Flash Drive

2019 Toyota Corolla

August 28, 2019 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE

The sporty 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback is available in some bold colors like Blue Flame.

Engine: 2.0-liter I-4, 168-horsepower 151 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 28-mpg city, 37-mpg highway, 31-mpg combined

Base Price: $22,990

As Tested: $25,123

Performance:

Excellent 6-speed manual transmission

Smooth clutch and linkage

Manual transmission helps maximize performance

The Corolla Hatchback features crisp lines and lots of scoops.

Good fuel economy—our best was 30.6-mpg city driving

Easy maneuvering in city

Pleasant highway ride

Great, standard safety features

Comfort:

Nice interior for the price

Supportive front seats

Two-temp heated seats

Driver power lumbar support

Soft headrests

Super stretch-out front legroom

Front seat legroom is expansive even for drivers well over six feet tall.

I had to move seat up for clutch

Ample headroom

Inexpensive, semi-hard headliner

Medium thick, nicely contoured leather steering wheel

Good auxiliary controls on steering wheel

Good tilt/telescopic range

8-inch touch screen

Ample rear seat room if fronts are up some

Low floor hump

Adult can fit in middle position, but hard cushion

Rear seats can be snug, but there is ample room to move the front seats forward.

Soft, wide armrest with two cupholder

Standard Apple CarPlay

Utility:

Large, non-locking glovebox

Small console bin

Two large seatback pouches

No rear door bins

Split, folding rear seats

Flap between seats and cargo area so no gap

Slight incline to folded seats

Flat cargo deck

Cargo space is limited and compromised by the aggressive slant of the hatch.

Cargo capacity impacted by roof slope

Wide hatch opening with no lift-over

Hatch easily clears tall adults

WOW Factors:

Fun-to-drive manual transmission

Sporty, aggressive styling

Standard, advanced safety package

Strong fuel economy

Whines:

Rear doors don’t open very wide impeding access

No rear door bins

The 7-inch touch screen is ideally situated for easy access.

Bottom Line:

The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback marks a welcome return to the popular Corolla lineup. The hatchback adds versatility and sporty styling. The Toyota Corolla has an excellent reliability history. Fuel economy is great around town and even better on the highway. The Hatchback XSE offers an impressive standard safety suite and upscale features over the more basic trim levels.