The 2021 Toyota Corolla benefits from a much-needed redesign, making it more competitive in the already strong compact sedan class. The Corolla has plenty of rivals, like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and the Mazda 3 just to name a few. Each one is affordable for shoppers who want to stick to their budget. So how does the new Corolla measure up"

This week, we drove the 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE to find out.

Toyota Corolla: What?s New For 2021"

Now in its 12th generation, the Corolla gained new styling upgrades last year and a new Apex Edition this year. The Apex Edition is offered with an upgraded suspension, lower ride height, and summer performance tires for driving enthusiasts. The 2021 Toyota Corolla is also offered as a hatchback and as a hybrid.
The Toyota Corolla gets standard Android Auto compatibility, new rear-seat side airbags for the sedan, and an automatic engine stop-start feature.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla has slimmer A-pillars to help with visibility.

2021 Toyota Corolla XSE: Features & Options

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE comes standard with LED headlights, automatic high beams, a rearview camera, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The XSE includes a Wi-Fi hotspot, seven-inch touchscreen (our tester had an upgraded eight-inch screen with navigation), a USB port, and a six-speaker sound system. Joining the standard Android Auto is Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. The newly-redesigned Corolla also has&...