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2021 Toyota Corolla Review
The Toyota Corolla stands out in the compact car segment with an astonishing range of standard safety features, stylish design and solid, if not exceptional, driving performance. The Corolla is also popular for its reliability, longevity and widespread global presence. In the New Zealand market, the Corolla competes with the Honda Civic, Nissan Sylphy, Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda Axela, all of which are formidable rivals.
2021 Toyota Corolla Front View
Introduction
The Toyota Corolla has been in production since 1966 and is currently in its 12th generation, which was introduced in 2018. The 12th generation Toyota Corolla has a more dynamic and modern design than its predecessor.
Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Corolla is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which offers improved structural rigidity and handling dynamics. The result is a more comfortable and engaging driving experience.
The interior gets a well-deserved upgrade. Higher quality materials, improved ergonomics and better sound insulation contribute to a more refined cabin.
The infotainment system is modernised with touchscreen displays, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and available navigation.
Engines
The 2021 Toyota Corolla comes with two engine options, the 1.8L 2ZR-FAE engine and the 2.0L M20A-FKS engine. The engines are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
2021 Toyota Corolla Grades
1. 2021 Toyota Corolla S- This is the base grade with 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, reversing camera,
2. 2021 Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport – This is the standard grade, with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rear-view camera, Bluetooth, a USB port and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
3. 2021 Toyota Corolla SX- This grade adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
4. 2021 Toyota Corolla W×B- This grade adds 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
5. 2021 Toyota Corolla ZR- This is the top-of-the-range model with 18-inch alloy wheels, a JBL sound system, heated front seats and a sunroof.
2021 Toyota Corolla interior
The 2021 Toyota Corolla’s refined detailing and soft-touch materials help to create a perfect blend of practicality and quality. This means a comfortable and stylish cabin that can seat five. The front seats are comfortable and spacious enough for taller passengers to stretch out. However, the second-row seats are a little tight in terms of headroom and may feel cramped for taller passengers. The 2021 Corolla also has well-designed attachment points for child seats.
2021 Toyota Corolla Interior
2021 Toyota Corolla Cargo space
The 2021 Toyota Corolla sedan has 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offers 17.8 cubic feet. This space is more than enough for your next epic road trip or workout session. If more space is needed, the rear seats can be folded down to a 60/40 split.
2021 Toyota Corolla Trunk
2021 Toyota Corolla Exterior
The 2021 Corolla has a refined exterior design with a number of unique features. These include striking 18-inch alloy wheels and integrated dark grey accents. All grades also come with standard LED exterior lighting including headlights, taillights and daytime running lights. The sides are sculpted with character lines and the rear has a sporty look with a sloping roofline and integrated tail lights.
Corolla is available in a range of colours to suit your tastes, including white, black, silver, red, blue and green.
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- 2021 Toyota Corolla front and side view
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- 2021 Toyota Corolla rear and side view
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- 2021 Toyota Corolla rear
Safety features; Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Rearview Camera, Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam. Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Headlights.
Performance
The 2021 Toyota Corolla feels stable and composed on the road thanks to a suspension system tuned for comfort. It also comes standard with Toyota’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, which helps prevent skidding and loss of control. VSC uses sensors to monitor the car’s speed, steering angle and yaw rate.
The 2021 Corolla’s handling is slightly more engaging than its predecessors, thanks to a stiffer suspension and quicker steering. The steering is also stable and predictable in corners, giving a firm ride.
In terms of braking, the 2021 Corolla has good performance, with strong stopping power and a smooth, controlled feel. Disc brakes on all four wheels are standard.
The base 1.8L engine provides sufficient motivation for city driving, but can feel underpowered, especially on the motorway. The 2.0 litre engine, on the other hand, feels more capable at higher speeds but is not particularly exciting.
Reliability
Toyota has a reputation for making reliable cars and the 2021 Toyota Corolla is no exception. The Corolla has been in production for over five decades and has undergone several iterations to become one of the most reliable cars on the market.
Despite its reputation as a reliable car, some owners have reported problems including: paint peeling on the bonnet, seatbelt issues and some problems with the automatic braking system. The faults are minor compared to other small cars of the same year, so as a Corolla ages, repair costs will be lower than normal.
It is advisable to maintain and service your Corolla regularly to minimise any problems that may arise.
If you are planning to buy or currently own a Toyota Corolla, it is also important that you read the Owner’s Manual and Buyer’s Guide for expert advice on car maintenance and to help you make the right buying decision.
Pros
Good fuel economy
Comfortable ride
Desirable standard equipment
Cons
Slow acceleration
Engines can be noisy
Not as sporty as rivals
Verdict
The 2021 Corolla is a good choice for consumers looking for a reliable and efficient means of transport, whether for daily commuting or long-distance travel. It also has advanced safety features and will appeal to most buyers. Its main weakness, however, is that there aren’t really any versions that are particularly fast or fun to drive. You also won’t find the four-wheel-drive versions you’ll find in other cars of the same calibre.
2021 Toyota Corolla side profile
