Which Corolla Gets You the Most for Your Money?Michael Simari - Car and DriverIf you're wondering which trim level of the Toyota Corolla to buy, we recommend the SE.Available as a sedan or a hatchback, the SE has sporty looks, sport seats, and a solid list of standard features.The Corolla SE sedan is available with a gas or hybrid powertrain, while the hatch is gas-only.See Our Comprehensive Toyota Corolla Make-Model PageThe Toyota Corolla is a fuel-efficient small car offered as both a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback; a hybrid powertrain is offered on the sedan and is available with all-wheel drive. That's a lot of permutations and combinations for one lineup, and choosing just one can get confusing. But we're here to make the process easier. If you're shopping for a Corolla, we can save you some time by recommending the trim level and options that pack the best value.Which Corolla Trim Level Is the Best?We're partial to the SE trim, as it's the sporty option in the standard Corolla lineup, with a stiffer suspension tune that makes it more enjoyable to drive. All Corolla SE models feature a leather-trimmed steering wheel, cloth sport seats, LED headlights, and an infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Sedans get shiny black 18-inch wheels, while the SE hatch rides on smaller silver-painted 16-inch rims.Michael Simari - Car and DriverThe full feature set varies somewhat depending on whether you choose a gas sedan or hatchback or the hybrid sedan. On gas models, the SE trim also brings an unconventional continuously variable automatic transmission that has a fixed first "launch" gear. It makes acceleration from a stop feel like what you'd get with a conventional automatic, without the odd rubber-band effect that CVTs are often derided for. The SE hatchback is the least expensive of the lot, starting at $25,875, while the gas sedan's SE's base MSRP is $26,860. The Corolla Hybrid SE sedan starts at $28,710.What Options Should You Consider?Aside from paint and interior colors, Toyota doesn't offer many options on the Corolla SE. All-wheel drive, which is only available with the hybrid powertrain, adds $1400. There's a $965 SE Premium package available on the sedan that trades up to a 10.5-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster while adding a wireless phone charger. The hatchback will offer that option package starting with the 2027 model year, while all 2026 Corolla hatches get the wireless charger. For an extra $500, select colors of the gas sedan and hatchback models can be paired with a black roof. Sporty!What Do You Miss Out On in the Higher Trim Levels?Corolla sedans are also available in XSE trim, which adds a moonroof, heated front seats, faux leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver's seat, and the 12.3-inch gauge display and 10.5-inch center touchscreen as standard equipment. A nine-speaker JBL sound system is available.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor 2026, the Corolla hatch is also offered in FX and XSE trims. Both come with a 7.0-inch digital gauge display, heated front seats, and 18-inch wheels. Beyond that, the Corolla FX hatchback is mostly an appearance package, adding orange interior accents, a larger rear wing, black badging, and a throwback Corolla emblem on the hatch. The XSE hatchback adds LED fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux leather upholstery, power adjustments for the driver's seat, and an eight-speaker JBL sound system.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
