Some family car buyers don’t want a diesel, they find petrol too inefficient, and they’re not ready to go all-out and invest in an electric.

You’d think car buying would be tough for these people. Probably. Until they happen upon the Toyota Corolla.

Toyota describes the Corolla as a ‘self-charging’ hybrid. It doesn’t require overnight charging to perform at its best—you can simply treat it like a regular petrol. Every time you apply the brakes, a small battery is topped up automatically, which in turn powers an electric motor, improving efficiency. If you’re gentle, you can even drive the Corolla solely on battery power for short distances. But before we get into details, let’s check out the Corolla’s key stats.

Equipment, options and extras

The Toyota Corolla’s entry-level Icon trim comes with everything you need: heated power-folding door mirrors, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, satnav, parking sensors and 16in alloy wheels. However, you’d be understandably tempted to upgrade to the Design trim for its rain-sensing wipers, privacy glass, auto-dimming rearview mirror and 17in alloy wheels. Finally there’s the range-topping Excel, as well as the seriously stylish GR Sport—although the goodies they both bring don’t justify the premium as far as we’re concerned.

Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2

The Toyota Corolla makes a lot of sense as a private purchase. It prices more highly than some of its rivals, but it’s also predicted to retain its value better, which makes its PCP finance payments surprisingly affordable.

In terms of CO2, the Corolla lies somewhere between petrol and pure electric, delivering some impressive emissions stats. And thanks to certain tax benefits, the Corolla is cheaper to run as a company car than most of its rivals. The 1.8L engine emits as little as 102g/km—that’s less than any Ford Focus—and recent revisions to its hybrid system could serve to cut that figure even more dramatically.

Safety and security

Euro NCAP awarded the Toyota Corolla five stars for safety, although it’s only fair to note that its last test was in 2019, when the testing procedure was less stringent. That being said, the Corolla remains safer than most family cars, coming with a raft of active safety aids that help you avoid a collision in the first place: lane-departure warning, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam assistance. Even the cheapest versions of the Corolla include these features as standard. The only notable aid that’s unavailable across the range is blind spot monitoring, reserved for the range-topping Excel trim. The Corolla also has an alarm and immobiliser as standard.

Reliability

As with every Toyota model, the Corolla comes with a 5-year or 100,000-mile warranty as standard. That’s longer cover than you get with pretty much any other family car—only the Kia Ceed’s 7-year warranty surpasses it.

The Car Planet verdict

The Toyota Corolla is a superlative family car: practical, comfortable, frugal and well equipped. We might quibble over its slightly disappointing rear passenger space—but as long as that’s not a dealbreaker for you, the Corolla will surely prove a brilliant buy.

Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand Toyota Corollas today and let’s get the ball rolling!