2021 Toyota Corolla Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision


in Car Comparisons
Red 2021 Toyota Corolla
2021 Toyota Corolla by MercurySable99 - CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Toyota Corolla is a small but mighty car, offering one of the best commuter options. The 2021 model is one of the more recent years. Like any car, there are some 2021 Toyota Corolla pros and cons - what are they?

If you’re interested in learning more about the 2021 Toyota Corolla pros and cons, you’ve come to the right place. From offering an excellent performance to suffering from less space than in previous years, there’s much to consider. Let’s discuss the details together.

What We Love: 2021 Toyota Corolla Pros

From improved performance to a valuable hatchback, there’s much to celebrate in the Corolla. Let’s dive into the best of the 2021 Toyota Corolla pros and cons.

Improved Performance

The first thing we love about the 2021 Toyota Corolla is its improved performance compared to previous years. In the past, it was a common joke that Corolla’s had a terrible performance and weren’t fun to drive. The 2021 Toyota Corolla makes a massive improvement upon what was once its weakest point.

With the 2021 Toyota Corolla, drivers can invest in a 2.0-liter engine, slightly larger than the classic 1.8-liter engine. You’ll get an excellent 169 horsepower out of the car and 151 pound-feet of torque, which is incredible for a vehicle of its size.

Of course, the Toyota Corolla is far from being a racecar. However, it’s still much better than it has been. 


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Practical Hatchback Body

The Toyota Corolla comes in a practical hatchback selection, which is excellent for those who have a life where they are constantly on the go. No matter what you need to place in the back of the vehicle, the Corolla is there to fit it. Anyone from a CEO to a college student will benefit from the hatchback design.

If you go for the standard version of the 2021 Toyota Corolla, you’ll get 18 cubic feet of space in the rear. Alternatively, you can purchase the Enhanced Caro Kit, which takes out the spare tire and replaces it with a tire repair kit to push the cargo hold to 24 cubic feet. It’s a smart, simple choice that’s worth it if you want more storage on hand.

Top-Notch Commuter Car

Finally, the 2021 Toyota Corolla is one of the best commuter cars on the market, thanks to its combination of reliability and affordability. You don’t have to spend too much, and you can rely on the vehicle to remain in one piece as you use it throughout your years of work. 

Typically, the price for the lowest 2021 Toyota Corolla trim costs less than $21,000. Since this model is more than two years old, you can likely find it for even less.

Also, it doesn’t take very much money to keep the Toyota Corolla’s in one piece. Even someone with a minimum wage job should have little trouble paying to keep the Corolla in the best possible shape. You can hit the road every day worry-free and confident in your car’s ability to get you to where you must go. 


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA COROLLA

While the Corolla’s popularity is warranted and well-deserved, the lineup itself is far from perfect. If you want to buy a used model, you’ll want to invest in the most reliable Toyota Corolla year to get your money’s worth.


What We Dislike: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cons

From being slower than the competition to lacking AWD, there are some disadvantages to the system. Let’s go over the worst of the 2021 Toyota Corolla pros and cons.

Slower Than Competitors

We mentioned how the 2021 Toyota Corolla is a vast improvement in speed from past years - but it’s still much slower than its competitors. For example, the Toyota Corolla’s fastest Apex version has a record of hitting 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds. On the other hand, the Mazda 3 can complete that range of mph in 6.9 seconds. That’s a significant difference.

Of course, not everyone invests in the 2021 Toyota Corolla for its speed. It might be slower than competitors, but it’s reliable and offers plenty of cargo room. However, some do care about speed. Many competitors are far faster than the Corolla if that’s something you care about in your smaller car.

Less Space Inside Than Previously 

In the 2021 Toyota Corolla, there is room for passengers. However, there is noticeably less room than before. It remains a practical and lovable family vehicle, but there is slightly less head and legroom. This change is especially noticeable in the rear of the vehicle, where passengers might feel a bit more cramped.

This tightening of space might not be an issue if you have smaller kids. However, taller families will struggle to fit everyone inside and will find it nearly impossible to go on road trips in the 2021 Toyota Corolla. The Toyota Camry offers a little more room if you have a large family. 

No Available All-Wheel-Drive

Last but not least, there is no available all-wheel drive in the 2021 Toyota Corolla. It’s only a front-wheel drive car, which might be fine for some but problematic for others. This won’t make too much of a difference. It can perform decently in almost any condition - except snow. This weather is where all-wheel drive will make a difference.

Unfortunately, all-wheel drive is completely absent from this year of the Toyota Corolla and isn’t even available as an optional add-on. Consider an alternative like the Subaru Impreza if you live in an area that gets regular snow and want to feel confident in any weather situation.


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Final Thoughts

There are many 2021 Toyota Corolla pros and cons to consider. The car provides improved performance from previous years, practical hatchback body options, and it’s a top-notch commuter car. However, it also is slower than competitors, offers less space than in the past, and has no AWD available. 

We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about the 2021 Toyota Corolla, the easier it will be to decide if it’s an okay choice for your driveway. Some might be able to move past the issues in the system, while others will find them to be too much of an issue. Your choice is the 2021 Toyota Corolla is right for you.



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