Toyota Corolla XSE 2023

The Toyota Corolla is a fairly safe bet when it comes to compact cars. It’s cheap, economical, and dependable. Also, the Corolla happens to be one of the most successful nameplates in the world, with over 50 million units sold since its inception. Having a history spanning 55 years and currently running its 12th generation, the Toyota Corolla is a compact runabout with a sensible personality suitable for anyone with a rational mindset.

However, with the GR Corolla unveiled fairly recently, Toyota’s idea of a practical car has taken a spicy turn. In a very un-Corolla fashion, performance is brisk, and the car now drives as good as it looks—not something you’d say about the Corolla Hatchback or Sedan.

Giving the 2022 Honda Civic and 2022 Mazda 3 a run for their money, the Toyota Corolla is a solid contender with a diverse range of options. Quite literally, there is a Corolla for everyone, whether it be hybrid, front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, or even an entirely different body style, Toyota has you covered. Heck, you even have the option of a GR Corolla if you fancy a rally-bred hot hatch.

Come 2023, the Corolla lineup gets several noticeable changes in the form of omissions, upgrades, styling tweaks, trim revisions, and more. So without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the entire 2023 Toyota Corolla family.

What Has Changed In The 2023 Toyota Corolla?

via: Toyota

There are quite a few changes. Firstly, the base L trim has been removed, leaving LE models as the new entry-level Corolla. Also, the Nightshade and Apex trims are no longer available. The Corolla Hybrid, on the other hand, gains SE and XLE trim levels, with optional AWD on the LE and SE trims. As for the exterior, Corolla hatchbacks come with a redesigned grille, LED headlights, and a rear bumper with chrome accents. All 2023 Corolla models (excluding the base LE) get redesigned headlights and LED daytime running lights.

In terms of engines, the 139-horsepower 1.8L sold with the L, LE, and XLE trims has been replaced by the 169-horsepower 2.0L unit. Also, all 2023 Corollas (except the GR) are now exclusively automatics, with Toyota dropping the optional six-speed manual transmission. The GR Corolla, however, is only offered with a six-speed manual—gets AWD and a 300-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

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Pricing for the base 2023 Corolla LE Sedan starts from $21,550, while the Hybrid LE costs $22,800. The SE Hatchback gets an MSRP of $22,965, with XSE costing an extra $4,000 or thereabouts. Non-hybrid XSE costs $26,700, while the top-spec Hybrid XLE goes for $26,600.

Step up to the limited-run GR Corolla, and starting prices jump to $35,900 for the Core trim, while the Circuit Edition asks a $7,000 premium. Top-spec Morizo Edition (now unavailable on Toyota’s website) costs $14,000 more than the 2023 GR Corolla’s Core trim level.

2023 Toyota Corolla: Let’s Talk Performance

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Performance is not overwhelming unless you’re driving the GR Corolla. Standard Corolla affairs are rewritten with trick suspension wizardry, chassis tweaks, and driving engagement. Acceleration is brisk, as is handling. The 2023 GR Corolla manages to hit 0-60 mph in a touch under five seconds.

As for the non-GR items, things are sedate and very much “economical”— may be too economical in some cases. Journalists have noticed the Corolla’s acceleration to be weak, with the CVT transmission not helping in any way. Engine sounds are coarse when under load, and general refinement takes a massive hit. Comfort is adequate, and the Corolla never encourages you to drive spiritedly. The SE and XSE, however, separate themselves from the rest of the pack with a stiffer sport-tuned suspension, aiding in sliding better dynamics.

What About The 2023 Corolla Interior And Tech?

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The GR Corolla shares most of its cabin with the standard Corolla hatchback, which isn’t a bad thing. This means you’re offered decent build quality, soft-touch materials, and plenty of features, but with racier appointments like sports seats, GR logos, and red stitching. On the Morizo Edition, Toyota has taken things a step further by removing the rear seat, rear speakers, and even the window wiper in the name of weight savings.

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Step inside the non-racy Corolla and things feel sturdy and portray a sense of longevity. Every Corolla has an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The XSE and XLE now get a redesigned 7.0-inch gauge cluster, while the rest get an updated 4.2-inch unit.

As you can probably tell, the GR Corolla sacrifices the compact’s rational ideas for performance and lap times. But for the more practical people, the standard Corolla in Sedan or Hatchback format should suffice. To conclude, the Corolla—although perhaps not as dynamic as a Mazda 3 or Honda Civic—is certainly a well-rounded everyday car that gets you from A to B with zero fuss.

Source: Toyota