2021 Toyota Corolla SE new car reviews

The latest Corolla has been with us for a few years, but it continues to do what Corollas do: deliver sensible transportation.

Editor’s note: While the photo shows the Corolla Apex, we drove the Corolla SE.

Other staff views

David S. Wallens
Editorial Director

This or the all-new Civic? Or do you go with a Kia or Hyundai?

The Corolla has more less been off our radar since the ’80s, but the latest represents a bit of a return. No, sorry, there’s no GT-S model, but for a smaller sedan, it does excel. It’s roomy without being big.

And the looks. The Corolla, kinda like the Camry, went for a bit plain to rather stunning.

I know that we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but despite fears that all cars would eventually resemble jelly beans, here we are with each band having its own design language. Toyota? Kinda edgy, a huge upgrade in just a few short years.

Our test car had the CVT, and they're continuously improving. Most people shopping in this class, to be honest, probably won't notice. A real six-speed manual, though, can be ordered with the SE and SE Apex models.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for the car, though: changing tastes in the marketplace. Are people still buying these smaller sedans, or have the smaller utes pretty much taken over this segment?

If you need/want a smaller sedan, put this on the list. It’s basically the Corolla of small sedans.

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