The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offers buyers a safe, fuel-efficient small car with a not-so-small car attitude. Offered in numerous trims, some with a manual transmission option, the Corolla successfully satisfies multiple needs in a single platform.
Long the rival of the Honda Civic, the Corolla presents itself as the less radical alternative, with handsome styling that will likely age well. Toyota loads the Corolla with an impressive array of features and options, although cars like the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte still offer more bang for the buck.
However, you may notice the difference in pricing between the base Corolla L and top-of-the-line Corolla XSE is only about $6,000, meaning moving up one or two trims to get the features you like won’t add much to your monthly payment.
Except for the SE and XSE, all 2022 Toyota Corolla’s use a 139-horsepower 1.8-liter engine. The SE, XSE, Nightshade, and Apex Editions get a 169-hp 2.0-liter engine. Transmission choices vary by trim and are limited to either a 6-speed manual or Continuously Variable gearless automatic transmission.
All Corollas come with standard Toyota Care, a maintenance plan covering regular factory maintenance recommendations for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. 24-hour roadside assistance is also standard for two years and unlimited miles.
2022 Toyota Corolla L (Starting at $20,075)
The most basic Corolla is far from boring, although it is relatively simple. For a car costing $20,000, the Corolla L comes with a healthy dose of standard safety and driver assists system, some of which are extra-cost upgrades on Corolla’s competitors.
Standard on every Corolla is Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0. The package includes automatic high beam headlights, low-speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise control with slow and stop capability, lane departure warning with steering assist, and lane-keeping assist. The system can also recognize various traffic signs and display them in the Corolla’s multi-information display.
Mandated safety systems include anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control, and ten airbags, including front side-impact, rear side-impact, side-curtain, and driver’s knee.
The Corolla L’s exterior isn’t flashy, but it does include LED headlights, LED taillights, and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). Also standard are 15-inch styled steel wheels, power exterior mirrors, and intermittent wipers.
In Corolla’s spacious cabin, you’ll find manual air conditioning with a pollen filter, fabric-trimmed seats, a six-way manually adjusting driver’s seat, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.
Comfort and convenience features include power windows with one-touch auto up/down, power door locks, a rear window defroster, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and a digital clock.
On the technology and entertainment front, the Corolla L includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a six-speaker audio system, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alex, and SiriusXM capability. The system can also host a Wi-Fi hotspot when subscribed to Toyota’s connected services.
A 12-volt outlet and two USB charge ports located in the front console provide power for phones, tablets, or other devices in need of juice.
Instruments go beyond a simple speedometer to include a tachometer, temperature gauge, tire-pressure monitor, and Eco-mode indicator. A configurable 4.2-inch color information display shows outside temperature, average fuel economy, average speed, elapsed trip time, and more.
There are no factory options for the Corolla L.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Toyota Corolla L costs $21,070. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to $379. See the 2022 Toyota Corolla L models for sale
2022 Toyota Corolla L includes:
- Automatic emergency braking – using cameras and radar, this system monitors cars and people in the Corolla’s path and warns of a possible collision. If the driver takes no action, the system can slow or stop the vehicle in certain low-speed situations.
- Full-speed adaptive cruise control – can not only maintain a safe distance between the Corolla and traffic ahead, but it can also slow and even stop the car to avoid a collision.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – allows full integration of an Apple or Android smartphone, giving access to the phone’s apps, music, messages, and map services.
- Auto high-beam headlights – automatically sense oncoming headlights and dim the high beams. Once the coast is clear, the high beams resume.
2022 Toyota Corolla LE ($20,525)
For less than an additional $500, the LE offers a few more perks over the L, including factory options, making it the better choice for budget-minded shoppers.
Adding to the L’s content, the LE brings 16-inch styled steel wheels, variable wipers, automatic climate control, a folding rear center armrest with cup holders, and a remote keyless key fob with lock/unlock, panic button, and trunk release.
Driver and passenger illuminated visor vanity mirrors, a rear USB port, and an 8-inch touchscreen upgrade round out the changes.
Optional on the LE is the LE Convenience Package that adds 16-inch alloy wheels, Toyota’s Smart Key proximity keyless entry and push-button start, heated side mirrors, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The LE Premium Package includes all the features of the Convenience Package plus a power sunroof.
With the $995 destination charge, the 2022 Toyota Corolla LE costs $21,520. Using the same no-money-down loan calculation as with the L, the LE’s monthly payment comes to just $387. See the 2022 Toyota Corolla LE models for sale
2022 Toyota Corolla LE includes:
- Automatic climate control – set the desired temperature, and the system does the rest.
- 8-inch touchscreen display – the larger display makes it easier to see and operate touchscreen controls, and plain looks nicer atop the dash.
- Available blind-spot monitor – detects vehicles driving in or approaching the car’s blind zone and alerts the driver to their presence.
- Available power sunroof – allows more light or fresh air into the cabin. Also valuable for limit buffeting when the rear windows are down.
2022 Toyota Corolla SE ($23,225, 6MT) ($22,525, CVT)
The SE is, in our opinion, the value leader of the Corolla lineup. It offers the choice between manual and automatic transmissions, comes with the more powerful 2.0-liter engine, and opens the door to unique edition models like the Nightshade and Apex.
The SE includes all the safety features of the L and LE, although the manual models lose the full-speed range adaptive cruise control in favor of a less complex system. Considering cars like the Subaru Impreza don’t offer any advanced driver assists with their manual transmission, we think Toyota’s commitment to driver safety for the driving enthusiast is worthy of praise.
Building off the LE’s standard equipment list, the SE adds or substitutes high-grade LED headlights, LED DRL accent lighting, a sport mesh dark grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, and chrome exhaust tips.
Premium cloth sport seats are included but remain manually adjustable.
There is a significant difference in the content between the SE with the 6-speed manual and the CVT automatic. When ordered with the 6-speed, the SE includes heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, a power tilt/slide sunroof, and the Smart Key proximity key.
However, the above items can be added to the automatic SE through option packages, none of which are offered on the manual SE.
Option packages for the SE automatic include the SE Premium Package that adds blind-spot warning, heated side mirrors, rear cross-traffic alert, Smart Key, and a power sunroof.
The SE Premium Package Plus Options includes the contents of the Premium Package plus an upgraded infotainment connectivity package and a nine-speaker JBL audio upgrade.
The SE Nightshade Edition ($23,225) is only available with the CVT automatic and adds additional black-out trim and black wheels for a more sinister look. However, the Nightshade offers no other option packages.
The SE Apex Edition ($25,610 MT, $25,220 AT) is available with both the 6-speed manual and the CVT automatic. It adds a black mesh grille with a black and bronze front lip spoiler and C-shaped accents, black and bronze lower body kit and rear diffuser, and bronze interior stitching.
Unlike the Nightshade, however, the Apex isn’t just about looks. It includes paddle shifters for the CVT, a sport-tuned exhaust, and a sport suspension.
The only options for the Apex Edition are a no-charge choice between summer and all-season tires. Oddly, the manual version of the Apex doesn’t include the SE 6-speed manual’s standard power sunroof but does come with the Smart Key proximity key fob and heated side mirrors. Regrettably, neither version of the Apex offers a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, or the excellent JBL audio system.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Toyota Corolla SE with the automatic transmission costs $23,520. With no money down and a 60-month loan at 3%, the SE’s monthly payment comes to $423. See the 2022 Toyota Corolla SE models for sale
2022 Toyota Corolla SE includes:
- 6-speed manual transmission – offered for those who enjoy the thrill of driving without having to sacrifice features like automatic emergency braking or adaptive cruise control.
- Power sunroof – when closed, lets in more light, and when open more fresh air. The sunroof comes standard on the 6-speed manual and is available with the CVT automatic.
- Heated side mirrors – activate with the rear defroster to help keep snow and ice from clouding the side mirrors.
- Available Apex Edition – upgrades the SE’s suspension and interior for a more sporting feel.
2022 Toyota Corolla XLE ($24,475)
The XLE is a more desirable upgrade to the LE, adding features such as a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated front seats, and SofTex simulated leather upholstery.
The XLE features high-grade LED headlights, heated side mirrors with turn signals, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a power sunroof. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert are standard, as is the Audio Plus 8-inch touchscreen with expanded connectivity options.
The XLE also gets a larger 7-inch color multi-information display and the Smart Key proximity key fob.
Optional packages include the Connectivity Package that adds navigation, a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a wireless charging pad, and several trial periods for various connectivity plans. They include Safety Connect (provides 24/7 emergency service), Service Connect (delivers maintenance reminders), Remote Connect (allows remote starting, vehicle status alerts, and more), and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
A second package includes all the above features, plus adaptive front headlights and ambient interior lighting.
With the $995 destination fee, the cost of a 2020 Toyota Corolla XLE comes to $25,470. If putting no money down, the monthly payment on a 60-month auto loan at 3% financing is $458. That’s just $71 more each month over the lesser-equipped LE. See the 2022 Toyota Corolla XLE models for sale
2022 Toyota Corolla XLE includes:
- Power driver’s seat – allows multiple possibilities to find a more comfortable driving position.
- Heated front seats – quickly heat to keep occupants warm when the temperature outside gets cool.
- SofTex seat fabric – this synthetic upholstery holds up better over time than leather and cleans up easier than cloth.
- Available wireless charging pad – allows for wireless charging of a compatible smartphone.
2022 Toyota Corolla XSE ($25,975)
The XSE represents the Corolla’s attempt at luxury, and for the money, it does a pretty good job. Well below the $30,000 mark, the XSE includes all of the XLE’s features then adds the more powerful 2.0-liter engine.
In addition to the XSE’s standard equipment, the XLE gains 18-inch alloy wheels, unique XSE exterior styling treatments, and an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support.
The XSE’s two Connectivity option packages are identical to the XLE.
The XSE Apex Edition ($28,360) has the same styling and performance upgrades as the SE Apex Edition, only built off the XSE base platform. However, none of the XSE’s optional packages make their way to the Apex, which means no navigation, wireless charging pad, or JBL audio.
With destination, the 2022 Toyota Corolla XSE costs $26,970. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and with no money down, the monthly payment comes to $485. See the 2022 Toyota Corolla XSE models for sale
2022 Toyota Corolla XSE includes:
- 8-way power driver’s seat – with power lumbar support, the XSE’s power driver’s seat allows the perfect position, helping to eliminate fatigue on long drives.
- 2.0-liter engine – provides more muscle for quicker acceleration and passing power, yet is still miserly with fuel.
- 18-inch alloy wheels – looks great and, when wrapped in 18-inch summer tires, delivers improved cornering and handling.
- Toyota Connected Services – With electronic monitoring of the vehicle, available connected services provide greater protection for both owner and vehicle.
