2024 Toyota Corolla Review

Toyota’s 2024 Corolla is a compact sedan starting at $22,050. The Corolla, which has been available since 1968, has maintained its success with a reputation for reliability, affordability, and quality safety/resale value. Our review will help you determine if the 2024 Corolla checks these boxes and has any other tricks enhancing its value.

MotoPickers Rating: 7.7/10

The 2024 Corolla is part of the model’s 12th generation, introduced for 2020. Updates to this production year’s model include the return of the Nightshade trim level, which offers darkened exterior accents, and the discontinuation of the XLE trim. At a glance, the upsides associated with this vehicle include accessible controls, a solid exterior design, and lots of standard safety features. Other benefits we’ll explore consist of a comfortable ride and high fuel economy stemming from a hybrid powertrain.

However, noticeable downsides include poky acceleration, less headroom, and excess road noise from the engine on highways. This Toyota’s rivals include:

• Honda Civic
• Mazda3
• Hyundai Elantra
• Kia Forte
• Nissan Sentra
• Subaru Impreza
• Volkswagen Jetta

We’ll compare the 2024 Corolla’s upsides and downsides to the above competition to give you a better understanding of this Toyota’s market position and whether it aligns with your driving needs.

Exterior spotlight

The special edition 2024 Corolla Nightshade boasts the most unique exterior styling with blackout badging, 18” bronze-finished alloy wheels, and black mirror caps. Those looking for impressive exterior options outside of the Nightshade can get the available dark gray metallic rear spoiler, diffuser, and side rocker panels.

This Toyota enhances its curb appeal with a low and wide stance supported by 16-18” wheels. Exterior colors include:

• Midnight Black Metallic
• Ruby Flare Pearl
• Wind Chill Pearl
• Ice Cap
• Classic Silver Metallic
• Celestite
• Underground
• Blueprint
• Ice Cap with Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Wind Chill Pearl with Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Classic Silver Metallic with Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Celestite with Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Underground with Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Ruby Flare Pearl with Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Blueprint with Midnight Black Metallic roof

The 2024 Corolla features LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights/stoplights. Front grille options are black for the LE, and a sport mesh gloss-black variety is available. Outside mirrors are power-adjustable with optional heating. This compact sedan’s single exhaust has dual chrome tips, and the available sliding roof is a moonroof instead of a panoramic roof.

While the 2024 Corolla offers sporty aesthetics through models like the Nightshade, the 2024 Honda Civic’s exterior is sportier in its standard configuration. However, the Civic offers fewer two-tone roof color options than its Toyota counterpart. The 2024 Mazda3 has an elegant exterior but lacks the Corolla’s extensive color palette. Most of the 2024 Corolla’s rivals offer wheel sizes up to 18”, but models like the 2024 Hyundai Elantra offer wheels measuring up to 19”.

Nissan’s 2024 Sentra has an aggressive V-shaped front grille, but its overall exterior is more conservative than that of the 2024 Corolla. Those seeking rugged exterior aesthetics instead of a sporty or conservative appearance may want to compare this Corolla with the 2024 Subaru Impreza.

Interior close-up

This Toyota’s upholstery options include optional artificial leather SofTex-trimmed seats, SofTex-trimmed front sport seats with sport fabric inserts, or fabric-trimmed seats. The driver’s seat comes with an 8-way or 6-way power adjustable configuration, while the front passenger receives 4-way adjustment capability. Trunk cargo capacity measures a moderate 13.1 cubic feet (cu. ft.), and you can dress up the interior with metallic trim details like chrome door handles.

Ambient lighting and features such as the leather-wrapped steering wheel are available options. Optional piano-black accents and soft-touch door and dashboard materials elevate the cabin’s ambiance, and the controls are accessible with their placements remaining within arm’s reach. The 2024 Corolla’s automatic climate control system comes with a dust/pollen filter, but heated seats aren’t available in every trim. There’s also less headroom than some rivals, but legroom remains competitive in the front and rear rows.

Honda’s Civic offers more front/rear legroom than the 2024 Corolla’s 42”/34.8” at 42.3”/37.4”. The Mazda3 presents higher-quality interior materials than this Toyota, but the headroom in the rear row is comparable. Hyundai has enhanced cabin materials in its Elantra for the model’s 2024 production year, but it still lags behind the Corolla with higher usage of hard plastics, similar to Kia’s Forte.

Those seeking the highest possible level of front seat support and comfort will find satisfaction with a car like the 2024 Nissan Sentra via the model’s Zero Gravity front seats. While the Sentra’s interior is slightly more straightforward than the 2024 Corolla’s, you can upgrade the cabin with available quilted Nappa leather, which this Toyota doesn’t offer. Similar to its exterior, the 2024 Subaru Impreza’s interior reflects a design philosophy emphasizing durability for more of a utilitarian feel.

Power and performance

The 2024 Toyota Corolla contains a 2.0-liter dynamic force engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque, which translates to a 0-60 MPH speed of 8.2-9 seconds. You can pair this engine with an optional continuously variable transmission, which strengthens efficiency in areas like fuel economy. Drivers will receive 30-53 MPG in the city and 38-46 MPG on the highway, depending on whether a model is hybrid or non-hybrid.

A hybrid 2024 Corolla provides less horsepower at 138, but its impressive mileage helps compensate. You can also activate a 2024 hybrid Corolla’s Sport mode to sharpen its throttle response for better acceleration. Toyota equips this compact sedan with mounted paddle shifters, which are more for show and convenience as opposed to a reflection of high-performance capabilities. The 2024 Corolla’s three drive modes include Sport, Eco, and Normal. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available, and front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard.

This Toyota complements its reliability and solid fuel economy with a comfortable ride. However, the engine can produce rough sounds at highway speeds, and acceleration is slower, with lower horsepower in all versions. The 2024 Honda Civic’s base engine is weaker than the 2024 Corolla, but its optional motor produces more horsepower at 180. Fuel economy between these two vehicles is comparable.

A 2024 Mazda3 has a more capable horsepower range of 191-250 while maintaining quality fuel efficiency and handling. Comparatively, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra has a poky 147-horsepower base powertrain and a 201-horsepower engine with its N-Line model, which delivers sportiness more through looks than performance. The 2024 Kia Forte shares the Hyundai Elantra’s horsepower specs, and the Nissan Sentra falls short of the models above, including the Corolla, at 149 horsepower.

Toyota’s 2024 Corolla holds its own in the performance category with quality fuel efficiency but could use a turbocharged engine option with better acceleration.

Tech overview

This Toyota’s central touch display measures 8” and has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available wireless charging helps keep you connected to these two platforms, and optional navigation offers pinch-and-zoom controls. You can utilize the central infotainment display with voice commands and touch operation and enhance its functionality with the optional WiFi hotspot. Audio enthusiasts will want to upgrade to the nine-speaker JBL audio system, which includes an amplifier and subwoofer.

The standard instrument cluster displays measures 4.2” or 7” in its available configuration. This cluster allows you to customize its presentation of driving data like your speed, current fuel economy, average speed, and more. If you don’t select wireless charging, four USB ports are standard.

Additional connected services

Toyota equips the Corolla with a solid selection of available connected services, such as remote connect, which allows you to wirelessly find your car. Safety Connect gives 2024 Corolla drivers the ability to press a button and access perks like 24/7 roadside assistance. Drive Connect enhances navigation with cloud navigation and an intelligent assistant, in addition to live agent support. Maintaining this Toyota’s resale value is easier with Service Connect, which provides reminders when it’s time for maintenance.

Tech competition comparison

Honda’s Civic holds an advantage in tech over the 2024 Corolla with its central touchscreen that’s 1” larger and optional audio system with three more speakers. If you’re prioritizing access to several connected services, the Corolla is a better choice. The Mazda3 offers an optional 10.25” display, but may feel less intuitive than the Corolla with its use of a rotary dial. The 2024 Hyundai Elantra also contains a 10.25” display but matches the Corolla’s number of speakers.

Safety capabilities

The 2024 Corolla impresses on the safety front with its Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and five-star NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) passenger crash protection scores. These safety capabilities are anchored by Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Proactive Driving Assist
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Road Sign Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection can also monitor for impending frontal crashes with bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles. When recognizing a high-risk situation, a driver will receive audible and visual warnings before the system initiates automatic braking. Proactive Driving Assist utilizes camera and radar technology to automatically implement subtle braking or steering when entering curves or to increase distance from other bicyclists, vehicles, or pedestrians.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist does what its name suggests if you begin to drift without a turn signal, but it goes above and beyond some rivals’ systems by providing automatic steering assistance in addition to audible and visual notifications. Automatic High-Beams help accommodate oncoming traffic during night drives, and Road Sign Assist ensures you’re up-to-speed on vital posted road information.

Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control applies automatic braking and acceleration to keep you at a safe pre-set distance from vehicles you’re following, and its full-speed capability is significant given that some competing versions from other automakers only work at speeds above a certain threshold.

Toyota elevates the 2024 Corolla’s passenger crash protection with:

• Whiplash-injury-lessening seats
• Energy-absorbing collapsible steering column
• Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones w/ side-impact door beams
• Head-impact protection structure
• High-tensile-strength steel body panels

While the 2024 Corolla comes with several standard safety features, the Available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is an available feature.

Trim guide and owner considerations

Below is a list of the 2024 Corolla’s trims, along with their starting prices and highlight-worthy features helping distinguish each grade.

Corolla LE/Hybrid LE – $22,050/$23,500

Drivers receive 31 MPG in the city, 42 MPG on the highway, and an 8” touchscreen display with the 2024 Corolla’s base trim. The hybrid version gets 53/46 MPG city/highway.

Corolla SE/Hybrid SE – $24,490/$25,940

Moving into the SE gives you premium sport seats with sport fabric inserts, a CVT, and 18” alloy wheels with a graphite-colored finish. Selecting the hybrid SE elevates fuel efficiency to 50/43 MPG city/highway.

Corolla Nightshade/Hybrid Nightshade – $25,490/$26,940

Blackout badging and black-painted sport side rocker panels/rear spoiler help form the Nightshade model’s unique exterior appeal.

Corolla XSE – $27,150

The XSE receives gray metallic sport side rocker panels/spoiler in addition to SofTex-trimmed seats.

Corolla XLE Hybrid – $27,250

XLE Hybrid purchasers get a power-sliding moonroof, SofTex-trimmed upholstery, and 53/46 MPG city/highway.

Warranty info

Toyota offers 2024 Toyota Corolla owners a 36-month or 36,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first, a 60-month or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 24-hour roadside assistance for 2 years and unlimited miles.

Final verdict

The Toyota Corolla maintains its reputation for reliability, safety, and affordability with its 2024 production year. One of the 2024 model’s best changes is Toyota’s decision to bring back the Corolla’s Nightshade trim, which sharpens curb appeal in several areas. However, outside of fuel efficiency, its performance is average or below average compared to the competition in the crowded compact sedan segment. The 2024 Corolla’s tech could also use a lift with a larger optional display size.

Still, if you’re looking for what it promises, the Corolla is the right choice, making it worthy of a 7.7/10 overall rating.