From college campuses to city streets across the globe, the Toyota Corolla has cemented its status as the go-to choice for dependable and budget-friendly transportation. The 2024 Toyota Corolla builds upon this legacy, aiming to offer more than just basic reliability. It seeks to blend practicality with modern features and even a touch of excitement.
Available as both a four-door sedan and a versatile five-door hatchback, the 2024 Corolla presents buyers with a choice of three distinct powertrains and the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. We’ve put various 2024 Corolla models to the test, including the fuel-efficient Corolla Hybrid sedan and the thrilling GR Corolla performance hatchback, to assess what Toyota brings to the table in today’s competitive market. Is the 2024 Corolla simply a durable but uninspiring car, or is it a vehicle you’ll genuinely enjoy owning for years to come? Let’s delve into our comprehensive review to find out.
Diverse 2024 Toyota Corolla Model Lineup
The 2024 Toyota Corolla boasts a wide array of models to cater to diverse needs and preferences. The Corolla sedan starts with a capable 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower, with a base price of $22,050. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 138-horsepower gas-electric hybrid powertrain is available for an additional $1,500.
The Corolla hatchback, starting at $23,505, offers a compelling value proposition, often priced slightly lower than comparably equipped sedan models. Most hatchback versions are equipped with the 169-hp engine. However, the GR Corolla hatchback, a performance-oriented model priced from $36,500, truly stands out with its turbocharged 300-horsepower three-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is also offered as a $1,400 option for the Corolla Hybrid sedan. While the GR Corolla comes exclusively with a sporty six-speed manual transmission, all other 2024 Corolla models utilize a smooth and efficient continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
2024 Toyota Corolla: Affordable and Feature-Packed
Regardless of whether you’re drawn to the sedan, hybrid, hatchback, or the high-performance GR Corolla variant, the 2024 Toyota Corolla range offers exceptional value for money.
Even the base Corolla LE sedan trim is generously equipped with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, a six-speaker audio system, and wireless smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Opting for the $1,340 Convenience Package enhances the LE trim with upgrades like 16-inch alloy wheels (replacing steel wheels), convenient push-button start, and essential safety features such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Moving up the trim ladder unlocks further amenities, including comfortable leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and an upgraded premium sound system. Importantly, even these higher trim levels remain comfortably under the $30,000 mark, solidifying the Corolla’s position as an accessible and budget-friendly choice. Adding to the ownership appeal, Toyota vehicles generally hold excellent resale value and include a complimentary scheduled maintenance plan covering two years or 25,000 miles. Furthermore, the 2024 Corolla Hybrid stands out as America’s most affordable hybrid vehicle, making fuel-efficient technology accessible to a wider range of buyers.
Modern and Appealing 2024 Toyota Corolla Design
The current generation Toyota Corolla debuted in 2019 for the hatchback model and 2020 for the sedan. Even years later, the 2024 Corolla maintains a sharp and contemporary design, striking a pleasing balance between sporty aesthetics and understated elegance.
The front fascia features slim, sharply styled headlights flanking a compact grille, positioned above a more prominent lower air intake. Sportier SE, XSE, and Nightshade Edition trims adopt a more aggressive front bumper design, complemented by a rear spoiler and eye-catching alloy wheels. While the rear design of the sedan might be considered somewhat conservative, the five-door hatchback exhibits a sportier rear profile, characterized by sharper taillights and a dynamic, forward-leaning stance. The GR Corolla distinguishes itself with subtly flared front and rear bumpers to accommodate wider fenders and a uniquely reshaped rear bumper that proudly showcases its distinctive triple center-mounted exhaust outlets. While a base Corolla LE sedan might not be poster material, even the most affordable Corolla trims possess a degree of visual flair without appearing overly stylized or gaudy.
Uncluttered and User-Friendly 2024 Toyota Corolla Interior
The current Corolla’s understated and well-designed dashboard has been a consistent highlight since its introduction, and it continues to hold up well, particularly for those who appreciate a straightforward interior layout over an overly digitalized cockpit.
The dashboard design features a horizontal orientation, spanning across the cabin rather than cascading down into the center console. This design is punctuated by graceful lines and a neatly organized cluster of easily accessible and intuitive controls. The overall impression is one of clean simplicity, enhanced by the use of quality materials throughout the dashboard. While the interior is generally well-executed, some minor details could be improved. Toyota’s updated infotainment system, while functional, doesn’t feel perfectly optimized for the Corolla’s modest 8-inch touchscreen. The same system feels more at home and user-friendly on larger screens, such as the 14-inch display found in the Toyota Tundra, where icons and text are larger and easier to interact with. However, the inclusion of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mitigates this issue, allowing users to bypass the factory system entirely and utilize their preferred smartphone interface. Cost-saving measures are evident in areas like the basic roofliner and the undamped center console storage bin. Despite these minor shortcomings, the 2024 Corolla’s interior ambiance largely conveys a sense of welcoming simplicity and practicality.
Adequate Passenger and Cargo Space in the 2024 Corolla
The Toyota Corolla might not be the most spacious sedan in the compact class, but it provides comfortable seating for two adults and remains functional for carrying four passengers. Certain trim levels offer more sculpted “sport seats” in the front, providing enhanced lateral support, although truly sporty seats are reserved for the GR Corolla model. The GR Corolla and other Corolla hatchback variants offer less rear passenger space compared to the sedan, particularly in terms of rear legroom, due to the hatchback’s more compact overall dimensions.
In terms of cargo capacity, the Corolla sedan provides a trunk offering 13.1 cubic feet of space – respectable but not exceptional for the compact sedan segment. The hatchback configuration offers 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, although the floor area is somewhat smaller. The hatchback’s key advantage lies in its versatility; folding down the rear seats creates a larger, more easily accessible cargo area. While the total cargo volume isn’t massive, even when compared to rivals like the Subaru Impreza or Honda Civic hatchbacks, the Corolla hatchback is significantly more practical for tasks like transporting larger items or making trips to furniture stores than the sedan counterpart.
2024 Toyota Corolla: Easy and Pleasant Driving Dynamics
The 2024 Toyota Corolla delivers agreeable ride and handling characteristics, typical of a competent compact economy car. Certain trims, such as the SE sedan and the XSE and Nightshade Edition in both sedan and hatchback forms, are equipped with larger 18-inch wheels. These larger wheels contribute to a slightly firmer ride quality compared to the 16-inch wheels found on LE and XLE trims, but the difference is not dramatic or uncomfortable. With the exception of the performance-focused GR Corolla, no model in the Corolla lineup is intended to be a thrilling sports car on winding roads. However, the 2024 Corolla is consistently easy to drive and possesses the inherent agility of a smaller vehicle, making it well-suited for daily commutes and urban environments.
The standard powertrain for the 2024 Corolla consists of a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. This engine produces 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, figures that are above average for the compact economy car class. Despite these respectable numbers, the engine’s performance is described as serviceable rather than exciting, and it can become somewhat noisy under harder acceleration. Interestingly, the Corolla Hybrid powertrain often feels more responsive in everyday driving situations, even though it records a slightly slower 0-60 mph acceleration time of around 9.5 seconds in track testing.
Unleashing Performance: The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla
While most Corolla buyers prioritize practicality and efficiency, the GR Corolla caters to driving enthusiasts seeking a more exhilarating experience. This high-performance variant transforms the Corolla hatchback into a 300-horsepower, all-wheel-drive sports car, complete with a manual transmission.
The GR Corolla achieves a 0-60 mph sprint in a thrilling 5 seconds. However, the raw speed is only part of its appeal. The engine’s aggressive growl and the precise action of the manual transmission make even moderate acceleration runs feel engaging and rewarding. Furthermore, the GR Corolla boasts firm and communicative steering that feels natural and responsive across the speed range, avoiding the artificial numbness often found in modern performance cars. While the GR Corolla is undeniably stiffer, louder, and significantly more expensive than a standard Corolla, it stands as a genuinely impressive performance machine in its own right. However, Toyota doesn’t currently offer a mid-range performance option to bridge the gap between the standard Corolla and the extreme GR Corolla. Enthusiasts seeking a balance of sportiness and practicality might consider either fully embracing the GR Corolla or exploring sportier alternatives like the Honda Civic Si or Mazda3.
Excellent Fuel Efficiency Across the 2024 Toyota Corolla Lineup
Fuel economy is a significant strength of the 2024 Toyota Corolla. The most fuel-efficient models, the front-wheel-drive LE and XLE hybrid sedan trims, achieve impressive EPA estimates of 53 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, and 50 mpg combined. Other hybrid trims and all-wheel-drive versions offer slightly lower but still excellent figures, with AWD SE and Nightshade models rated at 47 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined. In real-world testing, our AWD SE hybrid test vehicle averaged a commendable 45 mpg over a week-long evaluation.
The gasoline-only Corolla models are also fuel-efficient, outperforming many competitors in their class. The EPA rates the LE sedan and SE hatchback at 32 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. Other gasoline-powered trims achieve slightly lower figures, typically around 1 mpg less. In recent testing, we observed 35 mpg in an XSE sedan and 32 mpg in an XSE hatchback. For drivers who frequently encounter stop-and-go traffic, the hybrid powertrain is a worthwhile investment, justifying its $1,500 price premium through significant fuel savings, particularly in city driving. However, the fuel savings become less pronounced on open highway driving. Lastly, the high-performance GR Corolla, as expected, prioritizes performance over efficiency, with EPA estimates of 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined when using premium fuel.
2024 Toyota Corolla Competitors
The Honda Civic remains the Corolla’s most traditional and significant competitor. However, in the current market, the Civic and Corolla occupy slightly different segments. The Honda Civic offers significantly more interior space and a more premium feel, evident in its refined interior and carefully tuned ride and handling. The Civic also offers an optional turbocharged engine that delivers smooth and robust power while achieving even better fuel economy than the Corolla’s 2.0-liter engine. A new Civic Hybrid model is also anticipated for the 2025 model year, further enhancing its competitive position. The primary trade-off is that the Honda Civic generally carries a higher price tag than the Corolla.
For buyers prioritizing basic, economical transportation, the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and Nissan Sentra represent the Corolla’s closest rivals. These models often come with slightly lower starting prices, and the Elantra and Sentra offer a wider array of optional luxury features. Among these competitors, only the Hyundai Elantra is available as a hybrid, and in this configuration, the Corolla Hybrid often presents a more affordable option. Toyota’s long-standing reputation for reliability remains a key selling point for the Corolla. In the hatchback segment, the Honda Civic Hatchback, Mazda3 Hatchback, and Subaru Impreza Hatchback are leading alternatives. The Civic Hatchback, similar to the sedan, offers more space and a more upscale experience but at a higher price. The Subaru Impreza Hatchback is spacious and affordable but suffers from less impressive fuel economy. The Mazda3 Hatchback excels in driving dynamics, interior refinement, and overall desirability but offers less passenger and cargo space and only average fuel economy. Another hatchback alternative is the Kia Soul, based on the Forte, which is practical and functional but lacks the sporty styling of the Corolla hatchback. Finally, the GR Corolla competes with high-performance models like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R, delivering a raw and engaging driving experience at a potentially lower price point, although its competitors generally offer more spacious interiors.
Final Verdict: The 2024 Toyota Corolla as a Long-Term Choice
In this review, we aimed to determine if the 2024 Toyota Corolla is a vehicle well-suited for long-term ownership. Our conclusion is that it presents a mixed bag, depending on individual priorities. Driving enthusiasts will find much to love in the exhilarating GR Corolla, but the rest of the Corolla lineup is less focused on driving excitement. Technophiles may appreciate wireless smartphone integration but might find the 8-inch touchscreen somewhat small. Families seeking maximum interior space might find the Corolla somewhat lacking.
Therefore, the 2024 Toyota Corolla isn’t universally perfect. However, it remains an excellent choice for a broad spectrum of buyers. It boasts appealing styling, competent driving dynamics, respectable fuel economy, and, crucially, a strong reputation for reliability. While it’s always advisable to compare the Corolla against roomier, more engaging to drive, or more budget-friendly competitors, the 2024 Toyota Corolla’s well-rounded capabilities and enduring reputation for dependability make it a solid and sensible long-term vehicle for many owners.
