As the 2019 Toyota Corolla returns, it has one significant addition. Toyota offers two of its trim levels (SE and XSE) in sedan and hatchback configurations. Otherwise, very little changed from 2018 to 2019.
We like the Corolla for its standard advanced driver aids, ride quality, adult-welcoming rear seat, and solid fuel economy.
Toyota separates the Corolla into six grades: L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, and XSE. All but the LE Eco derive their go from a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine married to an automatic transmission. According to government estimates, it delivers 28 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg in combined driving.
The hatchback versions and the LE Eco use their own specific engines, which we detail below in the trim-level descriptions.
2019 Toyota Corolla L (Original starting price when new: $19,600)
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The 2019 Toyota Corolla L started at $19,600.
Standard are 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, LED headlights and daytime running lights, and power accessories (windows, door locks, and outboard rearview mirrors). Also included are hill-start assist, manual air conditioning, cloth seats, a 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, and a tilt-telescopic steering wheel. An outside temperature display, a USB port, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, a CD player, voice recognition, and Bluetooth are also standard.
Advanced driver aids are high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Toyota doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the L.
Who is this trim for? Anyone looking for an affordable sedan with essential convenience and connectivity features, as well as a generous group of driver aids, will appreciate the L.
2019 Toyota Corolla L includes:
LED headlights – LEDs illuminate a broader and longer area than regular incandescent or halogen lights. That means they are also easier for other drivers to see. Here, they also feature auto on-off.
Tilt-telescopic steering wheel – Allows the driver to set both the height and distance of the steering wheel.
Adaptive cruise control – Once you have engaged the system and set the speed, the system will maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, braking and accelerating as needed.
2019 Toyota Corolla LE (Original starting price when new: $20,050)
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The 2019 Toyota Corolla LE started at $20,050.
To the L, the LE adds heated outboard mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, single-zone automatic climate control, and a 60/40 split-folding backseat. Remote keyless entry and 16-inch steel wheels are also standard.
LE is a gateway to a couple of option packages, including a power moonroof and LED daytime running lights (DRLs).
Who is this trim for? With very little difference in price over the base L, the LE will appeal to buyers with a little more cushion in their budget and a hankering for remote keyless entry and heated outboard mirrors.
2019 Toyota Corolla LE includes:
Heated outboard mirrors – Electrically heated, these mirrors automatically clear away ice, snow, and fog.
Remote keyless entry – You can unlock and lock the vehicle remotely when in range using the fob.
16-inch wheels – Bigger wheels look better even if they have plastic covers.
2019 Toyota Corolla LE Eco (Original starting price when new: $19,535)
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The LE Eco sources go from a unique 140-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. It uses the same automatic transmission as the rest of the trim lineup. However, its fuel economy is better at 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined.
Otherwise, Toyota equips the LE Eco the same as the LE.
Who is this trim for? Buyers who like the LE but want a little better fuel economy will prefer the LE Eco.
2019 Toyota Corolla XLE (Original starting price when new: $24,050)
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The 2019 Toyota Corolla XLE started at $24,050.
Building on the LE, the XLE adds 16-inch alloy wheels, multi-LED headlights, LED DRLs, a power moonroof, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also included are faux-leather seating, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a 4.2-inch color driver-information display.
Toyota’s only option package for the XLE is Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation.
Who is this trim for? With the XLE, Toyota targets buyers who want a few extras for the driver, like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a larger touchscreen, etc.
2019 Toyota Corolla XLE includes:
Power-adjustable driver’s seat – Providing 8-way adjustments, it improves the likelihood you can find the ideal driving position.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel – Adding a sense of richness, this tilt-telescopic steering wheel houses redundant audio-system controls, hands-free phone operation, and adaptive cruise control.
LED DRLs – Creating a brighter signature than normal DRLs, these lights project farther and are easier for oncoming drivers to spot.
2019 Toyota Corolla SE (Original selling price when new: $22,050)
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You may opt for a 6-speed manual transmission (MT) for a $700 upcharge. Taking this option replaces adaptive cruise control with standard cruise control.
Forget what the XLE added. The SE builds on the LE grade’s content. The SE adds 17-inch alloy wheels, multi-LED headlights, LED DRLs, outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, faux-leather seating, and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Also included are Normal and Sport driving modes and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The SE Premium Package adds the 7-inch touchscreen, keyless entry with push-button start, and a power moonroof.
Who is this trim for? The SE should draw buyers looking to inject fun into their driving to the SE with its Sport driving mode and available 6-speed manual transmission.
2019 Toyota Corolla SE includes:
Available 6-speed MT – Offering a more engaging driving experience, this manual transmission allows you to do the shifting.
Mirrors with integrated turn signals – These are power outboard rearview mirrors with turn-signal repeaters installed on their outer shell.
Driving modes – Switching from Normal to Sport mode reduces the throttle pressure required to ramp up engine power. It also changes the steering input needed to turn the front wheels.
2019 Toyota Corolla SE Hatchback (Original starting price when new: $20,290)
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The 2019 Toyota Corolla SE Hatchback started at $20,290.
The listed price is for the SE Hatchback with the 6-speed manual transmission. Adding the automatic transmission bumps up the price by $1,100.
The SE and XSE hatchback versions source thrust from a 168-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. With the 6MT, the estimated mileage is 28 mpg/37 mpg/31 mpg. When armed with the automatic transmission, the mileage is 32 mpg/42 mpg/36 mpg.
Suppose you opt for the automatic transmission for either the SE or XSE hatchbacks. In that case, you also get adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist, and adaptive headlights.
For the most part, Toyota equips the SE Hatchback like its SE sedan and coupe variants.
Who is this trim for? With the hatchback, Toyota appeals to buyers looking for a sporty package and experience.
2019 Toyota Corolla XSE (Original starting price when new: $25,550)
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To the SE, the XSE adds the SE Premium Package and heated front seats.
Toyota offers a navigation system as an option on the XSE.
Who is this trim for? The XSE provides the driving fun of the SE plus a few extra convenience features. It’s for buyers with a little more room in their budget to get everything they want in the Corolla.
2019 Toyota Corolla XSE includes:
Keyless entry – If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you touch the door handle. Push-button start pairs with keyless entry.
Heated front seats – These help warm your bottom in frigid temperatures.
7-inch touchscreen – A larger screen area makes driver use easier.
2019 Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback (Original starting price when new: $23,240)
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The 2019 Toyota Corolla XSE Hatchback started at $23,240.
The listed price is with the standard 6MT. Upgrading to the automatic transmission adds $1,100 to the bottom line. With the automatic transmission, mileage for the XSE isn’t as good as for the SE. It drops to 30 mpg/38 mpg/33 mpg.
Toyota equips the XSE Hatchback like the XSE sedan.
Who is this trim for? The XSE Hatchback delivers a more engaging driving experience while delivering many popular convenience features. Its size and price point attract buyers whose budget won’t permit stepping up to a midsize car fulfilling the same needs.
