Road

The Corolla LE Hybrid offers the most sedate driving experience out of the entire Corolla line-up. Its hybrid powertrain is surprisingly capable when it comes to low speed pure EV driving, which means total silence and serenity. At around town speeds, the Corolla Hybrid shines brightly, with it’s quiet ride and decent off the line torque from the electric motor helping the gasoline engine.

Indeed, the entire experience is generally devoid of feeling, at least until you approach a corner. There, the low rolling resistance eco-friendly tires wail and howl in protest even when being driven as gently as the Popemobile. Perhaps tellingly, supplier Yokohama has already released a newer tire that supersedes this Avid GT model.

Beyond that, the Corolla rolls along the road as if you were floating on a cloud. The steering is very light, and the ride quality is very soft and squishy. I suspect the softly-padded seats also contribute to this feeling, though, in a matter of personal presence, I found it difficult to get comfortable in them while driving for longer distances, due to their relatively flat shape.

I was willing to forgive the disconnected road feel because, to be frank, driving through Los Angeles, the Corolla was a welcome sight in a city with roads where potholes will swallow up your sports car whole, and bend your wheels if breathe too hard on a Wednesday.

Over the course of my week with the car, it also became clear that the Corolla Hybrid is an extraordinarily fuel efficient vehicle. While some vehicles fall short of their EPA fuel economy estimates, the Corolla Hybrid swings the other way. The average fuel economy meter never went under 60 MPG. Yes, really.

Continue reading about the 2020 Toyota Corolla LE Hybrid on the next page…

Jake Stumph

Jake Stumph is a lifelong car enthusiast and racer, who has operated as the content editor for Internet Brands Automotive since 2015. He runs Corvette Forum, 6SpeedOnline, Honda-tech, and LS1tech, among other Internet Brands Automotive websites. His work has been featured by several other prominent automotive outlets, including Jalopnik and Autobytel.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science at the Ohio State University in 2013, then pivoted from covering politics and policy to writing about his automotive adventures, something that, he says, is a lot more fun. Since that time, he has established connections with most of the world's major automakers, as well as other key brands in the automotive industry.

He enjoys track days, drifting, and autocross, at least, when his cars are running right, which is uncommon. You can check out what he's up to on his YouTube channel, as well as his Jake Stumph Racing Instagram account. He can be reached via email at stumph.jake@gmail.com

Instagram