2021 Toyota Corolla HATCHBACK Nightshade Edition Review | To Manual, or Not to Manual?

Toyota brought back the hatchback body style for the Corolla in the 2019 model year and we've wanted to get our hands on one ever since. This particular car, a 2021 Corolla SE Hatchback Nightshade, was loaned to us by Toyota for a week making it our FIRST PRESS CAR! So let's explore all we learned driving this peppy little five-door and see if it's a hot hatch in the making or all talk and no go.
#Toyota #Corolla #HotHatch
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[@jjjjentges]

Just bought a 2021 Corolla Hatch XSE 6MT. Really enjoy it. Would never guess it is related to the 1998 Corolla VE I had back in high school.

[@ClayAllenIsCool]

I have notifications turned on for only 2 channels. Yours and Trixie Mattel. Love the content!

[@gearsandqueers]

We do not deserve such an honor! Thank u 💕

[@speedypt]

Great review. Balanced between use and features, good reasoning with your impressions. I'll keep watching if you keep doing quality reviews like this!

[@vaix77]

One of the best reviews out there. Thank you for giving me confidence in my XSE purchase.

[@jhersonlopez8087]

Loved it queens! I bought a black nightshade 3 months back . Agreed with everything you said

[@TD_JR]

I'm picking up a 2023 XSE - Classic Silver Metallic and plan on fitting it out to look like this. It won't be an exact match, because the XSE has more chrome edging, but that's fine since it fits in better with the classic silver metallic look. Also, the '23 come with the slate gray rims, but again, that fits well with the base color. I'll get black door handles, black spoiler, black shark fin, and black door mirrors when it's all finished.

[@jonmcclane7433]

Good review, fellas. My Wife just bought the 2022 Corolla nightshade in Black, and it looks really cool. Hers has a huge spoiler on the back. Anyways I’m gonna subscribe to you guys because you were cracking me up.

[@BuchholzGeoff]

Congrats on the press car! Outstanding!

[@gearsandqueers]

Thanks girlie 💞

[@jqueeryqueen2967]

Un, loved the review! I'm 99% positive that the XSE version of this will be my next car.

[@gearsandqueers]

We support that deeply

[@vicnew]

Thanks for making a car review both my boyfriend and I can enjoy! I agree, the wiper is the best feature 😂 Subscribed!

[@gearsandqueers]

So glad y’all liked it, thanks for the sub!

[@guyinnyc1]

Nice review! I have the 2019 SE with the upgrade that included blind side monitoring which I agree is critical with this car. Another sore point is general road noise, even with the quieter 17" tires. As an Android user I've been relying on Scout for navigation as android auto was unavailable in '19. Wondering if others are in same boat and how they like scout...

[@Deschain-um7jz]

Got a 19 Hatch XSE 6MT and it’s a blast to chuck around corners.

[@clux4057]

Great (concise!) review! As big as a fan of hatchbacks as I am and as great as I think the Corolla hatchback looks (minus the nightshade package), I feel like if I'm already going all rational with a Corolla I may just go ahead and get the much roomier sedan? What is it with this generation where I feel like this and the Mazda 3 hatchbacks are both severely compromised vs the sedan?

[@guyinnyc1]

Agreed. They sacrificed trunk and rear seat space for styling...

[@bri77uk1]

Great review guys, and well done Toyota! You can still get non-hybrid Corollas over there, though? Not that it's a bad thing, but in the UK we only have the choice of 1.8 or 2.0 hybrids, the 2.0 also having a 1st gear on the CVT to help deploy its 184hp.

[@gearsandqueers]

thank you! Yes, this is 2.0 non hybrid and the 1.8 non-hybrid is available in the sedan

[@AutumnCore24]

Loved this video I am actually getting this hatch soon in the nightshade SE . As a fellow gay, I am so glad I found your channel. It’s super refreshing

[@kmalex1114]

Thanks for the review! I drive a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 hatchback with a manual trans, and it is about time to look for a replacement, so I am appreciating the video reviews of this car. My heart is currently battling my head, which is telling me to buy a hybrid or EV. But the Corolla is a hatchback with a manual transmission!

[@troot1967]

Love the fact that the hatchback is offered in a manual but will they ever offer a sunroof/moonroof option in the hatchback?

[@bestatdoingnothing3941]

Very funny and honest review

[@WhySoSquid]

My Focus was a hatchback (..or a station wagon? I guess the ZTW was technically a wagon 🤷) but when it was totalled and I got my brother's '01 Corolla, which I still love..I *missed* that rear wiper 😅 I'd dig this if I could get a new vehicle 🤙

[@benmoorhouse88]

Overall it looks great but I'm not a fan of the kind of aftermarket looking Nightshade package. What's the tiny slot next to the shifter for?

[@gearsandqueers]

most likely the shift lock release

[@jrnumex9286]

good deal. i am looking at the manual and wouldn't to give up gas mileage for a hot hatch version if and when. i will turn the manual into 'nightshade" with a paint can

[@davidprosper3460]

I wish it had a sunroof!