The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Adds Fun to All Its Sensibility

The 2023 Toyota Corolla has been sold in this country for over 55 years and is now in its 12th generation. And with some notable exceptions, it has generally been thought of as the epitome of a sensible choice. Efficient, reliable, durable, comfortable, easy to drive, and spacious for its size, these have all been staples of the Corolla brand. All of those descriptions certainly apply to the 2023 Corolla Hybrid, with particular emphasis on the efficiency part. But Valley Hi Toyota wants to let you in on a little secret. The Toyota Hybrid is also fun to drive.

For 2023 the Corolla Hybrid has hit the gym. Its horsepower has increased by 13 to 134, but more noticeable is the whopping 48% increase in torque, rising from 105 to 156 lb-ft. That torque increase gives you the push right when you want it most, such as passing a truck on a two-lane highway or charging up to speed on a freeway on-ramp. It may not be any threat to our line of GR performance models, but it can make everyday driving a bit more lively.

Hybrid Efficiency with All-Wheel Drive Dexterity 

Perhaps it is no surprise then that Toyota has greatly expanded the Corolla lineup from just one grade to five. Among them are two grades with the Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system. It uses an additional rear-mounted electric motor to provide power to the rear wheels when needed avoiding the need for a full-length driveshaft or front/rear differential. And it means that you can now count on the Corolla to be composed on a ski trip up to Big Bear or a rain-soaked road trip up the coast. 

While the Corolla hybrid is not the only model in its segment with AWD, it is the only one to come on top of a series of winter driving tests conducted by independent automotive testing firm AMCI. 

AMCI looked at three 2023 compact cars equipped with AWD, which besides the Corolla Hybrid, included the Mazda3 Hatchback Premium and the Subaru Impreza Premium sedan. They measured each of the vehicles’ AWD traction and acceleration on snow, ice, and a combination of the two on a split surface. Each of the surfaces was also tested at full-throttle acceleration for four different speed intervals (0-20, 0-30, 0-50, and 0-100 MPH). 

They also tested each model’s AWD active-safety performance. Each vehicle was driven at its maximum-possible speed around a two-lane displaced obstacle, then back to its original lane on a consistently groomed-snow surface. If available, ice/snow mode was used, and all electronic-driving aids were active. Upon completion of the tests, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid scored higher overall than Subaru Impreza and Mazda 3 in the snow.

“With the addition of four grades to Corolla Hybrid, we’ve added our Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive system to Corolla,”  says Blake Williams, vehicle marketing at Toyota Motor North America. “Offered on both LE and SE Hybrid trims, this system is not only efficient, but it has some major wins when it comes to winter-weather testing.”

Having Fun with Confidence

Even with AWD, the 2023 Corolla has an EPA-estimated 48 combined mpg.  FWD models bump that up to an even 50 mpg. And not only is the efficiency still there, but so is peace of mind in terms of safety. The standard Star Safety System includes a host of dedicated safety braking and handling features, such as:

• Traction Control
• Electronic Brake-Force Distribution
• Brake Assist
• Anti-Lock Braking System

Every Toyota also includes the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advanced safety, and driver assist technology, including:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
• Road Sign Assist (RSA)
• Automatic High Beams (AHB)

And when it comes to technology inside the cabin, the Corolla delivers with a new easy-to-use touchscreen and plenty of connection options.

“Along with Corolla’s comfortable ride, we added the new Toyota Audio Multimedia System standard on all grades. Equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto compatibility, the Toyota Audio Multimedia System offers a cleaner, more user-friendly infotainment experience at passengers’ fingertips,” says Williams.The Corolla may be the entry-level vehicle for Toyota, but the key word there is “Toyota” The Corolla is built to deliver all the attributes Toyota is known for, including exceeding expectations. Come to Valley Hi Toyota and let the 2023 Corolla Hybrid surprise you.

Tags: Corolla, features, hybrid, informative, Toyota, upgrades
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