2024 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Is Throwing Shade at Its Competitors

The Toyota Corolla is a compact car that, when first introduced in 1966, was classified as subcompact. By 1974, it had become the best-selling car worldwide maintaining that title consistently over the years. In 1997, the Corolla achieved a significant milestone by becoming the best-selling nameplate in the world, surpassing the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. The twelfth-generation of the Corolla, currently available in three body styles, marked a new chapter in its history with the introduction of the hatchback version for the North American market. This version was unveiled on 28 March 2018 at the New York International Auto Show and went on sale in the United States later in the year. For 2023, the 12th-gen received multiple updates to the exterior which includes redesigned LED headlights, new front fascia and grill designs, as well as modified rear diffusers and bumper styling. My press loan for the week was the Ice-Cap White 2024 Corolla Hatchback with the limited edition Nightshade trim that will be used in conjunction with the mid-level SE option package.

Nightshade Exclusives

Fun, exciting, and advanced, this special edition Corolla blends engineering, sporty performance, and luxury touches, setting a new standard for compact hatchbacks. This special edition features blacked-out badging and black accents, adding an extra touch of character to the Corolla's feature-packed lineup. The low, wide, and aggressive stance is highlighted by the 18" bronze-finished wheels. There is a black sport mesh grille, black-capped heated power outside mirrors, and black sport side rocker panels. The eye-catching details continue around the back with a black shark fin antenna, rear lip spoiler, lower diffuser, and black out badging. The hatchback also boasts a striking two-toned color combination with a black roof, complemented by a large black vented sport wing for an extra dose of personality.

Superb Handling

The Nightshade hatchback models are constructed on the Toyota New Global Architecture-C (GA-C) platform. This platform is crafted with high-tensile steel, high-strength adhesives, and precise laser screw welding. This type of engineering ensures a highly rigid structure with, a low center of gravity, and when combined with the standard independent MacPherson-type strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar and multi-link rear suspension, the desired blend of sporty handling dynamics and ride comfort is easily achieved.

Engine Performance

The inline-4-cylinder gas-powered Hatchback enhances its performance with 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, achieving a respectable 0-60 mph time in under 9 seconds. It has a manufacturer-estimated non-hybrid MPG rating of 41 on the highway, 32 in the city, and 35 combined. Just an old school inline engine doing its thing making hybrids blush like it did with so many other engines over the decades. This engine is paired with Toyota's Dynamic-Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT), which merges the immediate response of a traditional fixed first gear with the efficiency of a CVT. This innovative system uses a gearset for start-off acceleration before seamlessly transitioning to the CVT's pulley system for a smooth, linear acceleration feel.

SE Interior Styling

The Corolla Hatchback interior features a relaxing and open interior designed to surround you with comfort and convenience. Controls are intuitively placed within reach, while piano-black accents and available soft-touch materials on the dash and doors and metallic interior trim, chrome interior door handles, and a leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel provide a level of premium comfort and polish unexpected in a compact sedan. There are also SofTex®-trimmed sport seats, with sport fabric inserts, that are 6-way adjustable for the driver's seat and 4-way adjustable for the front passenger seat ensuring a comfortable ride. The interior is further enhanced by the 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen which offers interactive features through sight, touch, and voice activation, along with an integrated backup camera, Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ compatibility. There is a 4.2-in. color TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) premium driver instrumentation cluster that is customizable. Additional conveniences include one 12V auxiliary power outlet, two front USB-C ports, two rear USB-C ports, and a moonroof to let in sunshine or to gaze at the stars.

Toyota Safety System+ 3.0

Toyota Safety System+ 3.0 is a comprehensive suite of active safety equipment and convenience features. Toyota Safety System+ 3.0 represents another step towards Toyota's ultimate vision of an accident-free world. Standard on all Corolla's, Toyota's Safety System+ 3.0 is an integrated suite of advanced safety technologies designed to help in certain circumstances, from alerting you of a pedestrian* to helping you maintain a preset speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead. To learn about all of the safety features that will be part of the TSS+ 3.0 System click here.

I really liked the Nightshade Edition's eye-catching design for the Corolla Hatchback. It looks right at home on the former and somewhat domesticated rally car. Toss in the advanced engineering and sporty performance and I believe the Corolla has set a new standard for compact hatchbacks, ensuring a new wave of next-gen buyers, extending the Corolla's dominance on the world stage. Go drive one and see what you think.

Specifications

Engine: 169 horsepower Inline 4-Cylinder
Transmission: Dynamic-Shift CVT
Wheels: 18" bronze-finished wheels
Color: Ice-Cap White
Fuel: 41/32/35 (mpg city/highway/combined)
MSRP (shown): $26, 578

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
Toyota | Corolla

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 39 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.