Is the 2023 Corolla hatchback hybrid?

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid has a revised hybrid powertrain, available all-wheel drive, and updated tech features for 2023. Pricing starts at $22,800.

If you like the idea of a practical and affordable compact car with hybrid efficiency, you’ll love the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. It gets a pretty big update for the 2023 model year with refreshed styling, a revised hybrid powertrain with higher output, updated tech features, and available all-wheel drive (AWD).

Another big update is the fact that it now has three trims rather than just one in previous years. That means more variety to appeal to a broader range of buyers. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is another ultra-efficient compact sedan.

2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Pricing

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid starts at $22,800 for the base LE model, $25,200 for the SE trim, and $26,600 for the top XLE model. AWD is a $1,400 option for the LE and SE trims.

A $1,095 destination fee applies to all Corolla models.

The 2023 Corolla Hybrid is a little more affordable than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.

Driving the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

As of this writing, we haven’t had a chance to test the revised hybrid powertrain in the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

However, we can make an educated guess of how it will drive based on the earlier models that have been around since 2020. In our experience, the Corolla Hybrid is an agreeable car to drive with easy driving dynamics.

Toyota promised an increased output this year, but there’s no official horsepower rating yet. Any improvement over the 121-hp rating of the outgoing hybrid powertrain will be a welcome upgrade.

Also, the addition of the new AWD option will undoubtedly give the Corolla Hybrid better all-season traction. This is a desirable feature for drivers in snowy climates.

Interior Comfort

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid has a pleasant interior. The front seats are all-day comfortable, and the rear seats are roomy enough for most adults. Now that the Corolla Hybrid is available in three trims rather than just one, it has more premium options available. The top XLE model has SofTex seats, a 7-inch driver information screen, and an optional JBL audio system.

The repackaged lithium-ion battery under the rear seats should yield more trunk space, but the trunk is still pretty small, even in the non-hybrid Corolla sedan. Consider the Toyota Prius hatchback if you want a compact hybrid with more cargo flexibility.

Exterior Styling

The Corolla Hybrid gets slightly refreshed styling for 2023. It has revised front and rear designs and is now available in three trims, so there’s a little more visual variety in its model range. The SE trim has a sporty appearance package, and the XLE trim has a more upscale look.

Favorite Features

1. Efficient hybrid powertrain
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid uses an efficient hybrid powertrain that’s good on gas. It’s been revised for 2023 with two more magnets for increased output and a lithium-ion battery under the rear seats to make more trunk space. We expect it to return over 50 mpg.

2. Available AWD
All-wheel drive is an uncommon option in this class. The Corolla Hybrid will be the only variant of the Corolla with available AWD, a desirable feature you can’t get on the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.

3. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
This updated suite of safety tech bundles many driver assistance features. It has full-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more.

4. 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia
This user-friendly touchscreen is loaded with connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It’s easy to bring the maps, music, and more from your phone to the screen in your Corolla Hybrid.

5. Excellent hybrid battery warranty
Toyota hybrids have a good track record for reliability. Toyota adds peace of mind to the Corolla Hybrid with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty on the hybrid battery.

6. Intelligent Assistant
This optional feature makes the infotainment system in the Corolla Hybrid a little smarter. Say “Hey, Toyota” to access directions, audio, climate controls, and more, all through voice commands.

Engine & Transmission

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid uses a conventional hybrid powertrain that’s received some revisions for 2023. It’s a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine mated to dual permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. Additionally, it has a compact, high-output/low-loss drive motor with two additional magnets over the old system. Finally, a new lithium-ion battery is located under the rear seat to make more room in the trunk and lower the center of gravity.

Toyota hasn’t confirmed a horsepower rating for the new hybrid system, but it promises increased output over the 121-hp rating of the outgoing Corolla Hybrid.

We also don’t have an official fuel economy rating, but we expect it to be similar to the 53 city/52 mpg rating of the 2022 model.

One of the most exciting updates for 2023 is the addition of all-wheel drive as an option. Alongside the Toyota Prius, the Corolla Hybrid is one of the only compact hybrid models you can get with AWD.

KBB Vehicle Review and Rating Methodology

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.

Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)

We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.

More About How We Rate Vehicles

Will there be a 2023 Corolla hatchback hybrid?

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toyota Corolla Hybrid enters the 2023 model year as a thoroughly upgraded model.

Is the Corolla hatchback a hybrid?

The Corolla uses a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While all hatchbacks share that same powertrain, the sedan also offers a hybrid powertrain.

Is the 2022 Corolla hybrid a hatchback?

The 2022 Corolla features easy-to-use controls, superb fuel economy, and comfortable ride quality. This is a compact value that offers value for money. Corolla has an unsurpassed reputation for reliability. It is available as a hybrid sedan and a hatchback.

Will the 2023 Corolla hatchback have AWD?

Toyota adds all-wheel drive to the Corolla Hybrid and broadens its appeal.