Home Comparisons Trim Comparisons 2023 Toyota Corolla: Choosing the Right Trim

2023 Toyota Corolla: Choosing the Right Trim

The 2023 Toyota Corolla continues to impress us with its pricing, fuel economy, and commitment to safety. It also retains exceptional resale values and has a history of providing its owners with years of trouble-free service.

For 2023, Toyota has simplified the lineup to just three trim configurations: LE, SE, and XSE. This decision makes sense as competitors such as the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, and Nissan Sentra keep choices simple.

Toyota also makes a Corolla Hybrid and sporty Hatchback (reviewed separately), offering buyers even more options outside the gas-powered sedan.

Corolla LE
Starts at $21,550 | See 2023 Toyota Corolla LE for Sale

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • 8-inch touchscreen
  • 6-speaker audio system
  • Automatic climate control
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Heated power mirrors
  • 60/40 split-folding rear seat
  • Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety suite
  • Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
  • See more

Corolla SE
Starts at $23,990 | See 2023 Toyota Corolla SE for Sale

  • Black grille with sport mesh
  • LED daytime running lights
  • Premium sport seats
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters
  • Metallic interior trim
  • Smart Key
  • Chrome-tipped exhaust
  • Available 9-speaker JBL audio system
  • Available blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert
  • See more

Corolla XSE
Starts at $26,700 | See 2023 Toyota Corolla XSE for Sale

  • SofTex-seat upholstery
  • Power driver’s seat
  • Moonroof
  • Blind-spot monitor
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Chrome-face speedometer and tachometer
  • Heated body-color side mirrors
  • Gray metallic rocker panels, rear spoiler
  • Optional wireless smartphone charger
  • See more

2023 Toyota Corolla LE: $21,550

The least expensive Corolla is the LE. It’s a basic car using the same 169-horsepower 2.0-liter engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the other Corolla trims. However, thanks to its smaller tires, the LE gets one additional mpg in city and highway fuel economy.

So what does $21,550 buy? Well, for starters, a whole lot of high-tech driver assistance features.

The LE comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control.

The LE also features hill-start assist (which keeps the car from rolling back when stopped on an incline), a tire pressure monitoring system, a rearview monitor, and 10 airbags, including front and rear-seat side-impact airbags.

The LE rolls on 16-inch steel wheels with covers and uses energy-efficient LEDs for the headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The LE includes power side mirrors, variable wipers, remote keyless entry, plus color-keyed mirrors and door handles.

The LE’s interior gets fitted with manually adjustable front seats covered in premium fabric. It touts a 60/40-split folding rear seat with a center armrest, single-zone automatic climate control, USB-C charge ports (two front and two rear), and auto up/down power windows at all four doors.

The driver enjoys a height-adjustable seat, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio, Bluetooth, and adaptive cruise controls, and an instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch color TFT display.

An 8-inch touchscreen handles the multimedia systems and includes a 6-speaker AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Toyota Connected Services are included, with up to a 10-year trial period for the Service and Safety Connect programs. These apps include service reminders, lost or stolen vehicle locater, and emergency assistance. Additional Connected Services require a subscription for cloud-based navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote start.

The Corolla comes with Toyota Care which includes complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles and 2-year/unlimited miles Roadside Assistance.

Buyers can upgrade to the LE Convenience Package, which brings the Smart Key proximity key fob with a push-button start, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, heated side mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The LE Premium Package includes the Convenience Package plus a power tilt/slide sunroof.

With the $1,095 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Corolla LE costs $22,645. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment works out to about $427. See 2023 Toyota Corolla LE models for sale near you

2023 Toyota Corolla LE includes:

  • Adaptive cruise control – This advanced cruise control system maintains a safe distance between you and the car ahead at speeds above 20 mph.
  • Automatic high-beam headlights – The system automatically turns on the high beams in low-light conditions. The high beams automatically switch off when encountering another vehicle ahead or oncoming traffic.
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Negates the need for an open USB port or the correct cable.

2023 Toyota Corolla SE: $23,990

Building off the LE, the SE brings a sportier look to the Corolla with a sport mesh gloss-black grille, gray side rocker panels, a color-keyed rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Heated side mirrors come standard, as does the Smart Key proximity keyless entry system.

The SE’s interior gains premium sport seats with sport cloth, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and metallic accents.

The SE Premium Package adds a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and a power sunroof.

SE buyers can also upgrade to a JBL audio system with eight speakers and a powered subwoofer.

Paint options include a two-tone scheme with a black roof.

With the $1,095 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Corolla SE costs $25,045. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to approximately $473. See 2023 Toyota Corolla SE models for sale near you

2023 Toyota Corolla SE includes:

  • 18-inch wheels – These look great and come with low-profile tires that help improve cornering and handling.
  • Heated side mirrors – Heating elements behind the mirrors keep ice and snow build-up from blocking your view.
  • Smart Key – With the proximity key fob in your pocket, you need only touch the door handles or trunk latch to unlock the car. Once inside, a push of a button is all that’s required to start the car.

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE: $26,700

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE profile

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE profile

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE rear right

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE rear right

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE logo

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE logo

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE front cabin

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE front cabin

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE infotainment

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE infotainment

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE shifter

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE shifter

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE front seats

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE front seats

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE rear seats

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE rear seats

The fanciest of the Corolla line is the XSE. It comes standard with much of the LE and SE optional equipment, including Smart Key, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and a power sunroof.

The XSE retains the SE’s sporty 18-inch alloy wheels, then adds a gray metallic rear spoiler, heated front seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, SofTex synthetic leather upholstery, and steering wheel paddle shifters.

The XSE also gets a configurable 7-inch digital gauge cluster.

Options for the XSE include the two-tone paint package, ambient interior lighting, and the JBL audio upgrade that also brings a wireless charging pad.

With the $1,095 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Corolla XSE costs $27,795. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to about $525. See 2023 Toyota Corolla XSE models for sale near you

2023 Toyota Corolla XSE includes:

  • Power moonroof – A great way to get more light and fresh air into the cabin without lowering the windows.
  • Power driver’s seat – This 8-way adjustable seat provides more ways to get comfortable behind the wheel. Includes power lumbar for better lower back support.
  • Available JBL audio system – For those addicted to their phone’s music apps, the JBL system is a must-have.

FAQ

  • What is the best 2023 Toyota Corolla trim?

    The SE trim offers lots of features at an attractive price.

    But if you’re not pinching pennies, we’d go for the XSE. Even when fully loaded, the Corolla XSE remains right around $30,000.

  • How many miles per gallon does the 2023 Toyota Corolla get?

    The 2023 Toyota Corolla LE is rated by the EPA at 32 mpg city/41 mpg highway/35 mpg combined.

    The Corolla SE and XSE models, with larger (18-inch) wheels and tires, are rated at 31 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined.

  • Which 2023 Toyota Corolla offers the most safety?

    In crash tests, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) give the Corolla top marks in every category, with the IIHS awarding it a Top Safety Pick + accolade.

    The safest of the three Corolla trims is the XSE due to its generous standard driver-assist systems.

    However, if you add the optional blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert to the LE or SE models, all Corollas are equally safe.

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