Toyota Corolla review
The Toyota Corolla is a stylish, super-efficient family car that’s great to drive and comes with Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability.
Author: Charlie Harvey
18th Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
The Toyota Corolla is the world's best-selling car nameplate, and for good reason. After a break from UK shores where it was replaced by the Auris, the Corolla name returned in 2018 for its 12th generation. This latest model is the best yet, bringing with it sharp, modern styling, a choice of two brilliant hybrid powertrains, and a driving experience that’s surprisingly fun. It’s a car that’s been thoroughly brought up to date. It feels comfortable and composed on the road, the cabin is well-built, and the hybrid technology is seamless and incredibly efficient. While the interior isn't the most exciting and it’s not the most practical car in its class, the Corolla is a fantastic all-rounder. It’s a stylish, dependable, and incredibly cheap-to-run family car that makes a huge amount of sense.
Pros
- Incredibly economical hybrid powertrains
- Comfortable and enjoyable to drive
- Striking and attractive exterior styling
Cons
- The interior design is a bit lacklustre
- It's not the most practical car in its class
- It doesn't feel as premium as some rivals
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the Toyota Corolla is very well thought out and incredibly easy to use, but it does lack a bit of sparkle. The dashboard design is quite sensible and a little uninteresting compared to the bold exterior. However, you can’t fault its logic, with all the buttons and controls exactly where you’d expect them to be.
Most models come with an eight-inch touchscreen which handles the car’s media and phone connectivity. The build quality is excellent, as you’d expect from Toyota, with everything feeling solid and durable. It’s a cabin that prioritises function over flair, and it does its job very well.
Comfort
The Corolla is a very comfortable car to travel in. It’s based on the same modern platform as the C-HR crossover, and it strikes a great balance between a comfortable ride and enjoyable handling. It soaks up bumps and poor road surfaces well, feeling smooth and composed in most situations.
The driving position is great and the seats are comfortable, even on long journeys. The hybrid powertrain is almost silent when you’re driving around town on electric power, which makes for a very relaxing experience. It’s a pleasant and refined car for both short hops and long-distance cruising.
Quality
Toyota has a world-renowned reputation for building high-quality, reliable cars, and the Corolla is no exception. The cabin feels incredibly solid and well put together, giving you the sense that it will last a lifetime. There are no creaks or rattles, and all the switches operate with a reassuring sturdiness.
While the materials might not feel as plush or premium as those in a Volkswagen Golf, they are clearly built for durability. The Corolla's cabin is a robust and high-quality environment that feels ready to stand up to anything family life can throw at it.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
The Corolla is a practical car for a small family. There’s plenty of space up front for the driver and passenger to get comfortable, and you’ll find a good number of useful storage cubbies for your phone, keys, and drinks.
Space in the back is a little less generous. While children will be perfectly happy, legroom can be a bit tight for taller adults, especially if there are tall people sitting in the front. It’s not as spacious in the back as a Ford Focus or Skoda Octavia. If you need more space, the Touring Sports estate version is a much better bet.
Boot space
The boot in the Corolla hatchback is a decent size. In the 1.8-litre hybrid model, you get 361 litres of space, which is enough for the weekly shop or a couple of suitcases. It's worth noting that the more powerful 2.0-litre hybrid has a slightly smaller boot because its larger battery is housed under the boot floor.
Neither version has a class-leading boot, but it’s a good, usable shape. For maximum practicality, the Touring Sports estate model is the one to go for. It has a much larger 581-litre boot that’s perfect for families with lots of gear to carry.
Driving
Driving experience
This is where the latest Corolla is a real surprise. Previous generations were known for being a bit dull to drive, but this new model is genuinely enjoyable. It feels agile and responsive, with accurate steering and good body control that makes it feel composed and confident on a twisty road.
It’s not quite as sharp or fun as a Ford Focus, but it’s not far off. The real highlight is the way it blends this enjoyable handling with a comfortable and refined ride. It’s an easy and pleasant car to drive in all situations, from the school run to a long motorway journey.
Performance
The Corolla is available with a choice of two 'self-charging' hybrid powertrains. The entry-level option is a 1.8-litre hybrid that produces a combined 120bhp. It’s smooth, quiet, and perfect for everyday driving.
For those who want a bit more punch, there’s a 2.0-litre hybrid with 178bhp. This version feels noticeably quicker and more responsive, without a big penalty in fuel economy. Both versions come with a smooth CVT automatic gearbox. A 1.2-litre non-hybrid petrol engine was also offered, but the hybrids are the main attraction.
Running costs
Fuel economy & charging
This is the Corolla’s ace card. The hybrid powertrains are incredibly efficient and deliver fantastic fuel economy. The 1.8-litre hybrid can officially achieve up to 78.5mpg, while the more powerful 2.0-litre version can still manage over 70mpg. These are amazing figures for a family car and mean you’ll spend a lot less time and money at the petrol station.
Low CO2 emissions also mean that road tax is cheap, and the hybrid models are a very attractive proposition for company car drivers due to the low tax bills. They are 'self-charging' hybrids, so you never need to plug them in.
Value for money
The Corolla is competitively priced against its main rivals and comes with a very generous amount of standard equipment, making it great value for money. Desirability for hybrid cars is high, which means the Corolla holds its value very well. This is great news for owners as it means you’ll get more of your money back when you come to sell it.
Reliability & Warranty
Toyota's reputation for reliability is legendary. Its cars consistently top ownership satisfaction and reliability surveys, and the Corolla is one of the most dependable cars you can buy. The complex hybrid system has been refined over many years and is proven to be incredibly robust. From new, all Toyotas come with a three-year warranty, which can be extended up to 10 years if you have the car serviced at a Toyota dealer, providing unrivalled peace of mind.
Safety
Safety features
The Toyota Corolla is an incredibly safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, with very high scores across the board.
A huge plus point is that all models come with ‘Toyota Safety Sense 2’ as standard. This is a comprehensive suite of active safety systems that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. It’s a brilliant package that many rivals charge extra for.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Corolla is available in a range of well-equipped trim levels.
Icon: The entry-level model is very generous. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a reversing camera, and the full Toyota Safety Sense 2 package.
Icon Tech: As the name suggests, this trim adds more technology, including built-in satellite navigation and parking sensors.
Design: This popular trim adds stylish upgrades like 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, and privacy glass.
GR Sport: This trim gives the Corolla a sporty look inspired by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsport division, with a unique body kit and sports seats.
Excel: The top-of-the-range model is packed with kit, including 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-LED headlights, and sports seats with part-leather upholstery.
Engines
The Corolla is all about hybrid power.
1.8-litre Hybrid: This is the most popular choice. It combines a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 120bhp. It’s smooth, quiet, and incredibly economical.2.0-litre Hybrid: This more powerful option produces a combined 178bhp, giving it much livelier performance while still being very efficient.1.2-litre Petrol: A non-hybrid turbocharged petrol engine was also available. It’s a good engine, but the hybrids are the star of the show.