Trims and Powertrain

The ’22 Corolla comes in a choice of eight trim levels (or grades, as Toyota likes to call them): L, LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, SE Apex, XSE, and XSE Apex. The L, LE, and XLE are set up with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine making 139 horsepower, while the others get a 169 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. All Corollas are front-wheel drive. The only grades eligible for the purist’s preferred six-speed manual transmission are the SE and SE Apex Edition; the rest have a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Corolla continues to supply the excellent fuel economy that’s always been a hallmark of the model. The eight trims are all in the same ballpark, but we’ll run through the precise EPA ratings regardless. The L and LE are EPA-rated to achieve 30 miles per gallon in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway; the XLE dips an iota to 29 city/37 highway. The SE with the manual gearbox is rated for 29 city/36 highway. The CVT-equipped SE and the SE Nightshade Edition will supply 31 city/40 highway, while the XSE is rated for 31 city/38 highway. Both Apex Editions get 30 city/38 highway.

Standard Equipment and Options

The base L gets 15-inch wheels, cloth seats, color-keyed exterior mirrors and door handles, and LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights. The LE’s exterior mirrors are heated to melt frost, and it also gets automatic climate control. The XLE sees more upgrades: a moonroof, heated front seats, 16-inch wheels, a power driver’s seat, and faux leather seating.

The S in SE stands for sporty, and this trim does indeed ramp up the attitude with some track-inspired improvements, such as its exterior accents, 18-inch wheels, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, and deep front bucket seats. The SE Nightshade does the same, but with blacked-out detailing, black door handles and heated exterior mirrors, and a different wheel style – although they’re still 18 inches. The SE Apex Edition is eye-catching with its two-tone exterior, bronze/black rocker panels and rear diffuser, and special 18-inch aluminum wheels. It also gets a sport-tuned exhaust and Toyota’s Smart Key System, and buyers can opt for performance summer tires versus all-season tires.

The XLE has 16-inch alloy wheels and ramps up the features list with a standard power-sliding moonroof, blind-spot indicators on the side mirrors, SofTex seats (heated in the front row), a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a deluxe instrument cluster, the Smart Key System, and an upgraded infotainment system (keep reading for details). At the top of the lineup, the XSE is sporty like the SE trio and loaded like the XLE, getting racing-influenced features – like dual exhaust tips and a grey metallic rear spoiler and rocker panels – along with more amenities, such as additional accent lighting for the daytime running lights, and special SofTex seats with sport cloth inserts. The XLE and XSE are both eligible to add adaptive headlights and wireless smartphone charging.

Safety and Technology

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is found on every 2022 Corolla, adding to driver confidence and the safety of everyone in and around the car. The base package contains automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, and lane tracing assist; adaptive radar cruise control is included on all Corollas with the CVT. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on the SE and standard on the XLE and XSE.

The base infotainment system that comes on the L grade has a 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and an audio system with six speakers. At the LE level, the system is upgraded with an 8-inch touchscreen. Buyers of the SE grades, the XLE, and the XSE can opt for a premium JBL sound system with nine speakers; the XLE and XSE are eligible for navigation.