Used 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an impressively fuel-efficient compact sedan capable of 52 mpg. Even taking the fuel-efficient part out of the equation, it’s still first-rate.

Although the 2022 Corolla is also available as a hatchback, it makes sense not to offer that body style as a hybrid, since it would overlap with the Prius. But the idea of a fuel-sipping version of one of the world’s best-selling cars with a gasoline/electric drivetrain from Toyota, the metaphorical godfather of hybrids, is so good we wonder why it only hit the United States in 2020.

Yet here it is, packing most of the usual Corolla attributes such as high reliability, low running costs, city-friendly footprint, road-trip-worthy comfort, plus predictable handling. The hybrid battery is covered by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty, and an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty applies to the hybrid drive components.

The regular 2022 Corolla sedan and hatchback variants are both reviewed separately.

For all its positives over 12 generations of runaway sales success, the Corolla has never really forged a reputation as an enthusiast’s choice. Except for that one rear-drive version, but that was back in the 1980s when everything was a bit strange.

Our point being that the 2022 Corolla Hybrid has the easy and safe yet ultimately uninspiring driving experience of the Corolla lineup in general. With slightly less inspiration. Sadly, that’s the downside of excellent fuel economy.

A total of 121 horsepower is even weedier than the basic regular Corolla, which is no-one’s idea of a fast car. If that isn’t irksome enough, the brakes are on the grabby side. This is part of the deal with hybrids. Capturing brake energy contributes to keeping the battery charged. But other manufacturers have made this action smoother. And it’s not like Toyota is a newcomer to hybrid cars.

The kind of person interested in this car is probably not the corner-carving type. And that’s perfectly OK. As long as they enter into this commitment as an informed buyer, then they can take pleasure from their small fuel bills.

Comfortable and spacious for a compact sedan, the 2022 Corolla Hybrid gets this crucial aspect completely right. There’s an overall user-friendliness — from the infotainment system right down to the seat adjusters. Toyota has kept the dashboard nicely uncluttered as well.

The rear seats split and fold in 60/40 fashion, just like the non-hybrid Corolla. And trunk space doesn’t suffer, even though the Corolla Hybrid has to accommodate a battery pack. It’s still 13.1 cubic feet, just like the regular sedan. That’s sufficient for three sets of golf clubs.

Efficiency is the overriding factor. No stealthy black grilles, no sporty exhaust system, no rear spoiler. Instead, the 2022 Corolla comes standard with LED headlights/taillights/daytime running lights, and 15-inch alloy wheels that are lighter than their steel equivalents.

Anyone who really doesn’t like the exterior design has the Honda Insight as an alternative. Some buyers will be drawn to the Corolla Hybrid’s distinct styling and others may not feel strongly one way or the other. But for those people who prefer their hybrids to look more mainstream than deliberately left-field (like the Prius) and favor a trunk over a hatchback, here’s your next ride. Possibly.

FUEL ECONOMY
A big reason for the Corolla Hybrid’s existence. Admittedly, it costs more than an LE version of a regular Corolla and it would take many miles to recoup the difference in fuel savings. But that’s only part of the point. Hybrid buyers also want to keep their emissions low.

CABIN QUALITY
Soft-touch plastics and tasteful deployment of metallic trim accents, with a dash of piano black here and there, all help to give the Corolla Hybrid’s cabin an upscale ambience.

A so-so amount of usual car features — like keyless entry/start, automatic climate control, and cloth upholstery — is made more compelling by a lot of safety equipment.

As well as 10 airbags, the 2022 Corolla Hybrid has forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assistance, and radar-based adaptive cruise control.

The infotainment system is based around an 8-inch touchscreen and comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Amazon Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, two USB ports, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, plus a 6-speaker audio setup.

New this year, a Premium Interior package ($1,525) for the 2022 Corolla Hybrid brings simulated leather upholstery, a steering wheel wrapped in real leather, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.

Blind-spot monitoring is a wise $500 investment. And a premium paint finish ($425) is another of the few ways to make a new Corolla Hybrid a little pricier.

Fear of gas stations is a thing. It’s called aerostatiophobia. We looked it up on the internet, so it must be true.

We wouldn’t be surprised to learn that an engineer or two in the development team for the Toyota Corolla Hybrid suffered from this little-known phobia. Because, at an average of 52 mpg, this car won’t be making many visits to the pump during its life.

That figure is made possible by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, bolstered by two electric motors energized with a lithium-ion battery, for a total output of 121 horsepower. This drives the front wheels through an automatic transmission.

Which is more economical, the Prius or the Corolla Hybrid? Both have the same drivetrain. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the straight-ahead Prius fares better in the city to the tune of one mile per gallon. But both cars achieve the same average and both run on regular gas.

1.8-liter inline-4
Dual permanent magnet synchronous electric motors
Combined output: 121 horsepower
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 53/52 mpg