Toyota is revving up excitement for hatchback enthusiasts with the introduction of the 2021 Corolla Hatchback Special Edition. This model, designed for those who appreciate expressive styling and vibrant colors, arrives with a custom body kit and a striking Supersonic Red paint finish, giving it the appearance of a vehicle straight from a top-tier customization shop. Understanding the desire for exclusivity among drivers of factory-custom vehicles, Toyota is limiting the production of these eye-catching, red-hot hatchbacks to just 1,500 units for the 2021 model year.
A vibrant Supersonic Red 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition showcasing its custom body kit and sporty design.
Arriving in dealerships in late summer, the Special Edition not only makes a bold visual statement but also incorporates safety and convenience enhancements that are standard across the entire 2021 Corolla Hatchback lineup. All 2021 Toyota Hatchback models benefit from the addition of rear seat-mounted side airbags, increasing the total airbag count to ten. Furthermore, for enhanced driver assistance, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor becomes standard on the XSE grade and is available as an option for the SE grade when equipped with the SE Preferred package.
Continuing the commitment to safety, all 2021 Corolla Hatchback models, including this Special Edition, are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. This suite includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Daytime/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, and Daytime Bicyclist Detection
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (for CVT models)
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Lane Tracing Assist (for CVT models)
- Road Sign Assist
For those who value practicality alongside style, the 2021 Toyota hatchback offers an Enhanced Cargo Space option, available at no additional cost for all models except the SE Nightshade. This feature optimizes cargo capacity by lowering the cargo floor, adding 6 cubic feet of space and bringing the total to 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats. This enhanced space comes by replacing the spare tire with a tire repair kit.
The 2021 Corolla Hatchback color palette is broadened with two new exciting options: Magnetic Gray Metallic and Wind Chill Pearl. Both of these new colors are also available with a contrasting Black Roof option, adding further customization. The existing range of colors for the 2021 Toyota hatchback includes Classic Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, Galactic Aqua Mica, and Blue Flame, ensuring a color to match every personality.
For the 2021 model year, Toyota is emphasizing driving enjoyment within the Corolla family, presenting special models in both hatchback and sedan configurations. Within the hatchback segment, the new Special Edition, based on the SE CVT grade, immediately commands attention with its exclusive Supersonic Red paint, black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels, and a distinctive body kit that rivals aftermarket options in both style and value. This bespoke body kit enhances the sporty appeal with a front splitter, side skirts, a black rear roof spoiler, rear bumper garnish, and a unique Special Edition badge, setting it apart from the standard models.
Side profile of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition, highlighting the custom side skirts and black alloy wheels as part of its unique body kit.
The aggressive styling of the body kit complements the inherent design of the Toyota hatchback, characterized by its curved, muscular stance, accentuated by sharp character lines and refined three-dimensional details. The Special Edition elevates the style quotient significantly, appealing to drivers who want to express their individuality and stand out from the crowd.
The sleek, J-shaped Bi-Beam LED headlamps that wrap deeply into the front fenders give the Corolla Hatchback a distinctive and modern front fascia, while also providing excellent illumination. The all-LED taillamps feature a diffusing inner lens, further emphasizing the Toyota hatchback’s solid and sporty stance. The 2021 Hatchback Special Edition hints at even greater excitement to come in the future of the hatchback segment.
The SE Nightshade Edition also makes a return for the 2021 model year, offering another style-focused option for the Toyota hatchback. This edition features blackout trim and blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels, available with exterior color choices of Classic Silver Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, or Super White. The blackout treatment extends to the lower rocker panels, front valance, door handles, mirror caps, shark fin antenna, rear roof spoiler, and headlight inner frames, creating a cohesive and assertive aesthetic. The SE Nightshade Edition comes standard with the CVT.
Under the hood, the Special Edition, like all Corolla Hatchbacks, benefits from the athletic TNGA-C platform, a responsive multi-link rear suspension, and the energetic 168-horsepower 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine. This engine is engineered to deliver both high-revving performance and impressive fuel efficiency, achieved through a high compression ratio (13:1), Toyota D4-S fuel injection that combines direct and port injectors, high-speed combustion, and intelligent variable valve-timing (VVT-iE on the intake side and VVT-i on the exhaust). The VVT-iE system uses an electric motor for more precise variable valve timing control.
Engine performance and efficiency are further optimized by a two-discharge port oil pump and a variable cooling system with an electric water pump. The enhanced cooling system also improves cabin heating in cold conditions and quicker cool-down when using the air conditioning. These advanced technologies, along with ultra-low internal friction, enable the Dynamic Force 2.0-liter engine to achieve a maximum thermal efficiency of 40 percent.
The Dynamic Shift CVT (continuously variable transmission), standard on the SE Special Edition, includes simulated 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic steps, Sport Mode, and paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience. Unique to this CVT is a gearset used as a launch gear for initial acceleration, which then smoothly transitions to the CVT’s pulley system, providing a distinct and responsive feel.
Interior view of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition, showcasing the multimedia touchscreen and modern cabin design.
The standard multimedia system in the Toyota hatchback continues to impress. For the SE grade, including the Special Edition, the Toyota Audio system features an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It also includes a trial for Safety Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, Siri Eyes Free, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port with iPod connectivity, AM/FM radio, MP3/WMA playback, SiriusXM All Access satellite radio trial, hands-free phone capability, voice recognition, and Bluetooth streaming.
Toyota Audio Plus, standard on the XSE and optional on SE (with CVT), adds HD Radio, weather and traffic information, Connected Services, Service Connect, and Remote Connect trials. The top-tier Premium Audio system, available for the XSE grade with CVT, delivers an exceptional audio experience with a JBL 8-speaker, 800-watt system featuring Clari-FiTM technology. This system enhances compressed digital audio formats and includes JBL Dynamic Voice Recognition, Dynamic Navigation trial, Dynamic POI Search, and Destination Assist Connect trial. The JBL system’s highlights include horn tweeters in the A-pillars, 6.7-inch door subwoofers, and sealed inner door panels for superior bass response. Connectivity is further enhanced with two USB ports and an AUX port.
Reflecting Toyota’s commitment to value, the Corolla Hatchback SE grade comes standard with single-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and paddle shifters (with the optional CVT). Additional standard features include an electronic parking brake, three-door SmartKey system, automatic up/down windows, and two front USB ports. The XSE grade builds upon the SE with dual-zone climate control, combination leather-trimmed seating, unique interior stitching, heated front seats, and an eight-way power driver’s seat, providing even greater comfort and convenience.
All 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback models are backed by Toyota’s 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle warranty, with additional warranties covering powertrain and corrosion. ToyotaCare, a no-cost maintenance plan, is also standard, covering factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years with unlimited mileage. The 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition is a testament to Toyota’s commitment to delivering stylish, fun-to-drive, and value-packed vehicles in the popular hatchback segment.
