
2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Vehicle Type: Small Hybrid
63
overall score
Category Ranking: 8
Vehicle Price
Base Price:
$23,400
Price as Tested:
$25,994
Fuel Information
Fuel Type: Regular
Fuel Capacity (gal): 11.4
EPA City mpg: 53
EPA Highway mpg: 52
EPA Combined mpg: 52

with specific headlights
Advanced Safety Features
- Adaptive Cruise Control [S]
- Advanced Headlights [S]
- Automatic Emergency Braking [S]
- Blind-Spot Warning [O]
- Forward-Collision Warning [S]
- Lane-Departure Warning [S]
- Lane-Keeping Assistance [S]
- Rear Cross-Traffic Warning [O]
- [S] Standard, [O] Optional
NHTSA Rating:
Overall Observations
When fuel prices rise, Americans gravitate toward vehicles that wring
maximum mileage out of a gallon of gas, such as the Toyota Corolla
Hybrid.
The Corolla’s hybrid drivetrain—a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and
an electric motor (121 hp total)—gets an EPA-estimated 52 mpg
combined and is seamless in its gas-electric transitions. Unfortunately,
it’s also slow and noisy, and the drivetrain drones under acceleration.
Handling in everyday driving is competent, but the Corolla isn’t fun to
drive. Additionally, the brakes have a mushy feel.
The cabin offers decent room in the front. The interior is plain and,
in the base model, the materials feel cheap. A Premium Package, with
leatherette seating ($1,525), was a welcome upgrade for 2021. On
the plus side, standard features include LED headlights with auto high
beams and Toyota’s well-regarded Safety Sense 2.0 suite of advanced
safety features. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are
optional, however
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Strengths and Weaknesses
Strong Points
- Good overall value
- 600-plus miles on asingle fill-up
- Lots of standardadvanced safetyfeatures
- Smooth hybriddrivetrain
Weak Points
- Powertrain is noisy;performance is justadequate
- Boring drivingexperience
- Plain interior styling;cheap fit and finish
Vehicle Specifications
Model year tested: 2021
Number of passengers (F/R): 2/3
Curb weight (lbs): 3060.0
Exterior L / W / H (in): 182.3 / 70.1 / 56.5
Wheelbase (in): 106.3
Number of air bags: 10
Warranty (months/miles): 36/36,000
Tire manufacturer and model: Yokohama Avid GT
Front and rear tire size: 195/65 R15
Max towing capacity (lbs): Not recommended
Headlight type: LED
Transmission type: Hybrid drive
Drivetrain type: Front wheel
Engine/motor: 1.8L 4-Cyl. dual VVT-i
Engine horsepower @ RPM: 121 @ 5200
Electric motor horsepower: 71
Combined system horsepower: 121
Test Data
Test Vehicle Scores
Advanced Safety Features:
7.40Fuel Efficiency:
7.99EPA Emissions Score:
7.00Acceleration:
1.75Braking:
5.34Handling:
7.24Ride Quality:
5.89Interior Size:
3.46Easy of Entry and Exit:
6.06Visibility:
5.13Interior Noise:
5.50Cargo Capacity:
.77
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Car Guide Categories:
- SUV/Minivan |
- Large |
- Midsize |
- Small |
- Pickup |
All Makes:
IIHS Top Safety Pick Vehicles: