Emphasizing a bold new look and its bumper-to-bumper, wheels-to-roof transformation, the all-new 12^th-generation, 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan continues its legacy as an economical top-selling sedan. The best-selling nameplate in the world with 46 million units sold since its introduction in 1966, Corolla is currently the ninth top-selling vehicle and third best-selling sedan in America. The new-generation Corolla follows last year’s Hatchback launch with a 52mpg-Corolla Hybrid and a trendy new dynamic look for the sedan with Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform for improved stability, agility and comfort. The TNGA platform is new to the sedan and imparts increased rigidity, and the rear suspension has beefed up with a new, more sophisticated multilink system.

Also new for 2020 are Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (standard), a new 169-horsepower, TNGA 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine – available in addition to the standard 1.8-liter powerplant, available Dynamic-Shift CVT or six-speed manual transmission, standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and Wi-Fi Connect. My test Corolla SE came with the larger 2.0-liter engine, normal and sport driving modes, front-wheel-drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, Dark Gray Metallic Sport Side Rocker panels and color-keyed rear spoiler, sport mesh Dark Gray Metallic front grille with LED accent lighting, 8-inch touchscreen, and sporty interior coolness with a center stack screen providing access to vehicle settings, audio controls, navigation, and audio multimedia.

From every angle, the new Corolla sedan looks lower and leaner, tauter and tighter. Powerful fender flares and generously curved fender top surfaces accent its sculpted, athletic demeanor. It’s not the econobox your parents drove in the ‘60s. The compact Corolla is shorter, wider and lower in this generation for increased stability, shortening length by 0.8 inches to 182.3 inches; gaining 0.2 inches in width to 70.1 and losing 0.8 inches in height to 56.5 inches, on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase, though the platform is brand new -- Toyota's New Global Architecture. Curbweight goes from 2910 lbs. to 3150 lbs. depending on trims and accessories, putting on from 50 to 100 lbs. Ground clearance is lower by more than an inch, at 5.1 inches.

Corolla has been known for its fuel economy and that continues this year. The 2020 Corolla offers two efficient engines, a 1.8-liter, 16-valve inline-four-cylinder engine and a direct-injection 2.0-liter Dynamic Force inline-4. The base 1.8-liter unit gains 7hp and delivers 139 horses with the same 126 lb-ft of torque as did the last generation. The 2.0-liter is good for 169hp and 151 lb-ft., where the top-tuned engine of Gen-11 put out 140hp. In keeping with the Corolla mission, Corolla’s 1.8-liter is EPA rated at 30mpg/city, 38mpg/highway and 33mpg/overall. The 2.0 is rated at 31/38/34, and one setup can get you 40mpg on the highway.

The front-wheel-drive system may not be a track star, but it did show energy and finished a zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.9 seconds (hand-timed), during a 16.2-second hand-timed quarter-mile. Showing the economical fuel consumption that first built its following, my test ride averaged 30.2mpg in mixed-use driving.

Corolla’s Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and rear multi-link with stabilizer bar smoothed out road imperfections better than old econocars did, but it isn’t quite up to lavish ride status.

With seating for five, Corolla provides the same 38.3 inches of front headroom as last year, and 37.1 inches in row two. However, legroom loses a bit from last year at 42.0 inches in the first row and a tighter 34.8 inches in the second seats. Shoulder room is comfortable at 54.0 up front and cozier at 51.7 in row two. The cabin is packed with infotainment, climate features, cool upscale lighting and instrumentation, and various informational displays that are driver-friendly. The cabin is quieter than ever thanks to the new structure, drivetrain improvements and insulation. Cabin environment is improved with Corolla sedan’s fully redesigned air conditioning system that employs smarter climate control, as its innovative twin-layer recirculation/fresh air induction unit reduces glass fogging while promoting recirculation of warm cabin air in lower areas.

From a safety perspective, the 2020 Corolla sedan features eight standard airbags and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System, and Smart Stop Technology, and all Corolla sedan models come equipped with a standard backup camera. Significantly, all 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan models are equipped standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, an advanced suite of integrated active and pre-collision safety features.

Starting at under $20,000 for the base 2020 Toyota Corolla L ($19,600), Corolla comes in seven trims, including the Hybrid LE, which bases at $23,100. The top XSE trim starts at $25,550, and my test SE trim, second in the lineup, starts at $22,050. Barcelona Red exterior paint was mated to a Light Gray/Moonstone fabric interior and we added one of three SE Premium Packages available, the middle option, for $2315 that included a ton of Siri, Alexa, Apple, Verizon WiFi and remote connect capabilities, GPS, Blindspot warning, remote keyless entry, color-keyed heated outside mirrors, and much more. Bodyside moldings added $209, Door Edge Guards added $125, Mudguards added $129, and Delivery, Processing and Handling fees of $995 put the sticker-as-tested at $25,823. 

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

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