What First-Drive Reviewers Are Saying About the 2019 Corolla Hatchback

With more than 45 million units sold over the automobile’s 45-year history, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling vehicle of all time. In 2019, it builds upon its winning ways with the brand-new 2019 Corolla Hatchback. This replacement for the former Scion-branded Corolla iM is one of the most exciting ventures from Toyota in recent memory, rivaling its competition while filling a void within Toyota’s lineup. If you’re a fan of a hot hatch, get ready for the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

A Rally Racer or a Family Car?

As soon as you lay eyes on the 2019 Corolla Hatchback, you’ll start to question yourself. Is it a family car or a souped-up rally racer? The answer is probably a bit of both. Every aspect from the front bumpers to the back of the hatch is tastefully sculpted, yet the rear opens upward to accommodate all kinds of cargo for families. The rear portion also adds a spoiler that improves the aerodynamics while also giving the Corolla a racy appearance. LED taillights finish out the stunning looks of the rear.

The front gets an aggressive grille that’s delightfully blunt, yet straight to the point. There’s no chrome accents or other bling here. Paired with 17-inch alloy wheels, the Corolla has all the familiar cues of a rally car, yet it doesn’t compromise its usefulness as a versatile, family vehicle.

New Engine Specs

The all-new, Dynamic Force 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gets things rolling for the 2019 Corolla Hatchback, offering a sexy 168 horsepower and up to 151 pound-feet of torque. This beats out its predecessor, the 2018 Corolla iM by a 31-horsepower margin, creating improved performance across the board. The Corolla iM was no slouch, but the hatch provides a 0-60 of 8.7 seconds, a 0-100 of 25 seconds, and a quarter-mile in just 16.7 seconds. Tack on a top speed of 115 mph and the Corolla Hatchback is a speedy little bugger.

Handling and Transmission Upgrades

A powerful engine doesn’t necessarily equate to a superb driving experience. Toyota noticed. That’s why the Corolla Hatchback comes with a sports-tuned suspension and your choice of either a rev-matching, six-speed manual transmission or an all-new fixed ratio continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Driving purists will assuredly gravitate to the manual transmission, which offers swift shifting and near-perfect gear ratios and revving. However, it’s the CVT with a fixed ratio and manual shift mode that’s garnering most of the attention.

This inventive transmission starts first gear with an automatic transmission-style acceleration, quickly switching to the CVT once you hit second gear. In total, the CVT comes with 10 simulated gear ratios. These mate with paddle shifters found on the steering wheel, allowing you to switch gears at your discretion, making it the first CVT of its kind to allow that type of shifting. This also provides the most efficient mix of power and fuel economy, boasting quick giddy-up and up to 37 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city.

With impressive style, speed, and amenities, the 2019 Corolla Hatchback is more than just your average hatch. Look for it to hit Toyota showrooms in late summer or early fall.

Image via DealerOn

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