 What is up you guys welcome back to another one if you are new to the channel I'm Goldpony on to new car truck SUV reviews on YouTube and today we are in the new 2021 Toyota Corolla courtesy of Hanover Toyota in Hanover PA for more information on their inventory please feel free to check out the link in the description box below wanted to check this one out yet again I do review it every single year of course and we all know the Corolla comes with absolutely stellar reliability the kind of reliability that takes you over 300,000 miles and there's actually a couple new exciting changes for the 2021 Corolla as well so what do you guys say let's just go ahead and jump right into it and as always let's start with pricing and so there will be several different trim levels for the 2021 Toyota Corolla first one being the L starting at $19,825 LE for $20,275 hybrid LE for $23,400 the SE which actually is the one we have today that one starts at $22,275 SE Nightshade Edition which is a new trim level for the 2021 model year that one goes for $22,975 XLE for $24,225 and lastly the XSE going for $25,725 but then as you can imagine with all of those trim levels there are a few different power plants that come with the Toyota Corolla first one belonging to the L, LE and XLE being a 1.8 liter naturally aspirated inline 4 cylinder putting out 139 horsepower at 6100 rpm 126 pound-feet of torque available at 3,900 rpm power sent to the front wheels through a CVT giving you MPG numbers coming in at 30 in the city 38 on the highway taking regular unleaded fuel but then the next power plant belonging to the SE trims as well as the XSE being a 2 liter naturally aspirated inline 4 cylinder 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm 151 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm sent to the front wheels once again through a CVT with paddle shifters though on this particular engine setup and we do have them today so we will be testing those out in a little bit I did want to mention though as far as transmissions go for that particular engine setup there actually is a six speed manual available with the SE trim level only that is the only way you're going to be able to get a six speed on the 2021 Corolla in case anybody wanted it that's where it's going to be at 0 to 60 time comes into approximately 8.2 seconds we'll be doing an acceleration testing a little bit here MPG is 31 in the city 38 highway once again regular unleaded fuel and then the last configuration belonging to the hybrid that is going to be a 1.8 liter naturally aspirated hybrid 4 cylinder 121 horsepower at 5,200 rpm 105 pound-feet of torque available at 3,600 rpm power center front wheels once again through a CVT MPG numbers for the hybrid which everybody wants to know 53 in the city 52 on the highway that's pretty darn impressive regular unleaded fuel of course once again next thing I wanted to mention drive modes and so when it comes to the drive modes on the Corolla they're only going to be available for the SE trims the XSC the XLE and the hybrid so the L and the LE trims will not get the drive modes in case anybody was curious there so there is a sport button that is located just in front of the shifter there's also an eco mode if you go with the hybrid trim level only and of course the Corolla defaults to a normal mode so really it is in normal mode all the time unless you take it out by pushing one of those two buttons but having said that let's go ahead and push the sport mode and it it did immediately downshift so to speak we're in a CVT of course but it is going to hold the rpms in a much higher level giving you more power on demand it's also going to adjust the throttle sensitivity and the steering sensitivity as well I can definitely notice a difference there between the normal driving mode and the sport driving mode but I just put it in when it comes to the steering sensitivity so we'll mention that but having now said all that what do you guys say let me push the shifter all the way to the back and to the left that is actually going to give me full manual shift mode so I'm going to be in charge of the shifting here and let's do a quick little paddle shifter test here let's see how quickly these paddle shifters are actually going to react for us here all right gotta stir it away here let's do this actually doesn't shift for you I got a surprise it's pretty darn cool I like that the paddle shifters are there this is kind of simulated because it is a CVT transmission after all so it's not really rowing through any gears but I love that they're there and I having said that they do actually react pretty darn quickly but again they're paired up with the CVT so it is what it is but nonetheless now having done that let's get set up and let's do a quick little acceleration test here and let's see how quickly we can get the new 2021 Corolla here up to speed here's a straight away once again it's all right it's not the quickest thing in the world but you know what it's all right for a compact car like this it kind of feels like the Nissan Sentra that originally drove quite honestly so it's not going to be as quick as maybe a turbo charge civic but it'll definitely get the job done you shouldn't have any issues the merging out to the highway or anything like that but as always to go along with that acceleration braking is equally important and so when it comes to braking for the 2021 Corolla it's going to be the same regardless of trim level that you go with up front you're going to get 10.8 inch ventilated front discs in the back 10.2 inch solid rear discs as far as that 60 to 0 stopping distance goes it actually comes in at 119 feet which is definitely respectable no issues with that for comparison sake the Honda Civic comes in at 113 feet Hyundai Elantra comes in at 125 feet if you wanted to compare that a little bit but overall braking feels been perfectly fine for me today so braking is certainly on point with the Corolla touching on suspension and handling up front you're going to get to make fierce and strut front suspension with the stabilizer bar in the back independent multi-link rear suspension previously in 2019 it didn't used to have that it used to have the torsion beam rear axle so I loved in 2020 that they switched it to an independent multi-link so it is going to give you better handling than what it used to just in 2019 so do like that also starting in the 2020 model year I wanted to mention this the Corolla switched to Toyota's TNGA platform which gave the Corolla lower center of gravity and 60% more body rigidity as well so all these things I wanted to mention because it certainly helps with the handling and the fun to drive factor compared to what Corolla's used to be so typically for the longest time the Corolla hasn't been all that exciting of a car to drive but that changed last year in 2020 and again of course it carried on to the 2021 model that I am currently driving so having said that when it comes to this steering feel in this sport driving mode that I've left it in it's really nice actually I don't mind it without that sport driving mode it's definitely on the looser side so it depends on what feel you're looking for I guess I will say it's not quite as heavy as the Civic or the Nissan Sentra actually either they definitely offer a heavier weighted steering feel which I personally prefer but still it's not bad in that sport driving mode like I was saying as far as ride quality goes I think that's where the Corolla really shines when it comes to its segment I would say the Corolla definitely has a smoother ride than the Civic and the Sentra so I definitely do appreciate that cabin noise is perfectly fine as well there's not a whole lot of exterior wind noises coming into the cabin it's pretty much as you would expect the compact car to be when it comes to that and as far as visibility goes I can see perfectly fine out the back typically with sedans you're not going to have any issues there anyway so visibility is definitely on point but that about rounds off the performance segment of this review you guys let's not go ahead take a look at the exterior of this brand new 2021 Toyota Corolla all right so here she is you guys the 2021 Toyota Corolla when it comes to exterior changes the only exterior change was really the addition of that se night shade addition trim level it gives you numerous black accents on the front lip the emblems the wheels side mirrors door handles rear bumper rear spoiler so essentially sums that one up but say then go ahead and moving up to the front of the Corolla though up front you will actually get led headlights across the board every single trim level is going to give you led illumination that's pretty awesome high grade led headlights come with the se trim level and up if you want a little better illumination and there's actually an adaptive front lighting system that goes for $2165 it's actually going to be available for the x le and the x se trim levels as a package option if you wanted that led daytime running lights come standard on all trim levels a large mesh front grille against standard on all trim levels but having said that that front bumper design is going to differ between the l and the s trim levels if you know what I'm saying the le and the se for instance is going to be completely different as far as the front bumper goes but having said that let's go ahead and make our way now to the side of the 2021 Corolla and so to start black windows surrounds do come standard across the board body colored power adjustable side mirrors once again standard on all trims and when it comes to those side mirrors they are actually heated for the hybrid trim level and you will get integrated turd signals if you were to go with the x le or x se trim levels and again black door handles for the night shade addition and body color door handles for all other trim levels so I wanted to mention that as well as far as the wheel setup goes 15 inch steel wheels with covers come with the l trim level 15 inch alloys come with the hybrid 16 inch steel wheels with covers come with the le 16 inch alloys with the x le and all se trim levels are going to give you 18 inch alloy wheels on the side there but now let's go ahead and make our way now to the back of this one as far as the back goes you will get a rear spoiler on all se trim levels so we do have the body colored spoiler here the night shade addition is going to give you a black rear spoiler of course with the black accents trim level badging can be found in the right bottom corner there the rear trunk le detail lights actually come standard on all trim levels love that and there is a small rear diffuser if you were to go with one of the se trim levels you guys can see that towards the bottom there single exhaust outlet is going to come with the l le hybrid and x le trim levels however the se trims including that night shade one will give you a single exhaust with dual chrome tips that is of course what you were looking at right now and i think you guys know what we have to do next as always here is that exhaust clip and so but now since we are around back when it comes to opening that rear trunk there is a button on the key fob itself there's actually also a button on the trunk itself that is yet another way to go ahead and open that up anyways once opened up cargo capacity comes in at 13.1 cubic feet if that was not enough space there is a 60 40 split meaning the rear seats do fold down for quite a bit of extra space there if you needed it then make your way to the rear leg room that is going to come in at 34.8 inches so for reference i mean even six feet tall this is how much space i had personally back there of course i'm not adjusting the front seats at all this is me sitting behind my own driving position also for there's rear passengers they will find a rear center armrest with cup holders if you go with the le trim level enough that's going to be how you're going to go ahead and get that and if the rear passengers look forward there is a little bit of storage in between the seats they're looking forward as well but so then making our way to the front seats manually adjustable claw seats come with the l le and hybrid trims premium sport fabric seats come with the se trim level and i do like the blue accent stitching i will say that as well and that of course is what you're looking at right now you will get a soft text upholstery or leatherette finish if you were to go with the x le or x se trim levels heated seats come once again with the x le and x se and you will find a power driver seat with power lumbar once again with the x le and x se trim levels but having said all of that honestly the seats are quite comfy for me my short driving stint today the se seating at least has been perfectly fine there's no awkward pressure points or anything like that so no issues for me there take a look at the steering wheel this tilt and telescoping you will get a leather wrap steering wheel for the se the x le the x se and the night shade trim so everything except for the l and le essentially otherwise it's here a thing for those two then make your way to the start up let me first start by showing you guys the key here i love how toyota labels their key with the individual model so it does say curl on the one side when you flip it over it's pretty basic lock unlock button to pop the rear hatch but having said that it is all keyless entry with the push button start if you were to go with the hybrid x le or x se trims it is optional for the se that we have today we actually do have that option so all i'm going to do here simply put my foot on the brake and press the engine start button which is located just by the driver's right knee there it's open then once started up as far as the gauge setup goes tachometers all the way to the left speedometer is front and center and there is a small digital display all the way to the right which can be controlled by using the steering wheel mounted controls on the left wouldn't have minded if toyota switched that up but i'm sure you will get used to it but nonetheless there's a ton of different information you could check out within the digital gauge setup including outside temperature you could set a digital speedometer up there if you wanted to how many miles you have left until you hit empty you could check your miles per gallon at any given time when you need your next oil change trip a trip bay of course and there's a ton of other stuff honestly could check out up there as well then make your way to overall interior quality a power moonroof comes with the x le and x se trims optional on the se that we have today we do have that option i love that and for anybody looking for homelink controls or the garage door openers that is going to be an option for 175 dollars that comes with the frameless review mirror as well so that's there for you wireless phone charger is going to be optional once again with the package deal for x le and x se trims and be lighting again a package deal for the x le and s se trims if you wanted that as far as interior quality goes i was actually kind of surprised i really like it i don't think it's quite as nice as the must of three if i'm being quite honest but i do like it i think better than the civic and depending on the trim level sometimes better than the center but not always but my point essentially is the interior quality is just fine for the corolla i do like the stitching that goes throughout the dashboard here just above the passenger side glovebox love the blue contrast stitching that ties in with the seats that you can find on the doors do like that there's a little bit of storage just in front of the shifter so that's going to be there for you as well there's a couple cup holders just behind the shifter you actually have an electronic parking brake just behind the shifter as well and when you open up the center armrest there's a decent amount of storage there but you actually have a usb charging port within that center armrest any 12-volt power outlet in there as well so overall interior finish is just fine for the corolla new issues for me but so then now let's make our way to the tech display where there is yet another change for the 2021 corolla 7-inch colored touch screen display comes with the l trim level however all other trims will give you an 8-inch colored touch screen display that is currently what you're looking at right now and it is a somewhat high quality display it's not the very highest quality that i've seen but actually it's not the worst either it's kind of right in the middle there bluetooth and audio streaming coming standard android auto is newly standard for the 2021 corolla apple carplay of course coming with that as well that essentially means if you have a smartphone simply hook it up to the corolla you have free navigation displayed up on that tech display as well as the ability to like and dislike your paid door songs and there's a couple other compatible apps you can stream as well factory navigation system is optional for the x le and x se trim levels and of course you can check out your radio information up there and by the way when it comes to the sound system six speakers across the board every single trim level but having said that there is an optional nine speaker jbl sound system that yet again is part of a package deal that goes for 2865 dollars that option is available for the x le and sse trim levels only therefore we do have the six speaker sound system here with us today so what do you guys say let's go ahead and turn the radio see what we got playing today and let's test out the clarity of this one dang i haven't listened to red hot chili peppers in quite a while we'll say bass is not the best but the loudness is certainly there if you like loud music man definitely more than enough of a sound system for the corolla wouldn't have minded the jbl but then again that's why it's there as an option if you wanted a better sound system so you got a best of both worlds there i suppose last thing i wanted to mention to you guys on that tech display though is when you do put the corolla in reverse you of course will find a rear view camera letting you know who or what is behind you which is always is going to lead us into safety and so let me first start by saying iihs top safety pick that's always something i look for and always something i will mention if it applies to the vehicle i'm reviewing like the corolla so i gotta love that front side side curtain airbags but check this out also drivers knee airbag doesn't always come standard pasture seat cushion airbag almost never come standard rear side impact airbags usually like a four hundred dollar option for bmw and Mercedes but standard on the corolla that's pretty darn cool i gotta admit in the back you're gonna have latch aka lower anchors and tethers for children for the rear car seats rear child door locks back there as well tire pressure monitoring system it's all pretty standard at this point but here's where toyota really gets it right also standard for every single trim level it's called toyota safety sense 2.0 this gives you a ton of advanced safety features including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection lane departure alert with steering assist automatic high beams road sign assist which essentially tells you the speed limit of any given road love that lane tracing assist and dynamic radar cruise control some of those again optional and even luxury automakers so absolutely love that x le and x se trim levels also add blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert and that is actually optional for the se trim level again we have that option as well today but overall when it comes to my final thoughts here of the 2021 toyota corolla great standard safety again it's an ihs top safety pixel when it comes to safety the corolla really doesn't get better when it comes to compact cars great reliability you know this is going to last over 200,000 miles let alone 300,000 even good fuel economy on the constructive criticism side it's kind of slow turbocharged engine i wouldn't mind it that we definitely put it on the same playing field as the Honda Civic they have a turbocharged engine of course a little better acceleration there would be nice having said that i don't think i would want toyota to do it before they made sure it was completely reliable and maybe that's what's holding them back because that's really what toyota is known for reliability so whenever you're ready toyota CVT transmission is somewhat emotionless as well although they did a decent job of simulating shifting in this although for me personally even if you put a six-speed automatic a basic six-speed automatic in this thing it's still better than a CVT but anyways lastly although the suspension and steering feel got better in 2020 it's still not quite as good as some of the competitors that i've driven like the Civic like the Mazda 3 and even the Nissan Sentra now is a really good steering feel but so i wouldn't mind it a little heavier weight to the steering feel especially maybe even if it's just in that sport mode that would be fine with me but overall this is definitely a solid pick if you wanted to save a ton of your money and you wanted an excellent commuter car this is going to last you forever so therefore it is going to save you a ton of money there so Kroll is definitely a solid pick and that about rounds out this review you guys thank you so much for watching if you're free to follow me on social media at the bottom of the screen there if you like be sure to hit the subscribe and the bell notification button if you're into new car reviews that is what we do here on this channel after all do appreciate you guys watching more than you know and i will see you guys all in the next video stay gold