The Toyota Corolla Hatchback Manual Is Shockingly Fun

[@deu8894]

Toyota nailed it with this 2019 Corolla hatch. Nice silhouette. Exterior design is aggressive but thoughtfully designed. Certainly looks better than the Civic hatchback. Toyota could take this a step further with a TRD version targeted at the Ford Focus ST/RS. civic SI/Type R and the Volkswagen Golf GTI/R. I'd definitely pick this over the sedan

[@BurnedAura68]

We are getting blessed with the Corolla GR soon. So thankful that Americans are finally getting something cool by Toyota lol.

[@joshl1383]

Manuals are always fun!

[@willb2268]

This is a great looking car both inside and out! Plus up to 42mpg for a fun to drive non-hybrid? Amazing.

[@Toyota4Life]

its a win win.

[@moribnd]

It won't do 42 mpg. That's the hybrid territory --only released in Europe.

[@willb2268]

@@moribnd The SE hatchback is rated at 42 mpg highway with the CVT.

[@saltie.7783]

Toyota4Life Why are you EVERYWHERE

[@Dansk55]

And no turbos + toyota engine.. Im sold. If I wasn't getting the Tacoma this would be the 2nd option.

[@F32Koto]

I might be looking at what will be my daily drive when they come to the used market. Something small, fun, inexpensive, manual and a good platform to modify if I ever decide to.

[@videofan25]

That's the exact mentality of the typical internet car enthusiast. Problem is, we need people to buy those so we can buy them used afterwards. But people with the money to buy a new car and willingness to take on the depreciation is not the "fun and manual car" type. Let's do ourselves and #savethemanuals a favor and let's get out buy these cars to enjoy before this turns into another failed please-internet-with-manual-transmission experiment and Toyota decides to drop it for lack of sales. Let's vote with our wallets. $20K is not too bad anyways considering Toyota's typical resale value and durability. I sold my (bought new) 2006 manual Corolla S with 100K+ miles, ZERO problems EVER and regret to this day. Still on the road 60k miles later and not one problem yet.

[@kelvinlee7318]

2019 Corolla Hatchback SE upgrade with CVT for me. 2020 Corolla SE upgrade with the manual for my wife. Vehicles are twins, both are a hoot to drive and we find both vehicles quiet.

[@joshhenly]

Do you notice any significant difference in the handling between the two? Most of the reviews I've seen of the SE hatch praise the handling. Is the sedan about as good? The cars are very similarly sized and on the same platform, so I would assume so.

[@kelvinlee7318]

@@joshhenly After a few months in each, getting a feel for the two still. The hatch is different, tighter, rides better but the 18" wheels feel a lot of road for both vehicles. The six speed is fun to drive in our sedan. as the hatch is a CVT. There is more space in the sedan for sure but honestly, you can't go wrong with either. We get asked, "Is that a Corolla? a lot! Both turn heads.

[@MrChevybaja]

first Corolla i have liked since the FX16

[@DS..69]

Isn't that a jet plane. Lol

[@louiei.1552]

@@DS..69 Its basically a front wheel drive ae86.

[@Toyota4Life]

the 2005 corolla XRS was dope. 8000rpm 6 speed manual, LSD and yamaha tuned engine... dont ever forget this model

[@MrChevybaja]

@@Toyota4Life had it in my Vibe GT. Doesn't mean i like any corollas since the fX :)

[@Toyota4Life]

Mrchevy baja that vibe just had the engine it didn’t have the suspension setup the corolla had. To get the best experience with that engine was either in the XRS corolla or celiac

[@Anthony-uu4hq]

Yeah I definitely didn't get mine on accident. I had to go to several Toyota dealerships before I could find one with a manual transmission, which is what I got. It's the XSE model, so it wasn't anywhere near $19k, more like $27.5k.

[@andreasm2882]

Your description of this vehicle sounds a lot like a Mazda Miata, not huge horsepower but fun to drive plus it is even more practical

[@Toyota4Life]

Best Hatchback on the market. Alot has been left on the table with this car i feel theres for a serious performance car

[@NashKetchum]

Toyota4Life yea man, it definitely has the bones for a hot hatch variant. Let’s see where Toyo takes it

[@jeffmorse645]

Local dealership has a 2020 just like this one in the test (same color and a manual) for less than 23K. I think I'm going to take a test drive. It looks to be the most MPG, practicality, reliability and fun I can get for the least amount of money.

[@8uckshot]

I got one for about that...manual. only getting just over 30mpg cuz we zip around in this mf

[@Soh90]

The Corolla Hatch is sort of Toyota’s “engineering special”. A car they built for enthusiasts without saying they built it for enthusiasts. Those who want a Corolla will simply just buy the Corolla sedan. But those who want the hatch, know what they’re getting. That’s why it’s only available in SE and XSE grade. Think about it, rev happy 4 cylinder, closely geared 6 speed stick with rev matching function, and an expensive double wishbone rear suspension. It a 5 door, FWD 86! The Corolla Hatch is nearly 10” SMALLER than the other hatch in this segment. Nearly 10” smaller than cars it’s “supposed” to compete with. In about 20 years these thing will be crazy in the aftermarket with Camry V6’s dropped into them. They’re cheap enough for ole ty of people to buy but have ALL the necessary hardware including a very stiff chassis, fancy suspension bits, and a manual transmission that can be beefed up to take more power. I e seen this happen before with plenty of Civics and I just want to thank Toyota for this.

[@moribnd]

The most appealing thing about this car is that it's significantly less expensive than the mid-level Golf GTI with heated seats and that it looks kinda good --mostly due to the wheels and the Yokohamas that come on it. For the lower price, you get some more fuel efficiency than the Golf, but you get far less torque and far less refinement in both exterior and interior design. One last thing: this car's wheels actually have a better-looking design than the current Golf GTI; don't know what the Germans think they're trying to do with their current wheel/spoke face designs.

[@eVerProductions1]

On the low supposedly they’re gonna make a trd version, but Toyota wants to see what’s priority first ;)

[@shinrips]

@@moribnd, True, far less torque but less refinement? Depends what you mean by refinement. To me, the Corolla Hatch is very refined.

[@underwearpower]

This car does not have rear double wishbone suspension

[@Cepheid-IDM]

@@eVerProductions1 any official word on that? Or is this just speculation? A trd version I would buy in a heartbeat

[@andrewyokem1091]

RoadandTrack Nice choice in color, that is my car. It is quite nice, as it breaks in the car gets even better.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

How has it gotten better Andrew?

[@andrewyokem1091]

@@buildmorefarms1007 The car grew more and more responsive as it got miles on it, also the exhaust note evened out some. It was a demo car for me at a dealership but when it was time to turn it in at one year and 10,000 miles I struggled to want to let it go.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

@@andrewyokem1091 Wow! Was it a manual transmission?

[@troot1967]

Add a sunroof/moonroof option and i'd buy one tomorrow.

[@tatialo37]

I want one in white!

[@jaymase3735]

Between this and the new CHR, Toyota has been nailing it this year!

[@Steven_Rowe]

I have just bought one for practical safe and reliable transport that is cheap to run. Yes it looks sporty but is no speed demon, bit then again is fun all about power????? You can enjoy driving car without getting your self into a hissy fit because it wont do the standing quarter in under 7 seconds. Perhaps leave ego at home and go for a fun and enjoyable drive.

[@moonsapling]

Something to finally change my 2004 D4D Corolla for!

[@MDC2020]

All I gotta say is add 50 more Harsepurs and All wheel drive!

[@lilth501]

That's the peacock black colour which looks like it's a slight blue tinge to it

[@bimmerlife5452]

Wish they made turbo 220 hp

[@NashKetchum]

Supra TT lol wut

[@bimmerlife5452]

Erik 300 Hp is to much for this car 220 will just right amount Hp to really enjoy have some fun

[@bimmerlife5452]

Erik that is the point under powered ILX 200 hp 6MT really fun drive they should of it list make 200 plus

[@phuot1]

A nice Corolla, finally!

[@Toyota4Life]

They always been nice thats why they sale so much. If they wasnt nice people wouldnt buy

[@MustPassTruck]

I just want to know if the 3.5 will fit for 300+hp

[@SockyNoob]

Man I wish I could have one of these.

[@newerafrican]

It's more fun to drive a slower car fast than to drive a fast car slow(ly).

[@jacoe33333]

Best looking hatch ever.

[@rj8954]

Corolla Hatchback new or GT86 used???

[@smithsfan425]

Depends on usage, this things much more practical. If you don’t need the space and are driving oriented though, the 86 is the way to go.

[@gaivoron]

Isn't Civic SI about 3k more?

[@tropicalstorm339]

More like $5k more.

[@donfinkey692]

This car is 25,000 if it’s the xse.

[@Toyota4Life]

but this looks cooler.

[@huehuehue-x3c]

@@donfinkey692 XSE with a manual transmission sells for $20K around here, and I live in a high demand market

[@huehuehue-x3c]

the Si also gets worse fuel economy, is turbo so less longevity and more servicing required, and people are reporting common problems with the new turbo engines

[@Maxmotor2008]

"Hatchbacks don't sell very well".. Well maybe in the US but that's a bit of a broad sweeping statement. In the UK hatchbacks are super popular..

[@NashKetchum]

Harry Brookman they’re American reviews reviewing an American model in America when discussing Toyota’s sales strategy to try and sell a hatchback in America. So yea, I think ignoring the U.K. in this instance was reasonable.

[@OTPulse]

@@NashKetchum Your point is spot on. But it's a bummer that other regions get different models of this car. I'm in Australia and I just purchased a new Manual Corolla and Toyota literally make Manuals to order and each zone has specific models and Aus only gets the base model ( Ascent Sport) in Manual. So as an Australian getting a review of our Manual is impossible, there is literally Zero. And the UK get a different engine to Aus/USA.

[@NashKetchum]

OTPulse manuals are very rare here too in the US, which is a shame. Enthusiasts everywhere like em, and you shouldn’t have to buy a muscle car or an M3 to get a decent manual. At least Toyota makes a good one available here thankfully.

[@OTPulse]

@@NashKetchum The thing with Australia is the car manufacturers follow USA trends when selling to Australia but in reality Australian car buying mentality is more inline somewhat between Europe and the USA but probably more Europe (Manual > Auto) in the small to mid size cars Manuals are popular(M,50% A,50%) but Family cars Autos are popular(M,20%,A,80%) going by they split I see in second hand cars from when we made cars in Australia. Now they closed all car manufacturers here only Mazda has Manuals in car yards new(Small cars like Corrolla, Mazda3, Ford Focus). I've spoken to many people who've gotten new cars but in Auto that said they actually wanted a manual but didn't want to wait for it.

[@donfinkey692]

Approachable? What’s that mean? 🤔

[@OTPulse]

Can only get the base model Ascent Sport in manual in Australia and even then they are made to order. So all the nice features in the two levels above are locked away from Manual drivers like myself. As much as Americans get shit for only driving Autos apparently Australia is even worse these days. Just 20yrs ago here most cars in this class were manual, but apparently not these days it's mostly Auto.

[@arislopes1924]

It would be even more fun if it was rwd 🤤

[@chocolatemagneto9679]

*AWD

[@jrnumex9286]

1:08 what he said.

[@Central-Scrutinizer]

Bring the wagon over, jack it up to 8" clearance and add AWD.

[@uralsmol6262]

what this car needs: 200whp, RWD or AWD what the toyota 86 should’ve been: 260whp at least from factory

[@ibradeybunch]

FWD is really fun to drive tho because you can give full throttle around corners as long as you don't understeer.

[@NashKetchum]

It’s not a sports car, what’s the point. Ever heard of the bottom line?

[@jonathanisenhour7923]

@@NashKetchum you're right, its not, but that little extra power helps sometimes getting around traffic on highways

[@bryanr93]

Not as cool as the Hyundai Veloster N, but much more practical.

[@CaliforniaMISC]

Too small and expensive, it should around 18 k Please bring European version Toyota Corolla Hybrid

[@tinhinnh]

CaliforniaMISC you’re not getting a stripped model here

[@BurnedAura68]

18k is not expensive for what you are getting. Its fairly cheap.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Make it rear wheel drive, and i'll buy one! Looks good thought.

[@NashKetchum]

Anibal Babilonia ...rwd commuter corolla?

[@davidmcc6666]

Too bad Toyota Australia won't give us the manual option.

[@yasaipicles6295]

I just don't get the whole manual drive mumbomjumbo. Why would I want to shift gears manually when there's an automatic system that'll do all the work for me. Just why? Why? Whay?

[@jonathans5695]

Because there are people out there that enjoy driving for the sake of driving. Not just to get where they're going.

[@BobO-zo2bi]

Because the hoes think it’s cool. Dude driving a manual gets laid much more than the one living with mother and driving auto

[@renegadedriver5028]

I like it.

[@davidlin2185]

this is caledl "auris" in Taiwan haha

[@Tooshi3Tom]

David lin yup, it’s called auris everywhere else in China as well.

[@davidlp3019]

Ooooooo I rlly want one of these

[@milkovas556]

You see Toyota. I see Mazda 3s from 2010

[@Toyota4Life]

Your blind. The mazda from end looks NOTHING like this Toyota and the rear end doesnt looks nothing like the mazda beside the fact that there both a hatch back the designs are totally different

[@tinhinnh]

Because taillights?

[@puns01]

You need glasses

[@ysfma755]

failed to show the interior.

[@moribnd]

It's not A, it's not B, and it's not even C. I wish it were C: sporty, real and hybrid fuel-efficient.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Great looks not enough power.

[@aldeenatar4147]

Honestly it's plenty enough power. It'll be a good merging and overtaking machine. If they make a GRMN version, this corolla would be a proper hot hatch. For a family car, or teenager, even college student car, I think it's just the right amount of performance, safety, and practicality.

[@DS..69]

Buy a Gt. Enough for anyone.

[@uralsmol6262]

it’s only enough power for you because you drive a boring car

[@Hboogie182]

"not enough power"...dude it's an econobox. I always laugh at noobs who expects 200hp on a $20k econobox.

[@etagged]

@@Hboogie182 Yup, 168 hp and 151 lbs of torque are more than respectable with those mpg ratings. Only thing that might be more well rounded is the Mazda3 GT, but its resell/residual value is way lower. Turbo makes the Civic feel way more powerful but it'll be a pain the ass to maintain in the future.

[@Kenneth1350]

Toyota can do more to it and still make it efficient come on toyota.

[@Toyota4Life]

I agree i feel like lot has been left on the table for this car

[@Kenneth1350]

@@Toyota4Life for the price they asking I'll go to Honda and get the new Si and 40mpg. ✌

[@Toyota4Life]

Kenny_Fa5 Honda does not look this good. Sorry 👎

[@Kenneth1350]

@@Toyota4Life sad but true as a big fan of Honda they've been going down hill. 😢

[@NashKetchum]

Kenny_Fa5 for the price you’d get a stripped down SI with nothing in it. Compare it to the base of this and you’re look a $5k savings. Plus your SI uses premium, which costs 15-20% more. Same argument goes both ways. Get your si fully loaded and you may as well spring for a barebone mustang or camaro

[@allenm6326]

Don't know why Toyota feel like they need to spend millions in research to make newer versions of their sports cars, all they have to do is get a decent engine making 200 hp and throw it on a hatchback corolla and advertise the crap out of it. Just let the potential buyers take care of suspension and wheel modes.

[@pr05]

There has to be a balance of performance and efficiency. Manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, and Mazda get it. Also, not every car has an aftermarket for it

[@NashKetchum]

200hp out of an efficient four banger is a lot. And Toyota sticks to their guns and refuses to use turbos. They’ve used them plenty of times before in their past sports cars. They know full well the long term effect they have on engine life. Toyota makes long lasting cars first and foremost. I respect their dedication to their ideal.

[@subvet3668]

@@NashKetchum, Toyota 86 has a 2.0 NA 4 cylinder making 205 HP. Would like to see that in this Corolla Hatch.

[@milkovas556]

Wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be a mazda platform with Toyota skin. Same think they did with Mazda 2 and they call it now scion $!#÷%×.

[@NashKetchum]

Definitely no. This was all Toyota, it uses the brand’s TNGA platform, which they’ve been moving all of their models to slowly. It has 40% more rigidity (or so they say). It’s why the corolla is so much more fun to drive than the last one.

[@lovelysergic]

Angry looking shoe bwhAhah

[@probegt75]

It's a Matrix not a Corolla

[@BobO-zo2bi]

Nope it’s a whole new design. Really nothing carries over

[@sandyshoremann7524]

Over-styled into ugliness. " Luke I am your father" fascia - NOOooo! But, its Nice to have another hatch option with the 6M. But ... you can source a lightly used BMW 5 series turbo with warranty for same $$ Sorry I did fall asleep during the review. Got to step it up, Rodent Rack!

[@IcanDriveIt]

I no longer like Toyota as a company. From failing to license their cars in racing video games to being either unable or unwilling to build a sports car without the collaboration of others to their unwillingness to build a turbocharged car, I’m beyond bored with their brand

[@midrangetorque]

Jack Gordon The new Supra (BMW) is turboed.

[@shortstories3349]

@@midrangetorque Isn't the engine from a BMW and the chassis from Toyo?

[@midrangetorque]

Martin Macias Correct.

[@shinrips]

I wish they put more juice under the hood for the Supra/FT1. Super sexy, especially when the Cal Tech guys rolled out their version. Ferarri-esque Lol

[@Toyota4Life]

You sound stupid and ignorant.