Written by Marco Carvajal
I am test driving the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE through Central Florida. Good style and value that you can trust when driving through long highways or in busy congested cities. The classic Corolla sedan is attractive and has great purchasing value, but the Corolla Hatchback is even more attractive and stylish with its curvy sporty shape, a fun car to drive, with pricing starting at $20,565.
It is difficult to find a driver who does not recognizes Toyota’s car model Corolla, it is such a well known brand name, but not everyone knows the Corolla Hatchback, is still very new among many car buyers, but totally worth a test drive.
Corolla
Corolla is one of the most successful cars in the history of Toyota automobiles. There have been 12 generations since 1996, with more than 46 Million Corollas sold.
When we say Corolla, we automatically think about Toyota. The word Corolla brings to my mind value, good price, good fuel economy, hassle free repairs and maintenance and good look. Toyota’s prestigious Corolla brand model has been imprinted in our minds for many years, the fruit of Toyota’s successful work to produce a good car at a good price.
The Corolla has been a great entry level car into Toyota’s brand through several generations. Consumers know what to expect, great value for a great car. Large part of the success of the Corolla comes from its great value.
The Toyota Corolla is assembled at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Blue Springs, Mississippi where 1,500 Toyota workers are employed. Now in 2021 the new Corolla will start to be produced on the new Toyota plant in a joint-venture with Mazda, the new plant in Huntsville, Alabama. This new plant will be employing about 4,000 workers and producing about 300,000 cars per year.
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
The Corolla Hatchbacks is small and available for a low price, but don’t let the size and pricing deceive its power. This hatchback combines the robust TNGA-C platform, responsive multi-link rear suspension, and a powerful 168-horsepower 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine with Torque of 151 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
This fast engine includes high efficiency for great performance on the road. The optional 6 speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT) features optimized fuel economy.
Since the Corolla Hatchback was launched back in 2018, it draw hatchback enthusiasts info the Corolla family. Drivers are attracted by its sporty styling, enhanced driving dynamics, and for those who like speed control switching gears, the available intelligent manual transmission is a plus.
The new 2021 Corolla Hatchback is very similar to the previous 2020 hatchback model. New features for the 2021 model includes the Corolla Hatchback Special Edition featuring a sporty exterior including a more aggressive body kit, sporty side skirts, and the sporty rear spoiler. Also new for 2021 more colors, enhanced cargo space and new safety features.
The new exterior style adds two new expressive colors: Magnetic Gray Metallic and Wind Chill Pearl. The new look includes Slim, J-shaped Bi-Beam LED headlamps in the front fenders. The all-LED taillamps include a diffusing inner lens.
The XSE trim model upgrades the SE model interior with nice features like dual-zone climate control, combination leather-trimmed seating, unique stitching on the instrument panel and doors, heated front seats, and an eight-way power driver’s seat.
The Hatchback XSE includes a high qualit Audio system with 8-inc. touchscreen; six speakers; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility; Safety Connect trial; Wi-Fi Connect; Siri Eyes Free; Auxiliary audio jack and USB 2.0 port with iPod connectivity and control; AM/FM; MP3/WMA playback capability; Sirius XM trial, hands-free phone capability; voice recognition and music streaming via Bluetooth, HD Radio and Weather/Traffic info; Connected Services; Service Connect and Remote Connect trials. A lot of advanced interior features included standard on the XSE trim.
The optional JBL 8-speaker, 800-watt premium audio system includes Clari-Fi which analyzes and restores audio signals for greater quality.
Corolla Hatchback XSE Fuel Economy
The hatchback includes very reasonable and competitive fuel economy when using the standard CVT automatic transmission, producing 33 Miles Per Gallon Combined, 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG in the highway, something that we expect from Toyota’s compact cars, not only great pricing, but also low cost to drive.
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE Highlights:
- Standard CVT automatic transmission
- Available 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT)
- Engine 2.0L 4-cyl. with Dual VVT-1, CVT
- 168-horsepower
- Torque of 151 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
- 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
- 5 leather-trimmed heated sport seats
- Premium leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel
- Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold function
- Chrome front upper grille surround
- Dual zone automatic climate control
- Chrome front upper grille surround
- Dual zone automatic climate control
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor are standard on the top of the line XSE trim model
- 10 airbags in total
- 7-inch Multi-Information Display (MID)
- Toyota Audio Plus, standard on XSE, adds HD Radio and Weather/Traffic info; Connected Services; Service Connect and Remote Connect trials.
- Audio Plus includes 8-inch touchscreen display
- Available Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL speakers
- Enhanced Cargo Space
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0)
- All 2021 Corolla models include new safety features
- LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with auto on/off feature
- LED taillights
- SiriusXM
Trims and Pricing
The 2021 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available for sale in 3 trim types: SE, SE Nightshade and XSE. Pricing goes from $20K to $23K depending on the model selected.
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE
- $20,565 Starting MSRP
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE Nightshade Edition
- $22,565 Starting MSRP
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE
- $23,515 Starting MSRP
Safety Features
The new 2021 Corolla Hatchback is very safe, including rear seat mounted side airbags for a total of 10 airbags in this compact sedan. Among other features, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitor is standard on the top of the line XSE trim model.
The Corolla is all about value, it is wonderful to be able to buy a car for $23K including so many standard safety features, where you have to pay for optional fees for the same safety features with other car models.
Every 2021 Corolla Hatchback models comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist technologies including:
- Pre-Collision System with Daytime/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, plus Daytime Bicyclist Detection
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (CVT only)
- Lane Tracing Assist (CVT only)
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Automatic High Beams
- Road Sign Assist
All Corolla Hatchback models are built with Star Safety System, an integration of advanced safety technologies designed to enhance traction, braking and more.
Behind the exterior grille-mounted Toyota badge you can find a millimeter way radar that help detect vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback definitely a great buy
The new 2021 luxury hatchback is a great choice for those interested to drive a sport compact hatchback sedan priced between $20K to $23K. The new available colors and the new aggresive sporty exterior makes this new Corolla more attractive with new additions like increased cargo space, sporty side skirts, a rear spoiler and more safety features. The 2021 Toyota Hatchback is fun to drive with a cool sporty look.
