Redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla Catches Up With its Hatchback Sibling

In 2019, the Toyota Corolla Hatchback debuted with a stunning new look and a potent powertrain that made its sedan sibling look silly. That all changes soon as Toyota just announced the 2020 Corolla sedan lineup, and it is more robust than the hatchback model and just as sharp looking.

Remember that front end that made so many drool over the 2019 Corolla Hatchback? Yeah, the 2020 Corolla sedan gains that front end with LED headlights. Around back, the 2020 Corolla gains an all-new LED lightings that wrap around the rear to create a sporty character. This is all enhanced by the SE and XSE trims’ sporty chin spoilers and stabilizing fins.

2020 Toyota Corolla interior

Inside, the 2020 Corolla sedan will delicately combine sportiness, class, and value. Most of the lineup will include an 8-inch touchscreen loaded with the Entune 3.0 infotainment system. The base L trim will be the only exception, but its 7-inch touchscreen will be nothing to scoff at. Buyers looking for great sound can opt for the Entune 3.0 Audio Premium system that includes nine JBL speakers, an 800-watt amplifier, 6.7-inch door subwoofers, navigation, and much more. Setting off the interior will be plenty of gloss-black and silver accents, contrast stitching, and material consistency.

Under its hood, the 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan will carry on with the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder from 2018 in the L, LE, and XLE trims. The only difference is Toyota will massage this engine to produce more power than last year’s 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Don’t look for huge gains, but 140 horses and 130 pound-feet is possible. The SE and XSE trims will get an extra dose of sportiness with it inheriting the Corolla Hatchback’s 2.0-liter Dynamic Force engine that injects 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

Pairing to these engines will be a standard Dynamic-Shift continuously variable transmission that boasts a physical first gear before moving to the CVT pulleys for a more traditional feel off the line. Buyers can also get an Intelligent Manual Transmission, which is a six-speed manual with rev-matching.

For those looking for thriftiness, there is a 2020 Corolla Hybrid on the way. There are no details on it yet, but Toyota announced it will debut on Nov. 28, 2018 at the LA Auto Show.

2020 Toyota Corolla Rear

Rounding out the 2020 Corolla sedan’s updates will be standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla will hit showrooms in the spring of 2019.