The GR Corolla is the most important novelty for the model year 2023 compact car, but Toyota is also updating the regular version in the United States. Both the hatchback and sedan have slightly redesigned the front and rear fascia which brings a sharper look to keep the styling fresh. Depending on the body style, there are new colors: Blue Crush Metallic and Blue Flame for the hatchback and Midnight Black Metallic and Underground for the sedan.
Those looking for maximum efficiency will be happy to hear the Corolla Hybrid LE 2023 is now $1,250 cheaper than last year. Not only that, but it also has a bigger punch as the combined output has increased by 13 hp and 10 lb-ft to a total of 134 hp and 156 lb-ft. The EPA estimated combined fuel savings of 50 miles per gallon if you stick with FWD and 48 mpg for LE AWD and 44 mpg for SE AWD. The newly added all-wheel-drive setup has a rear-mounted electric motor that kicks in whenever needed.
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Hybrid models also receive an Infrared Edition based on the newly added SE class. It can be had with or without AWD and is equipped with a sportier suspension than the petrol SE variant which also inherits the more direct electronic power steering. It stands out visually thanks to red accents inside and out while paint options include Ice Cap, Underground, and Midnight Black Metallic.
The five-door gas model also gets new boots as the gas Corolla SE has 16-inch alloy wheels with a 10-spoke design while the XSE class receives 18-inch graphite-colored aluminum alloy wheels. On the sedan side, the SE and XSE trim levels now sport an 18-inch gloss graphite painted alloy. The updated headlights for both cars come with the 2023MY, as do the glossy black mesh bottom grille and a new rear diffuser for the gas models of the Corolla Sedan SE and XSE. The hatch in the XSE flavor receives LED fog lamps with chrome bezels.
Jumping into the cab, Toyota installed an eight-inch touchscreen as standard across the Corolla 2023 lineup and offered an optional seven-inch full digital instrument cluster to replace the standard 4.2-inch display. The model year change comes with the updated Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 System adding several features: Proactive Driving Assist, Obstacle Anticipation Assist, and Deceleration Assist.
The most popular Corolla Sedan class, the LE, gets more power by switching from the old 1.8-liter engine to the 2.0-liter “Dynamic Force”. The four-pot makes 169 hp and 151 lb-ft or 30 hp and 25 lb-ft more than the engine it replaces to slash two seconds from the 0 to 60 mph time. Not only that, but it also sucks in less fuel, achieving a combined 32 mpg city / 41 highway / 35 fuel economy per EPA.
Elsewhere, 2023MY sees the discontinuation of the Corolla Sedan L as the trim level structure has been downsized to the LE, SE, and XSE. The hatchback is available in SE and XSE flavors while the Hybrid is available in LE, XLE, and SE. Toyota already has the model page up and running and is asking for $21,550 for the base Corolla Sedan, followed by the Corolla Hybrid for $2,800, and the Corolla Hatchback starting at $22,965.
