The Toyota Corolla has always been a great value. It’s seldom an inspiring car (though there is that one now). But it’s the best-selling nameplate in history because of its reliability, rock-solid resale value, and comfort for the buck.
None of that will change for the 2023 model year. But the Japanese automaker is updating its compact Corolla sedan and hatchback and Corolla Cross SUV lineup with some notable upgrades coming this fall.
2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan and Hatchback
Styling Tweaks and More Powerful Engine for the Corolla LE
It’s not time for a complete redesign—this Corolla has only been around for three years–but Toyota has given its compact car a slight visual update. The Corolla comes in sedan and hatchback body styles that now share the same headlight design. Hatchbacks get a reshaped rear bumper, too.
The Corolla is available with two 4-cylinder gasoline engines: a 1.8-litre making 139 horsepower and a more powerful 2.0L unit making 169. The popular LE got the smaller engine in 2022. It receives the larger one for 2023, meaning only the base L carries the least-powerful mill.
Traction at Four Wheels Now Available in the Corolla Hybrid Lineup
In 2022, the Corolla Hybrid came only in the LE trim level and only in front-wheel drive (FWD) form. But with Canadians demanding more fuel-efficient cars, Toyota will offer us a greater choice of gas-electric mild-hybrid versions, plus the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD).
For 2023, the Corolla Hybrid LE FWD is gaining three new siblings: the LE AWD trim, sporty SE AWD, and a luxury-oriented XSE AWD trim.
Improved Safety and Entertainment
All Corollas get Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance package. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Buyers can add parking assistance and new adaptive headlights as options.
The standard 8-inch infotainment screen can now receive over-the-air updates. That means Toyota can improve software on the fly, adding new features or saving drivers a trip to the dealer for recalls that can be fixed with software patches. Finally, the 2023 Corolla now gets Toyota’s natural language speech assistant. That lets drivers adjust climate controls, directions, and other settings with voice commands. You wake it up by saying, “Hey, Toyota.”
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
The Toyota Corolla Cross was already one of the most practical small SUVs. Now, Toyota has made it more fuel-efficient amid record gas prices. If there’s a layup in the automotive world, it’s this one.
With the new hybrid powertrain, coupled with the Corolla Sedan and Hatchback AWD system, the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid offers increased power and fuel economy. With 194 hp and an 8.2-second 0-100 km/h time, the Corolla Cross Hybrid promises a manufacturer-estimated combined fuel consumption of 6.4 L/100 km for all trims.
The 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid will be available in two new grades in Canada: SE and XSE. Like its sedan and hatchback siblings, all Corolla Cross models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and the new Toyota Multimedia System,.
Pricing for the updated 2023 Corolla and Corolla Cross will be announced later this summer, and models will be available at Canadian Toyota dealerships later this year.
