2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid AWD Review: All-Wheel Drive Without the Fuel Penalty

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most significant vehicles in this country. Toyota has sold more than 50 million Corollas in its history, and more than 1.6 million in Canada alone. It’s long been one of the most popular cars in the country for many great reasons, and last year it surpassed the Honda Civic as the best-selling car in Canada. Coming off a recent refresh, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid has been made even better with the addition of all-wheel drive.
AutoTrader.ca Editor-in-Chief Jodi Lai reviews the hybrid version of Toyota's compact sedan. With the Corolla, Toyota seems to have found a winning formula, so what can Canadian drivers expect with the addition of AWD?
Read the full review on AutoTrader.ca:
www.autotrader.ca/editorial/2...

[@JuneNeko]

3:22 Hey Jodi, The Corolla Hybrid has a planetary gear CVT not the physical first gear + belt of the Corolla naturally aspirated 2.0. The extra oomph at low speeds comes from the electric motors being much more powerful this generation. Also, to the Autotrader Canada team, please take note of whether each car has room for a spare tire. I have driven the 2023 AWD Corolla hybrid and was disappointed to find there is no room in the trunk.

[@ethimself5064]

no spare tire?

[@jaywhy2016]

@@ethimself5064 A lot of vehicles don't have spare tires nowadays, just a "fixaflat" kit. It all has to do with making the car lighter to improve the emission numbers the government wants to see. With the Toyota hybrids though, where the spare tire use to be, that space it taken up by the rear electric motor so you can't add a spare even if you wanted to.

[@ethimself5064]

@@jaywhy2016 Kinda stupid in my opinion.

[@parimenides]

Found the review funnier, more interesting, and more informative than what I was expecting from Autotrader; cheers!

[@autotrader_ca]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words! We try to have some fun! -Jodi

[@lynna143j]

Just purchased the hybrid 2023 today and so far I love it. I got the same color

[@rightlanehog3151]

Jodi, Recently Dan was in Europe and after driving their British built, long wheelbase, FWD Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid wagon he proclaimed it to be, "One of the best cars I have ever driven." 🎉🎉🎉🎊When do you get an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan to test the regular wheelbase Corolla Touring AWD Hybrid wagon?🤔 FYI The 'ECVT' in the Corolla and Prius Hybrids does not have a first gear. The Toyota CVT with a real first gear is found in the non-Hybrid, 2.0 Corolla. BTW I have alerted the Ontario Ministry of Labour about your sadistic torture testing of the defenseless intern. 🤣😂🤣

[@autotrader_ca]

AH yes you're right about the CVT, I was definitely confusing the two! Thanks for pointing it out and thanks for your support as always! Our intern Felipe was an absolute pleasure to work with. Can't see where he will wind up! -Jodi

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@autotrader_ca 😉

[@alienamnesiac]

Thanks for the review. Do you know if the LE has a push-button start? I'm seeing a lot of mixed info about that, and some reviewers are showing a key ignition. My local dealer tells me it's push-button though. I have one coming on order and can't figure out if it's going to be push-button or key ignition!

[@danilika9420]

In Canada, the LE Hybrid has push-button start; I believe the gas-only version needs the LE Upgrade package to include it.

[@alienamnesiac]

@@danilika9420 Thanks!

[@dominicfong6341]

The vehicle being tested by you is a hybrid and is mated to an E-CVT, only the non-hybrid version has a physical 1st gear in the CVT.

[@nirmalsingh2094]

Accurate review. Thx

[@Alex-is-a-daddy]

basics of the ecvt transaxle is its not an CVT

[@garrymilner3294]

Thanks Jodi. I own and drive a 2004 Toyota Matrix- just a Corolla wagon. I have owned it since June 7 2004. It has 489000 km on it. I think it may be time to look at a new Corolla.

[@rightlanehog3151]

I have been living the Pontiac Vibe dream since April 2005. In comparing the Matrix to today's Corolla I am struck by how low the roof line and seating position are in 2023. In sedan or hatch form, today's Corolla offers far more features but far less practicality .

[@autotrader_ca]

WOW 489,000 km is incredible! Thanks for watching! -Jodi

[@bho6486]

@@rightlanehog3151 I have been wondering for a while now why in so many new vehicles, you sit so low. It seems like auto makers are self fulfilling why people are leaving cars and going to SUV's. More people want to sit up higher but cars keep getting lower. I have thought that some cars could have kept going if they just raised them up and added 'rugged' body cladding (like the Subaru Crosstrek). Thinking of the Honda Fit as an example.

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@bho6486 You hit the nail on the head! Frustrated coupe designers are taking revenge on potential sedan buyers with increasingly low, sleek, sloping and thoroughly impractical four door designs. The sales results clearly demonstrate practical people are literally being forced into bloated CUVs just to get a comfortable ride height and useful cargo space.

[@EmilyKatherine-ks7vu]

489000 kms!!!!!! amazing!!!

[@andyhawkins7988]

watch 1:00 to 1:12 on 0.25 playback speed. thank me later 😂

[@dymo7607]

that's not what B mode does... but aight.

[@dadgarage7966]

The key to becoming an automotive journalist (especially in Canada) is to have wealthy parents or a wealthy partner or both. Otherwise, it's advisable to become something certifiable like an accountant or an electrician.

[@shift2rockz858]

Care to elaborate? I've always aspired to pursue a career in automotive journalism, but your outlook has me second guessing my decision. I would to hear more

[@dadgarage7966]

@@shift2rockz858 For starters, always proofread everything.

[@luxurybuzz3681]

​@@shift2rockz858If you want to be an automotive journalist, then go be an automotive journalist. "Don't let your dreams be dreams. Just do it." - Shia LaBeouf

[@peters9793]

Girl with a p hat