“This is an incredibly well built car. I have no issues with it. The trunk space is smaller than I was expecting.”
2021 Toyota Corolla: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 Toyota Corolla is the arrival of the SE Apex and XSE Apex sport sedans. This is an update year rather than a redesign, with added airbags, broader phone connectivity, and smaller safety and hatchback changes across the family.
About the 2021 Toyota Corolla
12th generation Corolla. The sedan and Corolla Hybrid are in their second model year of this generation, while the Corolla Hatchback is in its third year. 2021 is an early-cycle update year with new Apex sedan variants and a hatchback Special Edition.
Toyota positions the Corolla as a dependable compact car that blends easy ownership, good fuel economy, and standard safety tech with sharper styling than older Corollas. The lineup stretches from a simple commuter sedan to a high-mpg hybrid and sportier 2.0-liter sedan and hatchback versions, so the core appeal is broad usefulness rather than one narrow mission. Against rivals, Corolla leans on durability, safety value, and a wide spread of personalities without getting complicated.
The 2021 lineup ranges from the straightforward L and mainstream LE to the sportier SE and well-equipped XSE, while the XLE emphasizes comfort with heated seats and a moonroof. The new Apex sedans stand out with lowered, firmer suspension tuning, a sport exhaust, and black-and-bronze bodywork. Most trims have a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while XLE and XSE models include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The new Apex sedans use the existing 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine but add a sport-tuned exhaust. The core engine lineup otherwise carries over.
Styling
SE Apex and XSE Apex sedans add black-and-bronze sport bodywork. The hatchback also gets a limited Special Edition and new exterior colors.
Safety
Sedan, hybrid, and hatchback models gain rear side airbags, increasing the total to 10. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert becomes standard on XLE and XSE.
Tech
Sedan and hybrid trims gain Android Auto, and SiriusXM expands across the Corolla family. On the XLE, navigation and premium audio move from standard to optional equipment.
Structural
The Apex sedans receive a lowered, firmer suspension with trim-specific springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars. The underlying platform is unchanged.
2021 Toyota Corolla specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter / 4-Cyl, Dynamic-Force, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter / 4-Cyl, Dynamic-Force, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter / 4-Cyl, Dynamic-Force, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT / Automatic, ECVT | Automatic, CVT w/Dynamic Shift | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT w/Dynamic Shift | Automatic, CVT w/Dynamic Shift | Automatic, CVT w/Dynamic Shift | Automatic, CVT w/Dynamic Shift |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas / Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 30 mpg | 30–53 mpg | 28–29 mpg | 29 mpg | 28–31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 31–32 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 38 mpg | 38–52 mpg | 36–37 mpg | 37 mpg | 37–38 mpg | 38 mpg | 38 mpg | 40–41 mpg |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 139 hp | 168–169 hp | 139 hp | 168–169 hp | 169 hp | 169 hp | 168–169 hp |
| Torque | 126 lb-ft | 105–126 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 126 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | 1500 lb | |||||
| Trunk/Cargo | 13.1 cu-ft | 13.1 cu-ft | 13.1–17.8 cu-ft | 13.1 cu-ft | 13.1–17.8 cu-ft | 13.1 cu-ft | 13.1 cu-ft | 13.1–17.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 34.8 in | 34.8 in | 29.9–34.8 in | 34.8 in | 29.9–34.8 in | 34.8 in | 34.8 in | 29.9–34.8 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | ||||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||||
| Power Driver's Lumbar Support Seat | ||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2021 Toyota Corolla redesigned?
No. The 2021 Toyota Corolla remains part of the 12th generation and receives an early-cycle update rather than a full redesign. Its main changes are the new Apex sedans, more airbags, broader phone connectivity, and several trim-level updates.
What is the 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition?
The 2021 Corolla Apex Edition is a sport-focused sedan offered as the SE Apex and XSE Apex. Both use the 2.0-liter engine and add lowered, firmer suspension tuning, a sport exhaust, and distinctive black-and-bronze bodywork; the XSE Apex adds richer cabin equipment.
Did the 2021 Toyota Corolla get Android Auto?
Yes. Android Auto is added to 2021 Corolla sedan and hybrid trims, joining Apple CarPlay on their touchscreen systems. The hatchback already had Android Auto in the trim information for this year.
Did the 2021 Toyota Corolla get more airbags?
Yes. Two rear side airbags are added to the 2021 Corolla sedan, hybrid, and hatchback, bringing the total to 10 airbags. XLE and XSE trims also make blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert standard.
What changed on the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback?
The 2021 Corolla Hatchback gains two rear side airbags, a limited Special Edition, new exterior colors, and an optional lower cargo floor. The Special Edition uses an eye-catching red exterior treatment and limited-run styling details.
2021 Toyota Corolla Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Toyota Corolla.
4.1
2021 Toyota Corolla
(483 reviews)
“I have had an excellent experience owning my Corolla Hatchback. Although the interior seemed a little small at first, I quickly adjusted, and I now don't notice it. The Corolla model's reliability and the hatchback's extra storage space make up for any lack of roominess I experienced as a driver; I would buy another if needed!”
“It is a very nice vehicle if you need something easy to enter and exit. Access to cargo is easy.”
Sources
- engage.toyota.com — Static / Ebrochures / 2021 corolla eBrochure
- pressroom.toyota.com — 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition Aims For The Curves In Bold Style
- pressroom.toyota.com — 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition Makes Red The New Color Of Envy
- pressroom.toyota.com — Whats New For 2022
- pressroom.toyota.com — Vehicle / 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid