{"id":53419,"date":"2021-12-10T14:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T22:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/life\/car-review-2021-toyota-corolla-xse-2\/"},"modified":"2021-12-10T14:45:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T22:45:00","slug":"car-review-2021-toyota-corolla-xse-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/life\/car-review-2021-toyota-corolla-xse-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Car review: 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Larry Lark, contributor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hatchbacks are all about versatility and fun.<\/p>\n

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE delivers on both counts.<\/p>\n

Versatility comes with an enhanced space option that lowers the cargo floor, adding 6 cu. ft. of total capacity (to 23 cu. ft.) behind the rear seats. This option replaces the spare tire with a tire repair kit.<\/p>\n

Like all Corolla Hatchbacks, XSE combines the athleticism of a robust platform, responsive multi-link rear suspension, and the 168-horsepower, 2.0-liter dynamic force engine. Combining high-revving energy with high efficiency, the 2.0-liter derives its gutsy personality and fuel-sipping behavior from a combination of a high compression ratio (13:1); combining direct injection and secondary port injectors; high-speed combustion; VVT-iE intelligent variable valve-timing on the intake side, and VVT-i on the exhaust.<\/p>\n

The result is peppy, responsive acceleration, smooth shifts, and 38 miles per gallon fuel economy down the highway as estimated by the EPA. Paddle shifters and a sport drive mode are at the ready if a little more fun is required.<\/p>\n

My XSE tester came equipped with a “Galactic Aqua” coat of enamel and aggressive styling, anchored by a curvy, muscular physique accented by chiseled character lines and simple, condensed three-dimensional highlights. Eighteen-inch machined alloy wheels complete the look.<\/p>\n

Standard multimedia includes an eight-inch touchscreen; six speakers; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility; Safety Connect trial; Wi-Fi Connect; Siri Eyes Free; Auxiliary audio jack and USB 2.0 port with iPod connectivity and control; and AM\/FM; MP3\/WMA playback capability.<\/p>\n

The top-of-the-line XSE, with the preferred package option ($1,600) adds premium audio that delivers a sonic knockout punch. A JBL eight-speaker, 800-watt system includes Clari-FiTM which analyzes and restores audio signals that were degraded by digital compression, making old Christmas standards sound better than new.<\/p>\n

Other creature comforts include dual-zone climate control, leather trimmed and heated front seats, power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, and LED headlamps.<\/p>\n

As on the 2020 versions, all 2021 Corolla Hatchback models come standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver-assist technologies:<\/p>\n

Pre-Collision System with Daytime\/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, plus Daytime Bicyclist Detection<\/p>\n

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (CVT only)<\/p>\n

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist<\/p>\n

Automatic High Beams<\/p>\n

Lane Tracing Assist (CVT only)<\/p>\n

Road Sign Assist<\/p>\n

That’s a lot of safety technology included in a compact, starter model. With the current price of gas, and electric infrastructure still years away, the Corolla XSE is a strong commuter alternative from a proven automaker.<\/p>\n

Toyota’s 36-month\/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation.<\/p>\n

Price As Driven: $25,885<\/p>\n

Price As Driven: $28,154<\/p>\n

Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Larry Lark, contributor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":53420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53419"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53419"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=53419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}