Used 2022 Toyota Corolla

Ah, the 2022 Toyota Corolla. Not just a compact sedan, but a pillar of the automotive establishment. One of the world’s best-selling cars over 12 generations and several decades. It didn’t reach these lofty heights of success by being unpredictable, radical or edgy.

Instead, the Corolla represents a safe buy, in more ways than one. It’s safe from an occupant protection point of view, yet also in terms of running costs, resale values, and reliability. You might still get lost occasionally, but you’ll always know where you are with a Corolla.

The broader 2022 Corolla range goes beyond this sedan. There’s the hybrid version and the hatchback variant, each with their own separate review.

How old is this generation of Toyota Corolla? It debuted for the 2020 model year, so no need to worry about it being superseded by a newer car for quite some time. All the tech and hardware are still fresh.

Perfectly acceptable. That’s how the Corolla rides. Favoring comfort, but with an undercurrent of control that becomes more perceptible when the driver decides to work the car a little harder than usual.

Not that there’s much incentive to do so. The 1.8-liter engine in the L, LE, and XLE trims is suitable for commuting and running errands, but it’s only marginally more entertaining than a houseplant.

The 2.0-liter engine powering the SE and XSE models is more enthusiastic, as it should be. Toyota also gives these models a sport-tuned suspension. Although we would still point thrill-seekers toward the Mazda3.

A manual transmission in the SE is a wonderful, almost eccentric inclusion. It allows the driver to become more involved than with an automatic, enabling upshifts at higher engine speeds (to the detriment of fuel economy, though) and has intelligent rev-matching for smooth downshifts.

Toyota provides continuously variable transmissions (CVT) for those who prefer an automatic. These devices are typically quite slow to respond, but Toyota has given them some attention and even fitted a special version to 2022 Corolla models with the 2.0-liter engine. The result is a sharper launch from a standstill.

What’s the difference between the 2022 Corolla sedan and the Corolla hatchback? Apart from the obvious luggage-lugging abilities, the sedan is the version to choose if there are going to be frequent trips with rear passengers. The sedan supplies 34.8 inches of legroom for the back seats, compared with the hatchback’s stingy 29.9 inches.

Up front, the dashboard is kept tidy, although the infotainment screen is a touch too prominent. Cabin materials are all pleasant, especially in the higher trims. And it’s easy enough to attain a comfortable driving position.

Trunk space of 13.1 cubic feet is enough for three sets of golf clubs, and the rear seats split and fold in 60/40 fashion.

There’s a certain family resemblance to the larger Camry and Avalon sedans, with a similar amount of sharp-looking shapes, as if the designer was influenced by chefs’ knives.

The lower two trims both have steel wheels with plastic covers. It’s not until the SE trim that alloy wheels are standard.

As the name suggests, the SE Nightshade Edition has various black exterior elements. The Apex versions follow a similar pattern, with black grilles and black-finished alloy wheels, plus model-specific exhaust systems with conical tailpipe tips.

A couple of changes to the 2022 Corolla have occurred in the paint department. Ruby Flare Pearl replaces Barcelona Red Metallic, and Windchill Pearl takes over from Blizzard Pearl.

SMART KEY SYSTEM
It’s so convenient being able to unlock the front doors or the trunk just by walking up to them. Optional in the LE and SE, standard in the XLE and XSE.

JBL AUDIO SYSTEM
It’s optional, but worth considering. JBL shares a parent company with Mark Levinson, the brand that supplies excellent sound systems to Lexus.

The humblest new Corolla is the L trim, running on 15-inch steel wheels. But it still comes with LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, disc brakes at each wheel, power windows/locks, and hill start assistance.

Safety features include 10 airbags, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning/lane-centering assistance, and automatic high beams. The 2022 Corolla is also one of the cheapest new cars to come with full-speed radar-based adaptive cruise control as standard.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration and Amazon Alexa compatibility are also on board, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, one USB port, satellite radio, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.

However, try and stretch the finances for a higher trim. The LE has nicer cloth upholstery, automatic climate control (as opposed to basic air conditioning), rear armrest with cup holders, rear USB port, and an 8-inch touchscreen. SE has the gutsier engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, moonroof, keyless entry/ignition, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

There aren’t many extras for the L version, although it is possible to have 18-inch alloy wheels fitted. LE offers a greater choice of exterior paint colors, plus keyless entry/ignition, sunroof, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

SE brings the alternative of an automatic transmission with paddle shifters, some of the LE’s options, and a 9-speaker JBL audio system. Apex versions of the SE and XSE have a lowered sport suspension.

For heated front seats and an upholstery of simulated leather, check out the XLE. The top XLE and XSE models also have adaptive front lighting on their options list, in addition to wireless charging and the JBL sound system.

A 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine is in the L, LE, and XLE trim levels. It makes a modest 139 horsepower and drives the front wheels through an automatic transmission.

The sportier SE and XSE models have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing a livelier 169 horsepower. The SE even has a 6-speed manual transmission as standard; the XSE has an automatic. Once again, front-wheel drive is the only arrangement.

Regular gasoline is fine and a few drops of it can be saved with the engine stop/restart function.

1.8-liter inline-4
139 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
126 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 30/38 mpg (L, LE), 29/37 mpg (XLE)

2.0-liter inline-4
169 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
151 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/36 mpg (manual SE), 31/40 mpg (auto SE), 31/38 mpg (auto XSE)