Road Test Review – 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid XLE – The Budget Fuel Sipper

The Toyota Corolla may be relishing in its recent role as a performance superstar when it comes to the GR Corolla, but long before Toyota chose to give the Corolla neck-snapping acceleration and corner-carving abilities it was better known for being the modern poster child for sensible commuting with fuel economy and value being the key pillars of its success. These pillars are attempting to bestow this same magic onto the 2024 Corolla Hybrid but is it all enough to help it continue winning over budget-minded customers?

Corolla’s exterior paints practical image

At first glance, the exterior styling of the 2024 Corolla Hybrid is not likely to draw much attention with the Hybrid not getting the same visual magic that makes the GR Corolla stand out. Instead, it gets the default Corolla template which is still aggressive looking but is really starting to show its age with the headlights and large grille being the same as they have been for the past few years. The rear end is just as sensible and like the front, it will not wow the masses with its bland-looking taillights helping the Corolla Hybrid be a chameleon in urban traffic.

Toyota is attempting to address the Corolla’s bland lines by adding a new FX package which will be making its debut on 2025 models. The FX treatment enhances styling but it’s not known if the Hybrid model will get the same treatment. On the plus side though, XLE models like our tester are the most stylish Hybrid models you can get in the lineup but sadly, it’s still limited to the sedan with no plans for a hatchback model anytime soon.

Comfortable interior goes through the motions

Slip inside the Corolla Hybrid and you’ll find that not much has changed. A streamlined design continues to be a prominent theme with the dashboard still having acres of flat plastic, the rear seats continuing to be cramped for taller passengers, and the front seats not having enough bottom cushioning to get comfortable on long trips.

An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system continues to be the default offering on all Corollas, but a new 10.5-inch screen is available on certain models for those who prefer more screen in their driving experience. Both systems get standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and we highly recommend either of those setups for the navigation system versus the Corolla’s default software which doesn’t get all of the refinements that some of Toyota’s other models get. Trunk space is on par for the compact segment and with the Nissan Versa recently getting the axe, the Corolla will have an opportunity to lure in some of those owners with its tech and comfort features.

Fuel economy is the name of the game in this Corolla

Unlike other cars that we have reviewed here over the years, the Corolla Hybrid we tested made it clear that performance and spirited driving are not its cup of tea with our tester needing a leisurely 9.0-second jog to make it to 60 mph. Not helping things is the CVT which feels like it was tuned in another part of the boardroom and is paired with steering that has about as much crisp communication as hearing the late Bob Ross hypnotically describe a painting that he’s making on a classic episode of his PBS show.

On the flip side though, what the Corolla Hybrid lacks in overall motivation (that’s what the GR Corolla is for anyway) it makes up for in fuel economy. The Corolla Hybrid is the thriftiest Corolla model on the market with our front-wheel drive example getting an EPA-rated 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the freeway. This fuel economy has long been a strong selling point for the Corolla Hybrid and with many potential buyers often living in sprawling cities or even participating in the growing gig economy, fewer trips to the pump means more money in their pocket.

Value Quotient

Pricing for the 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid starts at $25,060 for the base LE with the volume-focused SE and the sportier Nightshade variants starting at $27,500 and $28,075 respectively (all pricing includes destination.) Move up to a range-topping XLE model like our example and you’ll be greeted with a base price of $28,385. Our tester only had a light sprinkling of options but even that didn’t cause the price to stray over the $30,000 barrier.

This low pricing will continue to be a strength for the Hybrid and the Corolla lineup as a whole as the current generation model continues to hold down the fort in the compact vehicle market. It remains to be seen if the Corolla Cross CUV will potentially cannibalize more sales as it becomes more ingrained in the marketplace, but in the meantime, look for the 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid to still be a potent choice for buyers looking for fuel economy that doesn’t break the bank and functionality that delivers solid value.

 

Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.

Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.

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