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The 2022 Toyota Corolla is a good compact car with plenty to offer, including a choice of sedan and hatchback body styles. Either way, expect a composed ride, a comfortable interior, and excellent fuel efficiency. The new Corolla comes standard with a wide array of advanced safety features and boasts a user-friendly infotainment system.

So, how much does a fully loaded 2022 Corolla cost? And what features do you get? 

How much is a fully loaded 2022 Toyota Corolla?

A silver 2022 Toyota Corolla Apex Exterior parked outside a modern gray building
2022 Toyota Corolla Apex | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla is available in five trim levels, and all are front-wheel drive, U.S. News reports. You can get any of the five trims with a sedan body style. If you want the hatchback, you’ll have to upgrade to the SE or XSE trim. The base engine is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder producing 139 hp. An available 2.0-liter four-cylinder puts out 169 hp in the SE and XSE models.

The base-model L sedan starts at $20,075. It comes standard with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. A  7.0-inch touchscreen helps navigate the intuitive infotainment system. You also get a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, two USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. 

The base model also has cloth upholstery, 15-inch wheels, LED headlights, and a rearview camera. Toyota included its Safety Sense 2.0 suite standard. It features adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection, and road sign recognition. 

One trim level up is the Corolla LE sedan, starting at $20,525. This model brings an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a third USB port, automatic climate control, 16-inch wheels, and keyless entry. 

The SE is available as a hatchback starting at $20,815 with a manual transmission. It starts at $21,915 for a model with an automatic transmission. The SE sedan starts at $22,525 for an automatic and $23,225 for a manual. The SE also has the more potent engine and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You still get 16-inch wheels on the hatchback, but the SE sedan has 18-inch alloy wheels. 

Then there’s the Corolla XLE sedan for $24,475. It includes all the LE model’s features plus faux leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a moonroof, and 16-inch alloy wheels. You also get blind-spot monitoring, push-button start, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Corolla XSE costs $23,765 for a manual hatchback and $24,865 for an automatic hatchback. But the XSE sedan comes with only an automatic transmission, starting at $25,975. It also has the larger engine and the same standard features as the XLE. 

Or, for $28,360, you can get the range-topping Apex Edition. It includes special Apex badging, a retuned suspension, bronze exterior accents, a sport exhaust, a black roof, a rear spoiler, and a restyled front bumper.

Is it worth it to spend nearly $30,000 for a small car?

The 2022 Corolla is a good compact car, but it’s not flawless. Though either powertrain offers a composed, comfortable ride, neither engine provides any driving excitement. If you travel often or frequently need cargo space, you should also know space in the trunk is limited.

Would it be better to get a base-model 2022 Toyota Camry instead? This midsize sedan starts at $25,295 and offers some distinct advantages over the Corolla. Also, you can get a Camry with AWD, which the Corolla doesn’t offer. Plus, the back seat and trunk are more spacious in the Camry. 

However, the larger sedan isn’t as fuel-efficient as the Corolla. The choice depends on your specific needs.

 Which 2022 Toyota Corolla trim level should you buy? 

The 2022 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE models with the bigger engine are the better choices. You can get the SE and XSE with your choice of an automatic or manual transmission.

These models also get great gas mileage. When equipped with the larger engine and an automatic continuously variable transmission, the Corolla can get 32/41 mpg city/highway. With the manual transmission, fuel efficiency drops to 29/36 mpg. But the best fuel economy is with the base engine and CVT for 30/38 mpg city/highway.

 Regardless of the 2022 Toyota Corolla model you choose, you’ll get a car that’s well equipped and stylish.