2020 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The base trim for the hatchback is the SE. It has 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED taillights, and Smart Key entry. The XSE adds 18-inch alloy wheels and LED fog lights, while the new SE Nightshade Edition gets you black-painted wheels, black exterior badging, a black rear spoiler, and several other black exterior trim elements.

Power for the Corolla hatchback comes from a 2.0-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine. It generates 168 horsepower and has a peak torque of 151 pound-feet. A six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive come standard, and you also get the option for a continuous variable transmission (CVT) that comes with paddle shifters.

The six-speed manual transmission has downshift matching, making it fun and easy to drive. If you opt for the CVT, you'll get one of the best on the market. It offers a smooth ride and includes a built-in launch gear that provides instant acceleration when you start from a complete stop. The sporty suspension system that Toyota has for the 2020 hatchback keeps it composed around tight corners, and it rides smoothly over most road surfaces. This sporty model also has a well-weighted steering system.

There is room for five in the hatchback with an impressive amount of space for all passengers. In the back, you'll find 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats, and 23.3 cubic feet if you fold the seats down. The base trim comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a split-folding rear seat, and automatic climate control, while the XSE adds leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

Technology in the 2020 Corolla hatchback starts with an 8-inch touch screen display, the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa, and voice controls. Entune 3.0 Plus comes in the XSE, and if you have the CVT, you can add wireless charging and an upgraded 8-speaker JBL stereo system that comes with navigation.

The Corolla Hatchback comes standard with the Safety Sense 2.0 suite. This includes driver assist systems such as lane departure alert, steering assist, forward collision warning, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and a daytime pedestrian and cyclist detection system. Adaptive cruise control is also part of this group, along with lane tracing assist and traffic sign recognition. Choosing the CVT gets you an upgraded version of the Safety Sense 2.0 that comes with paddle shifters along with a drive mode select system with three different levels.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is an available option depending on the trim, and you have the option of adaptive headlights.