Toyota Corolla 2020 review

Is the Toyota Corolla the best hatch on sale - or would you prefer a Mazda 3 or Volkswagen Golf? The latest 2020 Corolla is the best one yet to drive, with excellent steering and a great chassis. In today's video, a review of the 2020 Toyota Corolla ZR 2.0L hatch, John revisits Toyota's small car, looking into its dynamics, practicality and value for money.
Watch our additional Corolla content:
Corolla sedan hybrid review: • Toyota Corolla sedan 2...
Corolla hybrid comparison: • RAV4 Hybrid vs Corolla...
What do you think of the Toyota Corolla? Is it outclassed by the Ford Focus or Hyundai i30? Is the boot too small? Should they bring the wagon version to Australia?
Let me know all of your thoughts in the comments.
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Covers the exterior, interior, engine and handling of the Toyota Corolla 2.0L 2020 / 2020 Corolla hatch.
READ our detailed Australian coverage of the 2020 Toyota range here: chasingcars.com.au

[@saulihedman8407]

Got my corolla 1,8 hybrid touring sports about four months ago. So i keep on smiling when driving 😊

[@vonsweeny]

Thank you for your brilliant review on this Corolla . Very insightful

[@timetoenjoylife8650]

Recently bought 2020 corolla ZR hybrid. I LOVE ITTT it’s super quite so sometimes makes me confused if my car is still on or off 😂and all the safety features r great 👍🏻 but the speed limit detection is bit confusing as he mentioned. I found tht a lot of ppl saying that this car is small but If you’re a short asian then this car will never be small ;)

[@fi105]

I had a test drive on this car and I loved every bit of it. Bought it on the spot as my Yaris is getting a little too small for me now. This is absolutely perfect car for my everyday need and I can't wait to drive it! Great review mate!

[@chasingcars]

Good purchase!

[@percymq]

Got mine today…pleasantly surprised!

[@TalismanPHX]

Great review. Wish we got a hybrid hatchback version of the Corolla here in America. Cheers from Arizona! 🌵🌵🌵

[@chasingcars]

Yep. The hybrid hatch is the best of both worlds … well, except for cargo space, of course!

[@Hunter45s]

Very good review!

[@hope4surf]

Love this car! Thanks!

[@chasingcars]

Glad you enjoyed the review, John!

[@kf6857]

Good review! I have the new Corolla hybrid :)

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, KF! The hybrid version is great, too.

[@yeebies9636]

Nice review - definitely one of the best looking hatches on the market at the moment. Though, I don't like the chrome that goes around the grille on the ZR model, prefer the front end of the SX with the black trim instead.

[@chasingcars]

Fair enough - though we think the ZR wheels are awesome.

[@stephen879]

Excellent review 👍

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Stephen!

[@harryhawk3542]

Great review, thanks for telling us how tall you are too! I've now got a really good idea of if I can fit in the car being a tall chap myself!

[@zevlegend4267]

I guess it is kinda randomly asking but do anyone know a good place to watch new tv shows online ?

[@calvindamon26]

@Zev Legend flixportal xD

[@zevlegend4267]

@Calvin Damon thanks, signed up and it seems like a nice service :D I appreciate it!!

[@calvindamon26]

@Zev Legend you are welcome :D

[@vica1104]

Will you be reviewing the sedan model? Would love to see a review of the sx hybrid sedan

[@chasingcars]

Hi Vic - we have done a comprehensive review on the Corolla sedan hybrid. It’s linked in the description of this video.

[@bobbysu6448]

Good one thanks

[@chasingcars]

No worries, Bobby.

[@theranjithjay]

I bought a Toyota Corolla hybrid 1.8 Lt SX hatch with 16 inch wheels which arrives in Australia in jan 2022 as old stocks are not available.

[@MLife1972]

Love that color. Makes it look a lot more expensive than it is. As for why it's down on sales, I'd suggest that Mazda and Toyota have decided that these cars are for young, single people with no luggage but that robs them of their core market which is families and older people looking for safe and practical transport. The other aspect is that the Corolla is quite big now - almost the size of an old Camry. Great review by the way and I liked how you demonstrated the sat nav voice recognition.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Mark. Agree you can’t just let the packaging go. Small cars still have to be roomy for four and have sufficient boot space for a couple of suitcases.

[@b.k.s.sthcoast]

Drove a 1.8L Toyota SX Hybrid recently. Better than the Mazda 3 so I placed an order.

[@lundsweden]

If you want an airier, better feeling in the back seats and room for luggage, get the sedan!

[@abidnessman]

Nice socks. So the rear seats do not fold down to open up space to trunk?

[@stephantranquille6681]

Cool review. and the Corolla looks the par. I used to own a 2007 model and was ever so pleased with it. I love the new sporty and more agressive look. Pity the engine didn't follow the trend. I trust it is still zippy enough though.

[@lundsweden]

I've driven the hybrid sedan, very powerful accelaration, excellent real fuel economy (4.0 l/100 kms). Excellent handling, steering and interiour too.

[@frankopanklaric]

How does the backseat and boot compare to the C-HR?

[@davidstevens4388]

how did the radr curse control go on the moter way was it good to test out

[@SmellyT0fu]

Cruise control on the stalk is more intuitive to use than buttons on the wheel. Each direction (lever up/down, push button, pull/push lever) on the stalk does one thing whereas the pushing action with the button on the wheel does something different (i.e. push, push, push, push, push.... ). You'll need to look at the wheel and/or feel the button shape to know which button you're pressing. For someone that is driving it for a short period of time, of course looking down is quicker to learn but long term wise, lever is much more logical.

[@chasingcars]

Very fair point.

[@vonsweeny]

Can anyone tell me ,do the back seats lay down so there’s access to the boot for placing things in boot through to back seats ?

[@theoneandonlyprince4514]

Toyota Corolla is indeed an amazing car

[@danielgroger742]

Is it normal for vibration in drive at stop at idle dealers says it normal

[@davidstevens4388]

i just orded my new Toyota corolla zr sedan in February have to wait 6 to 8 mounts for my delivery to come for me to pick up at my cmi toytoa deller in my home town in adelaide

[@Steven_Rowe]

I got the ZR and it's great, drives very well, loads of power unless your a hot tardy person The boot is tiny. It's not a family car due to rear seats and tiny boot. Having said all of that for the people its brilliant. Fuel ecconomy is 5.5 perhaps less on the freeway. It has a JBL stereo system and that is brilliant. Could has response unlike cheaper units where he bass sounds a bit muddy. The head up display is great. It has sports mode which I have tried but to be honest I just leave it in normal mode.

[@ptescort]

How much was the car?

[@anthonymindel5861]

Wish you could get the ZR sedan in hybrid,would be perfect for me .

[@chasingcars]

Agreed. We asked Toyota why they aren't doing it and the answer was that the ZR sedan accounts for a tiny percentage of sales - but they have not ruled out doing a ZR hybrid sedan in future.

[@NANGSGARAGE]

Nice little car

[@chasingcars]

Sure is.

[@davinp]

The problem with the voice control is that is only Apple Siri and not Google Assisstant/Voice. I prefer to use Google and I hate that Toyota had refused to support Android Auto and Google Voice which other cars have and is better than Apple. They've added Alexa in the new model

[@DronieUp]

Looks great! Maybe if it was a tad bigger?

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, a touch of extra length would have helped boot space and legroom, but at the detriment of cornering

[@revnto7k]

I have no idea why anyone would buy something like a CHR over a Corolla but the sales do show it. Also I am Canadian and our model has some small differences to this one. Pretty interesting to see. I love my hatch, just used as a comfortable daily, and it excels at that.

[@revnto7k]

@@mohamedalkaboom I don't consider them big differences except the seats. The ones in this car look amazing. Although the ones in mine are amazingly comfortable as it is.

[@MySonicDragon]

@@mohamedalkaboom Yeah just got an SE model in Canada and I don't believe we have the option for an upgraded sound system in any trim (even XSE) up here. It's a shame because that feels like the main sore point (other than of course the trunk size, but I went in knowing that and still have a van for any cargo needs). It's been pretty fun to drive though! Part of me thinks I'll end up saving up for a civic Type R in the next couple years though. Or we'll see what the Corolla GR ends up like.

[@garryhopkins]

Interesting what you said about the lack of height adjustment on the front passenger seat. That’s a total oversight by Toyota plus the seat is just mounted too high. I can see it in your video .. your driver’s seat is much lower than the front passenger’s. I would have bought a ZR Hybrid but need to be able to sit it the passenger’s seat from time to time. It was a total deal breaker because my head was hard up against the headlining. Expected more from the ZR.

[@chasingcars]

Yep, a big oversight. Now that it’s included on all Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Golf grades there is absolutely no justification for it.

[@limpunsing224]

A more appealing Corolla than the previous gen Nice review

[@chasingcars]

Thanks!

[@kg9836]

I my ZR last November and haven’t looked back....

[@chasingcars]

Good to hear you’re still liking the Corolla, Keith.

[@l4ndz3r]

can you fit mtb in that car?

[@VINvIN344]

corolla hatch is small inside in rear. doors dont open wide

[@davidknight8172]

What happened to his trousers?

[@russellchristison8425]

Hybrid Corolla wagon from Europe would be nice

[@chasingcars]

Totally agree, Russell.

[@lukelawrence6007]

I have this car 3 things i hate piano blaxk and small boot and electric park brake

[@Noname-iz9uo]

The boot is minute.

[@alwaysiyi272]

I love the corolla hatch and sedan, I wish they would make a trd or even a gr version, but I think the sales slump doesn't have anything to do with the car but with the changing segment, everyone wants crossovers now, that's why the RAV4 is now the best selling Toyota, this year and last year.

[@chasingcars]

A Corolla GR is almost a certainty. Really hoping they go ahead and build it.

[@alwaysiyi272]

@@chasingcars I was hoping maybe the 301 v6 from the xse Camry here in the states with a cold air intake to nake lie 310 hp, or maybe a crazy turbo 4, it shouldn't be that hard for the people who made a Yaris interesting and made the most powerful 3 cylinder engine in the world

[@chasingcars]

Even just transplanting that new Yaris GR three pot would be a good start

[@alwaysiyi272]

@@chasingcars It would be really good, but I feel people would avoid just because its a 3 cylinder which is sad

[@clairedaniels1877]

Iboy Dafreshest RAV4 is a suv, not a crossover

[@JFomo]

So what's new for the 2020 model?

[@chasingcars]

Wired CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and some two-tone paint colours on the ZR

[@JFomo]

@@chasingcars thanks, maybe next time say so in the video.

[@justindavis2711]

I can tell you why sales dropped off. Its because its extremely small with boot space smaller than a sedan.

[@sjcobra84]

Mt dream wheels lol. The AK47 of the motor industry.

[@jaredebeling1412]

Are you Toms brother?

[@karlamies3114]

Any chance of doing a Cerato GT sedan review?

[@chasingcars]

Can do.

[@ComedicInc]

Thank you chasing cars ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@karlamies3114]

Can't wait. Thanks guys.

[@AbeCastDrums]

Can't decide between this or Mazda 3 hatch 🤔

[@chasingcars]

Test drive both, if you haven’t already! Personally, I’d grab a Mazda 3 G25 with a manual gearbox - but you honestly cannot go wrong with either car. Unless you want a big boot.... in which case you should buy a Golf, anyway. -Tom

[@lukelawrence6007]

The tail lights are from lexus i believe makes the rear look. so sexy

[@zooks3894]

Mazda 3 has suffered 5 recalls so far...id wait for the series 2 or buy the corolla. Dont get the golf.

[@anthonymindel5861]

The sedan is a lot better than the hatch,as it’s boot is hugs ,and has a lot of rear seat legroom .

[@chasingcars]

Tend to agree. We made much the same remarks in our Corolla sedan review, which can also be found on this channel.

[@davinp]

Due to the popularity of SUVs and Crossovers, small car sales have fallen. Even Toyota and Honda are not immune to this.

[@chasingcars]

Correct

[@asjeot]

Great car, if only the boot wasn't SO small... At least it has a full size spare.

[@chasingcars]

Agreed - it lets the car down. Thankfully the rest of the package is pretty impressive.

[@asjeot]

@@chasingcars Is the Corolla station wagon coming to Australia?

[@chasingcars]

asjeot Toyota don’t have plans to bring it here now but they haven’t ruled it out. I’m hoping they do.

[@clairedaniels1877]

asjeot What’s a boot?

[@asjeot]

@@clairedaniels1877, a trunk?

[@teslam3lrsuper528]

1.8L has dipper place

[@striderGMT]

Love the car. Hate the boot. Not practical for cricket, golf, travelling. Frustrating coz really love everything else about it. Would compromise if they bring out a GR version

[@striderGMT]

Thanks for review

[@DS-no5rs]

I like the Corolla I was waiting for the new model to come out I was previously driving a 98 Corolla I didn't take care of it or spend any money on it and it would start every time and was indestructible Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the new Corolla Its back seat and boot is smaller than Yaris and not competitive It doesn't make sense. The back seat and boot should increase from Yaris to Corolla to Camry Boot Corolla 217L i30 395L Focus 377L Golf 380L Mazda 3 295L Yaris 286L Many Corolla sales will be for hire car companies maybe some company cars Toyota is going for style over practicality I'm not a fan of Hyundai but I would choose the i30 over the Corolla I ended up buying a used 2017 Toyota Aurion ATX for $19000 Maybe the large sedan was more suitable for what I was needing, but for the above reasons I couldn't see buying the Corolla as an option And you shouldn't have to buy a Corolla sedan for more boot and back seat space The previous model Corolla hatch had a 360L boot

[@chasingcars]

The Aurion is still a good thing. A big car for a big country.

[@FlyingGentile]

3:20.....not sure why honda usa didn’t think these would be widely useful but 🤷🏾‍♂️ eh I don’t speak “business”

[@chasingcars]

Sadly, Toyota only include those rear air vents on the top-shelf ZR. When Volkswagen include them on a base model Golf, there is no excuse for anyone else… including Honda

[@jaredebeling1412]

Why does Toyota build a good looking Corolla but with a tiny boot and terrible infotainment bolted on screen

[@tonycoz2309]

Its not selling because the boot space is hopeless and the rear seat room is cramped. There are much roomier options in this segment of the market for less money.

[@chasingcars]

Tend to agree, Tony, though the move to SUVs certainly isn’t helping.

[@geerts153]

Zijn broek is wat te kort🙂

[@yin_yang888]

Sales are down because the Corolla is too expensive.

[@chasingcars]

It’s gotta be a factor, but the move to SUVs is a part of it as well.

[@benaud77]

Good review. That shirt needs to be hit with an iron though

[@vsboy2577]

37,000 is too expensive for a car that size

[@chasingcars]

It’s getting up there.

[@kylosolo6128]

Agree, at that price it's camry territory

[@chasingcars]

In fact, you can get a pretty well equipped Camry for less - but that is more of a reflection of the extremely weak medium-large sedan market. They can get away with charging more for smaller hatchbacks because they are cars buyers want.

[@kamepohs5745]

You can negotiate that price down, I was able to secure my 2019 Zr Hybrid for much, much less than that price. They are fabulous cars for singles though, even with a heavy mix of highway and mountain driving I still get about 4.8 to 5.1 ltrs per 100kms. The Hybrid boot space was adequate enough for me to bring elephant ear Alocasia plants home. Those suckers are huge. So, for a single or maybe a couple without kids, it is pretty great. In saying that, you get a lot of bang for your buck and it sips petrol.

[@kylosolo6128]

Kamepoh S Great to hear, but the camry still offers way better value, in terms of space, comfort, ride quality, and the hybrid engine is much more powerful than the one in the corolla while still gets you extremely good fuel economy. For the same price if I have to choose between a fully loaded corolla and a base camry, I would still pick the camry in a heartbeat.

[@7homas0wen]

The car is over styled and yet boring at the same time. The interior looks rubbish compared to the competition such as Mazda, Kia and VW. CVT = not fun or that pleasant to drive. I’ve driven one as a rental car and it was just average and handling wasn’t as good as a 2019 Mazda 3 or a golf. For what you pay for one of these you get a nice spec Mazda 3 which is miles ahead of this in interior quality, styling, technology, handling and overall comfort. This is why Mazda is overtaken Toyota in personal sales in this segment and the midsize SUV segment as well. If Toyota wants to get back on top here in Australia they’ve got some serious work to do.

[@joelim8170]

7homas 0wen but Mazda uses direct injection motor which will turn to garbage past 100,000km. Toyota still rules in longevity because of port injection.

[@7homas0wen]

Joe Lim turn garbage past 100k? I don’t think so. My Mazda 323 had 350k kms and was still going fine. My current Mazda has 100k kms and is also still fine and I haven’t had one issue with the engine or drivetrain. Can’t say the same about my mums rav 4 which had catastrophic issues after 6 years and had to be replaced as it wasn’t worth the repair costs. Or my land cruiser that had constant issues with suspension, interior falling apart, battery draining, gearbox issues, shock absorbers failing and my ac had to be fixed about 5 times. I don’t get why everyone thinks Toyota are the only reliable car company because I haven’t had a great track record with the reliability or customer service. Mazda on the other hand have been way more reliable and the customer service was much better. Only had smaller issues such as dash melting that was replaced for free and repair to my spoiler that had come loose and rattled which was also done for free. So I don’t know what you’re on about.

[@joelim8170]

Like i said, direct injection motors can’t match port injection for longevity. Do a bit of research first before replying that your (port injection) Mazda 323 is going well at 350,000km. I’m sure it is. Because it’s bloody NOT direct injection!

[@nevillekidd97]

@@7homas0wen think you've simply had bad luck with your Toyotas. Talk to any mechanic, or Rental fleet guys...same story, Toyota costs less to own as so reliable, that reflects in the buy back. Problem is the Toyota'isms which are those irritating things you have to live with that Mazda simply do better

[@bruceraymond8611]

$36.000 for a corolla. You've gotta be kidding.

[@chasingcars]

Keep in mind that's for a top shelf model with no more to pay on the road.

[@bruceraymond8611]

@@chasingcars why not buy a Toyota Camry. Not much bigger with a better ride.

[@dommonte3507]

why are ll the reviews done by tall people, of course it's tight at the back

[@hijinir]

Because you won't really find it uncomfortable if you're shorter than the reviewer I prefer reviewers who are taller, as a reference point Because I'm a big tall fella and that means that if the reviewer doesn't smash his head getting into the car, I'll be fine too 😂 Great review and I hope I can grab one in pearl white soon enough

[@sn5837]

Caltex as a POI 🤡

[@jay.c7175]

It's to small

[@galbaj5860]

GARBAGE SOUND!!!!