Los Angeles

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: A First in 53 Years

by Sylvain Raymond
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
All photos
Photo: Sylvain Raymond

For the first time in its 53-year history, the Toyota Corolla will be offered with a hybrid powertrain. Aside from its appropriate badging, we’ll be able to spot this version of the popular compact sedan by its exclusive 15-inch wheels, wrapped in low rolling-resistance tires.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid will benefit from the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system as what’s found in the latest generation of the Toyota Prius. It consists of an Atkinson-cycle, 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, matched to a pair of electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Atkinson engine squeezes as much power as possible from the fuel/air mixture, while the electric motors compensate for the thinner torque related to this type of combustion cycle.

As is the case with the Prius, the 2020 Corolla Hybrid will include an EV mode to maximize fully electric driving. Unfortunately, the car can’t be plugged in, a feature that’s exclusive to the Toyota Prius Prime. Other drive modes are available as well, including Normal, Eco and Sport, the latter making the Corolla’s powertrain slightly more reactive.

The Corolla Hybrid will also feature the Toyota Active Sense 2.0 suite as standard, which rounds up pre-collision warning, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, among other things. Inside, we find a new, ultra-modern instrument panel in addition to the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, which also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The new model will be on sale in the spring of 2019, and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Share on Facebook
GalleryNews, reviews, videosToyota dealersUsed vehiclesToyota

More on the subject

First DrivesSurprise! Toyota Unveils the New 2020 Corolla
No one knew exactly when the new 2020 Corolla would be unveiled or what it would look like. But after the Corolla hatchback was released earlier this year, it became clear that the sedan was going to be seriously revamped. Even though the 2020 Corolla was just unveiled at Auto …
Los Angeles2019 Toyota Prius: Now with All-wheel Drive!
Toyota’s hybrid sedan gets a few improvements for the 2019 model year, but the big news announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show is the addition of an optional all-wheel drivetrain. Likely sensing that plenty of hybrid-powered competitors are being added to the market, such as the Hyundai Ioniq , …
Previews2020 Toyota Corolla: Five Things to Know
The all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla is set to write the 12th chapter in the big book of the world’s best-selling car. After more than 50 years and 45 million units sold, the Japanese compact sedan has been completely reimagined and redesigned following the Corolla Hatchback introduced last year. Just like …
First Drives2020 Toyota Corolla: The Beige Corolla is Dead… Almost
Toyota has completely redesigned and improved the Corolla sedan for 2020, a year after introducing the new Corolla Hatchback. The Japanese automaker aimed to make the Corolla more dynamic and more attractive to young drivers. And to ensure no one ever calls it “beige” again, the PR staff at the …