2021 Toyota Corolla review

2021 Toyota Corolla Review: 

Toyota makes Android Auto™ a standard feature on the 2021 Corolla, a welcome addition a year after the start of its 12th generation. The sedan also got new rear-seat side airbags and an automatic stop-start feature meant to improve fuel economy. The Corolla is the least expensive Toyota you can buy, and its impressive fuel economy increases its appeal whether you go for the regular or hybrid version. There are more fun, or at least more interesting, sedans available. But for a no-nonsense set of wheels, it's tough to beat the Corolla. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have?

Connectivity

Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard features, and there are four USB-C ports (two up front and two in the rear) to keep your devices juiced up. A wireless phone charging pad is standard on higher trims of the Corolla, but it does not come standard on the base LE trim. 

Infotainment

An eight-inch touchscreen is standard on the Corolla. It works fine, though Edmunds' testing found it to be laggy at times. Toyota added an available 10.5-inch touchscreen for the 2025 model year, which functions similarly to the standard screen but offers larger touch targets, making it easier to see and operate. 

Driver-Assist Tech

The Corolla comes well equipped with standard driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation. Toyota made blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot while reversing) standard for the 2026 model year. Adaptive cruise control works well, as does the lane-keeping assistance feature. 

How comfortable is the 2021 Toyota Corolla? 

Front Seating

This isn't the most comfortable front seat you can find among compact sedans; the Honda Civic and Kia K4 are both better. However, the Corolla is fine. There's enough headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. The cloth seats breathe well when it's hot, but Edmunds' editors can't say the same for the stifling synthetic leather. 

Rear Seating

The tapered roofline eats up some headroom in the back seat, and legroom is merely OK. That's not unusual for cars of this size, but keep it in mind if you plan on hauling adults in the back seat regularly. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

The ride quality is largely fine. It's not a luxury car and it doesn't feel like one, but it's not uncomfortable either. Interior noise is one of the biggest drawbacks of the Corolla. Edmunds' editors found road noise to be an omnipresent feature. 

Does the 2021 Toyota Corolla have good storage?

Cargo 

There's 13.1 cubic feet of storage (1 cubic foot is about the size of a standard grocery bag); that's a little bit smaller than rivals but not by much. That's a respectable amount of storage. The second row doesn't fold down quite flat, which means there's about a four-inch lip when you transition from trunk to the rear seats. That can make getting long items into the trunk more complicated. 

Storage

There are numerous bins, pockets, and cupholders, but they're all on the small side. The available wireless charging pad for your cellphone does a good job of keeping your phone in place. 

How easy is the 2021 Toyota Corolla to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The good: The thin doors make getting in and out of the front easy. The bad: The tapered roofline makes getting in and out of the back a little more challenging. Squeezing a car seat is what you'd expect for a vehicle of this size, which is to say, it's a little tight but manageable. Keep in mind that a rear-facing car seat will impact the legroom of whatever seat it's installed behind. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

This is a strong point for the Corolla. The interior layout is clear and well organized. Visibility out of the front is also good thanks to the thin roof pillars. 

What’s the 2021 Toyota Corolla like to drive?

Driving

You're likely not expecting much from the Corolla … and that's the right approach. It's fine going from stoplight to stoplight, but it needs a lot of oomph to get up to highway speeds. We've already mentioned road noise (a lot, loud, etc.) but not the droning sound the engine makes when it's trying to get up to speed. 

Towing

You can tow up to 1,500 pounds in a properly equipped Corolla, which is pretty impressive.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

Edmunds' editors beat the EPA estimate (34 mpg in combined driving), averaging an impressive 40.2 mpg. The hybrid version gets an estimated 50 mpg in combined driving, dropping to 48 mpg for all-wheel-drive models.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates