2018 Toyota Corolla Sedan (US) 2.0L CVT FWD (169 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Toyota introduced the twelfth generation of the Corolla in 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show, but it postponed the launch of the new model for the U.S. market until 2019 for the 2020 model year.

By the time the car went on sale on the North American continent, the Corolla was the best-selling nameplate for a passenger vehicle. Its success was primarily based on its proverbial reliability and features. Even though it never won a design contest and sometimes it looked dull, it was that mundane vehicle that kept going back and forth to work, holidays, college, or just doing school runs. But the twelfth generation spiced things up a little.

The 2020 Corolla was no longer a bland-looking vehicle. At the front, it looked wider, with aggressive, boomerang-shaped headlights. Moreover, the lower bumper featured a broad trapezoidal grille flanked by air intakes that diverted the airflow around the bodywork. The car’s profile showed a cabin moved rearward, with a short deck behind the rear windscreen.

Toyota created a nicer interior on the 2020 Corolla, with an analog instrument panel where the speedometer took center stage. Atop the center stack, the automaker placed the touchscreen for the infotainment system in a free-floating way. Thus, it could raise the center console and put the gear stick in an elevated position. Yet, the flat seats at the front and the bench seat for three in the back were far from being called “sporty.”

Customers could choose one of the three powertrains available: one hybrid and two gasoline-only versions. While the former was provided exclusively with an eCVT transmission, the latter ones were also available with a six-speed manual apart from a CVT gearbox.