Refreshed 2023 Toyota Corolla Gains Hybrid AWD, New Tech Features
Competes with: Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza
Looks like: Mild exterior styling changes mask significant mechanical updates
Drivetrain: 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with continuously variable automatic transmission or gas-electric hybrid drivetrain; front- or all-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Later this year
Toyota’s compact Corolla sedan and four-door hatchback have been freshened for the 2023 model year; the most significant change is newly available AWD for the Corolla Hybrid sedan. The 2023 Corolla also gets minor front and rear styling changes and updated safety and tech features. In addition, Toyota also announced a new hybrid drivetrain for the 2023 Corolla Cross small SUV.
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New AWD for Hybrid, New Engine for Gas LE Trim
The new AWD version of the Corolla Hybrid gains an electric motor that drives the rear wheels. The motor powers the rear wheels when starting off from a stop, and it also works when front wheel slip is detected. Toyota did not provide estimated gas mileage figures for the AWD Corolla Hybrid, but EPA estimates for the front-drive 2022 Corolla Hybrid are 53/52/52 mpg city/highway/combined.
Toyota also says the hybrid system’s drive motor and lithium-ion battery pack have been updated and that the hybrid system is more powerful than before. The 2022 Corolla Hybrid is rated at 121 hp, and Toyota says horsepower figures for the 2023 Corolla Hybrid will be available closer to its on-sale date later this year.
Toyota has also replaced the gas-only Corolla LE’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with the 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder that powers other trim levels. The 2.0-liter engine makes 30 hp more than the outgoing four-cylinder but gets slightly better gas mileage: 31/40/34 mpg, according to Toyota’s estimates.
Updated Tech and Safety Features
The 2023 Corolla has a new standard 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system that includes dual Bluetooth phone pairing, satellite radio (subscription required after three-month trial) and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The system also supports voice commands and over-the-air updates for things like map data.
The 2023 Corolla also gets version 3.0 of Toyota Safety Sense, Toyota’s suite of active safety and driver-assist features. Underlying features of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-centering steering assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights.
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Newly Available Hybrid Drivetrain for 2023 Corolla Cross
In addition to the changes Toyota announced for the 2023 Corolla, the automaker also revealed a new hybrid drivetrain for the 2023 Corolla Cross small SUV, which shares its platform with the Corolla sedan.
Offered only with AWD, the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid is powered by a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain that makes 194 hp and gets manufacturer-estimated gas mileage of 37 mpg combined. The 2022 Corolla Cross with AWD, by comparison, gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined. Like the 2023 Corolla, the 2023 Corolla Cross has Toyota’s new multimedia technology and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
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