The Toyota Corolla is widely recognized as one of the most practical affordable cars on the market. The 2021 Corolla was described as being wildly OK when considering its Consumer Reports score. However, many may be surprised to know that the Toyota Corolla is one of Toyota’s best-selling cars- with the 2020 Toyota Corolla being the third best-selling Toyota vehicle. Here is why the Toyota Corolla, specifically the 2021 model, is a lot more than an average car you can get for cheap. 

The 2021 Toyota Corolla 

Being ranked as the second-best car in a class is no easy task especially when the critic is Consumers Report. That is why it’s all the more impressive that the 2021 Toyota Corolla was ranked as the second-best compact vehicle for the model year. With nine different trims, two different engine options, a hybrid option, and two transmission options, the 2021 Corolla provides consumers with no shortage of options.

The L, LE, or XLE models have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 139 hp. The L and LE get 33 mpg overall fuel efficiency and the XLE gets 32 mpg. The hybrid LE model gets a very impressive 52 mpg on the highway and 53 mpg for city driving. The SE and XSE models are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 169 hp. Both the SE and XSE get 34 mpg overall fuel efficiency. The SE and XSE both come with a performance Apex model and there is also a SE nightshade model.

All 2021 Corolla models come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (which didn’t come standard in previous models). This allows drivers to easily connect their phone to the vehicle to play music, use navigation apps, and make calls using voice control. Additionally, all 2021 Corolla models come standard with a variety of advanced safety features. These features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, bicycle detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a lane-centering feature. 

What are some new features in the 2021 Corolla? 

As mentioned previously, the 2021 Toyota Corolla comes standard with Android Auto. According to Kelley Blue Book, another new feature is the option for rear cross-traffic warning. Further adding to the 2021 Corolla’s great features are additional rear airbags. All 2021 Corolla models also come standard with an engine start/stop feature. Furthermore, the Apex SE and Apex XSE are new trims that haven’t been available in previous Corolla lines.

Where the 2021 Toyota Corolla blew away its competition 

When it comes to reliability, the 2021 Toyota Corolla is undeniably one of the best vehicles in the market. Receiving a 5/5 for reliability from Consumer Reports, the 2021 Corolla is not only one of the most reliable vehicles in its class, but one of the most reliable vehicles that Toyota sells. So if you need a vehicle you can depend on, it doesn’t get much better than the 2021 Corolla. 

Furthermore, when it comes to safety, the 2021 Corolla comes standard with a variety of standard features. That’s why it’s no surprise that the 2021 Corolla was awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Critics were also very impressed with the fact that the 2021 Toyota Corolla comes standard with both Apple Car Play and Android Auto, which up until recently were just available features in other vehicles in the same price range.

The 2021 Corolla also rocks impressive fuel economy, with the lowest overall fuel economy across all models at 32 mpg and the highest at 54 mpg in the Hybrid LE. Additionally, the 2021 Corolla’s drive was also praised-with its smoothness, suspension, and enjoyable drive loved by consumers and critics alike.

Whether it was the critics at Consumer Reports or the experts at Kelley Blue Book, the 2021 Corolla received great reviews all around. That’s why it’s quite surprising that it was one of the Top 10 Cheapest Sedans You Can Buy for 2021 according to MotorTrend. Making the 2021 Toyota Corolla not only one of the most practical and reliable vehicles on the market but also one of the most affordable.