Toyota Corolla (2025) Review

The current Corolla is the first one in a long time that is pleasant rather than merely tolerable. The chassis under it is shared with cars two classes up, so it turns in cleanly, rides quietly on the motorway and stops feeling like a penalty box the moment the road bends. The 2.0 litre four makes 169 horsepower and is the least interesting thing here, revving noisily through a continuously variable transmission that does its best work when you leave it alone.

The hybrid variant is the smarter buy if you can find one. Inside you get hard plastics, a small screen on base trims and seats that are flat but supportive enough for a long day. Every car gets the full driver assistance suite, including adaptive cruise that actually works in traffic, which is not a given at this money. The reason to buy remains what it has always been. Parts are everywhere, every mechanic knows the car, insurance is cheap, and the used market will still want it in eight years. Nothing here is impressive. Almost nothing here will ever cost you an unplanned weekend.