Why The Toyota Corolla Hybrid Offers The Best Bang For Your Buck

The Toyota Corolla has always been a dependable car around the world. However, despite its pragmatism it has among the least creative options when it comes to buying a car over the years. A lot of that has changed with the 2023 Corolla Hybrid. In a move away from tradition, the vehicle supports a relatively aggressive design along with the usual reliability. Even though it’s early days, the 2023 Corolla Hybrid is a great option for buyers looking for an efficient vehicle at an affordable price. While it isn’t an all-out move away from Toyota’s known reliability, the model does offer some great features. An efficient powertrain, solid fuel efficiency, and an optional all-wheel drive are just some of the things that make the Toyota Corolla Hybrid arguably the best value-for-money vehicle of 2023.

Related: Here’s What Makes The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Special

The 2023 Corolla Hybrid Is Available In Multiple Trims

2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Infrared front fascia

While Toyota has been a dependable option for years, it is difficult to associate variety with the automaker. However, the company has added multiple options to its hybrid lineup this year. You can go for the base variant, the LE Hybrid trim, at a starting price of $23,050, and enjoy a range of standard features. These include wireless Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control. At the midrange, the SE trim is offered at $25,240 and gives buyers features like keyless entry and bolder front seats. Topping the lineup is the XLE trim, at $26,850 the model comes with features like heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, and a moon roof.

2023 Toyota Corolla Pricing

An exciting option that Toyota has added is the electronic all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain for LE and SE hybrid variants. This translates to better control of the car in slippery conditions. The AWD system also improves grip and gives drivers more traction on the road. In addition to base features, all models come with customized packages for an extra cost of around $1,000. All said, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to the 2023 Corolla Hybrid, and at a lower cost than competitors like the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Prius. These options come with plenty of features and exciting new additions that make this car a worthwhile investment.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Honda Accord Hybrid Is Special

The Corolla Hybrid Gets A Power Boost To Go With The New Style

A rear three-quarter shot of a 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid in action.

For most car enthusiasts, the Toyota Corollas of the past were a stable but boring choice. However, the newest Corolla Hybrid challenges that notion. Even though the overall styling remains focused on practicality, there’s a distinct flair about the 2023 models. The updated front and rear designs bring a fresh grill with headlights staring gracefully back at the observer. The textured grill for the SE trim goes well with the 18-inch graphite wheels to give the car a sleeker look. LED headlights, Daytime Running Lights and a wider rear fascia complete the modern exterior look. On the inside, the piano black fabric meshes well with the sprinkling of red. Then there’s an updated infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen making the dashboard more presentable than ever. Despite all the changes, the interior design still lags behind the likes of the Hyundai Elantra and the Honda Civic. However, the changes under the hood make this car an even better choice.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid Engine Specs

Every Corolla Hybrid gets a 1.8-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and a compact, synchronous motor on the front axle. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive option adds a second motor to the rear end. This revised system gives the latest edition an edge over the Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2022. It brings the vehicle output to 134 horsepower, up from 121, and offers 156 lb-ft. of torque, an increase from 146 in the previous models. The engine boost makes the car more stable and controlled when coasting downhill. New additions also add to the overall comfort of the Corolla Hybrid, especially when it already comes with top-notch safety features.

Related: Why The Toyota Prius Prime Is Better Than Every Other Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle

2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Infrared side view 

Toyota’s latest active safety technology Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across its hybrid lineup. While some car brands ask for extra dollars to provide features like adaptive cruise control, it comes standard with the latest Corolla Hybrid. In addition, there’s automatic emergency braking in case of a collision threat along with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Another notable feature of this safety technology is the Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) which uses the vehicle’s camera and radars to provide gentle braking around curves and steering support to maintain distance between the vehicle and motorists on the road. The whole system works well along with features like Lane Tracing Assist and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Owing to a multitude of features, the 2023 Corolla Hybrid earns a 5/5 overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It scored 5/5 on frontal and side crash ratings while earning a 4/5 for rollover resistance.

Safety Ratings

• Recalls: 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• Awards: IIHS Top Safety Pick

The overall comfort of the car is enhanced by a well-integrated hybrid powertrain. The engine preserves fuel through frequent shutdowns on traffic stops, while excellent insulation ensures that the driver does not feel any vibration when restarting the car. With a more powerful engine, the Corolla Hybrid still won’t accelerate as quickly as some of its rivals. But the vehicle is directed towards comfort and is a very secure cruiser once up to speed. Passengers won’t necessarily feel the bumps on the road due to firmer suspension and the all-wheel-drive gives the hybrid a firmer steering setup. All the improvements Toyota has offered with its newest Corolla Hybrid become all the more desirable when we turn to the fuel economy of the vehicle.

Related: 10 Hybrid Vehicles That Offer Incredible Fuel Efficiency

The Corolla Hybrid Is Efficient And Affordable

Front three-quarters shot of a white 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Selecting an economic option to drive inevitably comes down to fuel economy on offer and the new Corolla Hybrid offers a significant advantage on that front. The most efficient variant is the LE front drive which can go up to 53 miles per gallon in the city and 46 mpg on the highway giving it a combined rating of 50 mpg. The impressive fuel economy is maintained by the XLE variant but the SE model delivers a slightly lower 47 mpg combined. The drop in fuel average is mainly down to the Sports driving mode offered in the mid-range trim. A further drop is observed in the better-performing all-wheel drive version even though it still offers a solid 47 mpg in the city, 41 on the highway, and 44 combined. There’s always the option of leveraging the regenerative braking system and Eco driving mode to help increase fuel economy.

Fuel Economy

In any case, consumers can get an average range of about 570 miles, which is good enough to avoid too many fuel stops and to drive the Corolla Hybrid around without worrying too much about the cost. It should be noted that the 2023 Prius can offer a higher fuel economy of up to 56 mpg, but that comes at a higher cost of over $28,500 and the expense of rear seat room. For a four-door sedan, the Corolla Hybrid and Hyundai Elantra are the only options. However, the Corolla Hybrid offers significant fuel economy with the stability of an all-wheel drive making it one of the most efficient four-door sedans of 2023. The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid’s robust safety features, solid build quality, revved-up power, and fuel economy make it an appealing option when compared with vehicles in the same price segment.