2020 TOYOTA COROLLA HYBRID REVIEW

The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a car we at Napleton.news have been hoping for, for quite a long time, actually. Imagine owning a compact four-door sedan that’s capable of 52 miles per gallon. Imagine further, if it doesn’t look all space-aged, too (Sorry, Prius). Toyota imagined as well and the new Corolla Hybrid is the answer.

Don’t get us wrong: The cars that make up the Toyota Prius family are fine automobiles. They offer the same powertrains and electric power generation found in the new 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid. It’s just that for some buyers, they tend to trend towards vehicles that are more traditional in appearance. They are the buyers Toyota had in mind when they designed this Corolla.

TRADITIONAL LOOKING BUT TECHNOLOGICALLY LOADED

While the new 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid appears, for all intents and purposes, like a traditional car, don’t let its mild-mannered appearances fool you. The new Hybrid is a high-efficiency model that takes a conventional Corolla profile and stuffs a Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system inside. In fact, that’s not the only thing the Corolla shares with the Prius. There’s also Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active safety systems.

Using the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform as its starting point, the new Corolla was designed from the ground up to accommodate either the traditional gas-engine or the hybrid version, all within the same footprint. That way, there’s no compromise in useful space when deciding which model is right for you. You get nearly the same trunk space, regardless of what type of Corolla you have.

POWERING UP

The Corolla Hybrid’s powerplant is comprised of the brand’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. It’s made up of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two motor generators (electric motors) making 53-kW.  Power hits the pavement by an electronically controlled planetary front-wheel-drive continuously variable transmission (CVT). Using higher mathematics (don’t ask) the combined system provides 121 horsepower.

New battery technology called Hyper-Prime Nickel has enabled Toyota designers to boost battery performance in a smaller and lighter place. The result is a more compact, flat battery array in an area under the rear seat rather than taking up valuable trunk space. The small size of this new design also allows the use of a 60:40 folding rear seat. A lower center of gravity is a by-product of the new design and instills a sense of improved car control as a result.

In addition to the Hybrid Battery System, the Corolla’s 1.8-liter gas engine is an Atkinson-cycle engine that is specifically designed for hybrid applications. It is made to extract more fuel economy than the more traditionally used Otto Cycle engine found in traditional Corolla automobiles. While a conventional model may get 31-34 miles per gallon, the Corolla Hybrid, according to the EPA, is good for 52 miles per gallon.

HYBRID EXTRAS

The 2020 Corolla’s TNGA platform rides on 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires. It also utilizes a multi-link rear suspension for better ride comfort and agility when compared to the previous-generation model.

Inside, our LE model featured fabric seat covering with a seven-inch display screen offering a way to monitor your speed, battery condition and even provide tips for hyper-milers who are working to achieve the best fuel economy possible.

To the right of the instrument pod is an 8-inch touch screen display that houses Toyota’s Entune 3.0 audio system. This system includes AM-FM-MP3/WMA connectivity. But it doesn’t end there. It is also equipped with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Just plug in your phone and get access to apps including Sirius XM, Pandora and Waze.

BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE COROLLA HYBRID

Looking lower and leaner than it actually has a right to, the new Corolla Hybrid cuts a mean path through the town and along the highways near Napleton’s Southern headquarters. Able to seat up to five passengers, the Corolla has a fully-functional trunk as well. Getting behind the wheel of this Gas/Electric hybrid feels identical to entering the conventional Corolla. Push the starting button and we’re off!

The ride from the Corolla is well composed and refined, thanks to the MacPherson strut front suspension and the new updated multi-link kit at the rear. Acceleration off the line is impressive but the low rolling resistance tires offer slightly more road noise than that from a standard Corolla. But life is full of trade-offs.  

The Corolla Hybrid has three drive modes: ECO, Normal and Sport. Normal and Sport modes feel somewhat similar, while ECO comes across as a bit sluggish. Still, there are those who live to achieve the highest possible mileage ratings. Please do us a favor, though and stay in the right lane while we buzz by achieving our 52 mpg equivalent.