Learn me Corolla hatchback

The other car on the shortlist that I don't know enough about is the new carolla hatch. 

I'd not be getting the gr version, unfortunately. Nightshade one with a cvt and as few other options as possible for less stuff to break. 

What do we know about modern carollas? Still the unkillable cockroaches of the automotive world? Or has that changed these days? Any software for electrical issues? Anything i will definitely want or definitely want to run away from? 

As with the soul, it's bound to be just a daily driver for 15 years and 200k, so the least amount of berkeleyery for the maximum return on investment with the most joy and least hassle.....

I don't know much about them, other than it's spelled 'Corolla', but I will say I think they are surprisingly sharp when I see them on the road.  They stand out in the see of CUV's and pickups.  In terms of econobox appliances, there are far uglier ways to do it.  18" alloys on the Nightshade edition are certainly less appliancey then the base model 16's.... but worth it.  ;-p These are downright cool:

Nearest I can tell, Corollas are still the best of the bunch when it comes to Toyota, and this is the big booty Judy version. I don't trust CVT's but I suspect Toyota has a pretty good lock on them given how long they've been in Priuses. 

In reply to xflowgolf (Forum Supporter) :

Exact one I'd order, and I did NOT realize I'd been spelling it wrong! Holy crap!

Mndsm: my understanding is that it's a different cvt than the prius, unfortunately. But, I'd hope that the experience and track record transfers. I can't seem to find much via google.

The CVT in a prius is varied using a single planetary gear and the main drive motors (no clutches, bands, TC, etc.)  Its only possible with a hybrid drivetrain.

Stated in the other thread:
1) No general internet complaints about Toyota CVTs
2) Popular Toyota Master Tech (CCN) said no major issues/complaints with Toyota CVTs
3) Newish CVTs have physical first gear and are improved in terms of drivability.

And yes, the eCVT and CVT are completely different tech.

TravisTheHuman said:

The CVT in a prius is varied using a single planetary gear and the main drive motors (no clutches, bands, TC, etc.)  Its only possible with a hybrid drivetrain.

Yeah... it's not a CVT.

The best way to describe the hybrid setup is to take a rearend.  Engine is on one axle and an electric motor on the other one, and the output is the pinion.  The engine can run at a constant speed and the electric motor absorbs power or gets powered up as necessary to make different output speeds.

Now fold that all up inside a transmission case, using planetary gears.

It's pretty simple and ingenious, although the controls software had to be fun to program.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

TravisTheHuman said:

The CVT in a prius is varied using a single planetary gear and the main drive motors (no clutches, bands, TC, etc.)  Its only possible with a hybrid drivetrain.

Yeah... it's not a CVT.

The best way to describe the hybrid setup is to take a rearend.  Engine is on one axle and an electric motor on the other one, and the output is the pinion (which also has an electric motor on it).  The engine can run at a constant speed and the electric motor absorbs power or gets powered up as necessary to make different output speeds.

 

Updated, but yeah pretty much.

Anyway, I'd choose a Corolla over a Soul 11/10 times if those are the two at the top of your list.

I know the hatch looks cool, but if you're going to get an automatic anyways, I'd go for the hybrid, which only comes in a sedan.  Way better MPGs and a similar driving experience.  And like mentioned upthread, the hybrid eCVT is a cool bit of tech that has very few moving parts and is known to be very dependable.  

The biggest complaints I've read about the hybrid Corollas are the same as the regular Corollas--the front bumper apparently likes to get hooked on parking blocks and gets torn off easily, and the seats are not for everyone.  

My biggest issue with the hybrid Corolla is that it only comes as a sedan.  Big miss by Toyota IMO

If I was in your shoes I'd go with the last stick shift Honda Civic Sport hatchback (2024).  

Manual trans w/2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine - old school, none of that turbo nonsense to deal with.  158 horsepower?  Try not to pay too much. 
 

I've heard nothing bad about the current gen Corolla other than they are "boring" compared to other cars. But you know what? THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BORING. That's OK! On paper, they remind me of the old 2010-13 Mazda 3. I even considered one to replace my trusty 2012 Mazda 3 back in 2020. I think they look fantastic as a sedan or hatch, but the hatch looks especially great. 

That Nightshade hatch in black with the bronze wheels has me feeling things. Looks like a perfect commuter car to me. 

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Well I agree with you in principle my bionic left ankle and automatic only driving wife do not agree with you. Just ain't going to work on that one. And I'm not sure how much of a hatch they really are at this point.

Dusterbd13 said:

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Well I agree with you in principle my bionic left ankle and automatic only driving wife do not agree with you. Just ain't going to work on that one. And I'm not sure how much of a hatch they really are at this point.

Hey, what about the Civic Sport Hybrid Hatch?  I hate to keep pushing hybrids, but for daily driving, they really are the way to go.  Both the Honda and Toyota have ditched traditional transmissions, which I think is a big plus, and the mileage is so so much better than a regular gas car.  We got my wife a Hybrid Highlander and its incredible--a giant 4500 pound, AWD beheamoth and it still gets 33 mpg combined!  

Anyways the Civic Sport Hybrid makes 200 hp, gets 50 mpg and is a hatchback.  Seems like a winner to me if you can't have a manual, assuming Honda hasn't completely E36 M3 the bed on build quality.  

In reply to rothwem :

This thing is currently the "gold standard" in small cars in terms of the balance of efficiency and performance, at least in my eyes. My only gripe is the price. But this is my frontrunner to replace my Kia when it's time. 

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

I have to commend Honda for still having a dashboard that doesn't look like something from a Star Wars movie.

The Sarah-N-Tuned YouTube channel regularly reviews cars in this category, I'm pretty sure she's done a Corolla but you'd have to check.

We have a Corolla Cross hybrid, which despite the name is basically a slightly smaller RAV4 SUV.  It's getting a consistent 40 mpg, it's AWD, has a roomy hatch, and has been as boring and trouble free as you could wish.  

I'd had a bunch of Priuses and wanted more room than the new Prius appears to offer.  Fits a 110 lb Doberman in the back just fine.

My brother has the sedan version of what you're considering. Black, with the bronze wheels. He's only had it for about 6 months, but loves it so far. I haven't even sat in it, but it does look nice.

My son-in-law-to-be-maybe recently bought the 5 door Corolla in the trim just below the Nightshade...? Top trim of the nonperformance line.

It looks pretty good in person, which is not something I've been able to say about Toyotas in a decade or so.

They are not car people, but it sure seems to do its job well for both daily commuting and longer haul roadtrips.

 Wife got a 2021 Corolla hatchback and loved it. I drove it about 1500 miles on vacation and I had no complaints. We got an occasional 40 mpg too. Only reason she didn't keep it she wanted something a bit bigger (so CorollaCross). I thought it looked good in Petty Blue too.

Kendall Frederick said:

We have a Corolla Cross hybrid...

Would you believe that the Corolla Cross Hybrid outsold the Prius last year?  

Furthmore thinking about it, the CCross Hybrid is a sub model considering you can buy a non-hybrid CCross and that sub-model outsold the entire full nameplate of Prius (which are all hybrid.)  

The CCross is the near perfect package of Toyota appliance hybrid.  

PS: I Mod powered and changed the title typo

John Welsh said:

Kendall Frederick said:

We have a Corolla Cross hybrid...

Would you believe that the Corolla Cross Hybrid outsold the Prius last year?  

Furthmore thinking about it, the CCross Hybrid is a sub model considering you can buy a non-hybrid CCross and that sub-model outsold the entire full nameplate of Prius (which are all hybrid.)  

The CCross is the near perfect package of Toyota appliance hybrid. 

Looks like CCH's are only like $3k more than a prius?

Also, apparently you can find the regular CorollaCross for just about the requisite budget:

also, requisite "lowered corolla cross" image...

which, unfortunately would be a lot more costly to pull off compared to just buying a Nightshade Hatch.

In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :

That actually looks great!  I have never once considered such a thing but who knew... LOL.  The black with black trim looks less appliance-like than the other colors (like our red w/black trim).

I've definitely googled for pics of a lowered Corolla Cross many times in the past.  I wish it was more of a middle ground between the Corolla and the RAV4.  Its about 9 inches taller than a Corolla, and 2" shorter than a RAV4.