Toyota Corolla vs Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Corolla was familiar, having been on the market since its 2019 hatchback debut. The sedan followed in 2020. Like other recent Toyotas, the Corolla sought to break the automaker's "boring" stereotype with bold exterior styling. Its scowling LED headlights and wide grille aimed to command attention. Despite this effort, its design was not as avant-garde as the Hyundai Elantra’s and lacked the cohesive aesthetic of the newly redesigned Honda Civic.

Different trim levels of the Corolla were distinct in appearance. The SE and XSE models featured an aggressive front fascia, evoking a mouth guard look. The Nightshade Editions boasted blacked-out trim, while Apex Editions had a subtle body kit with bronze accents and unique 18-inch wheels. These wheels shed 2.2 pounds each and came with standard all-season or optional summer tires.

Our Cement-colored SE Apex Edition test car channeled a "Fast and Furious" vibe. We appreciated Toyota’s effort to make the Corolla more than just basic transportation, with more subdued options available for those preferring less ostentatious styling.

The Corolla relied on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which it shared with the larger Camry sedan and RAV4 crossover SUV. The interior was less adventurous than its exterior but had a clean, simple look. The fit and finish matched Toyota’s high standards, although the piano black plastic trim was a magnet for dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition had light gray upholstery that seemed prone to stains, with no interior changes to mirror the sportier exterior. Cloth upholstery was standard, with SofTex leatherette available on higher trims.

Six years after the eighth-generation Camry hit the market in 2018, the 2023 model’s design started to grow on us. The new Reservoir Blue paint and matte-bronze 19-inch wheels of the Nightshade Edition added charm. Available exclusively with SE trim, it could be equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, in hybrid or standard form, and with FWD or AWD (non-hybrid).

The Nightshade Edition featured unique black trim elements, including a TRD mesh grille, spoiler, and badges. The paint options—Reservoir Blue, Ice Cap, and Midnight Black—all looked excellent.

Inside, the SE Nightshade’s interior remained unchanged for over half a decade. Though Toyota claimed impeccable fit and finish, the reality was a bit less impressive. The license plate rattled when shutting the trunk, and the doors sounded unsubstantial. There was also plenty of road noise, and the interior plastics seemed inexpensive, diminishing the overall sense of quality.

The 2022 Corolla sedan offered two engine choices. The L, LE, and XLE models had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models stepped up to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 hp and 151 lb-ft. Apex Editions of the SE and XSE featured a sport exhaust system but shared the same engine.

A CVT was mandatory with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox in the SE and SE Apex Edition. All 2022 Corollas were FWD, with AWD anticipated in 2023.

The manual transmission suited our SE Apex Edition, which aimed for sportiness with its unique suspension system, including lower ride height, solid stabilizer bars, and increased spring rate. It handled nimbly but at the cost of a stiffer ride. Despite lacking full performance upgrades in tires, brakes, or engine, the Apex Edition was engaging in corners but lacked acceleration prowess. It was comfortable yet dull in standard form, unlike the more engaging Volkswagen Jetta.

The 2023 Camry offered three powertrains. The prevalent 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 202 to 206 hp, depending on trim and drivetrain. The optional 3.5-liter V6, delivering 301 hp, was available on higher trims but only with FWD. Non-hybrid models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Our test car had the hybrid setup—a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, electric motor, and lithium-ion battery pack yielding 208 hp. The hybrid system simulated a CVT and featured paddle shifters on sporty trims, with Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport driving modes. Eco mode included Auto Glide Control for better coasting efficiency.

However, we found the Camry Hybrid's fuel economy underwhelming, achieving just 33.4 mpg against an EPA rating of 46 mpg. This was attributed to "normal" driving on a mountainous route, without hypermiling or extensive use of EV or Eco modes. The estimated gas savings seemed far-fetched unless driven very conservatively.

Despite this, the electric motor's torque aided quick starts, and the drivetrain was well-isolated. Regenerative braking felt smooth. The Hybrid SE Nightshade had sporty suspension tuning, offering compliant yet slightly soft ride quality, good cornering, and grip. However, the stability control felt overly cautious. Though not as engaging as a Honda Accord, the Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade was still fairly fun to drive.

Toyota did not provide headroom and legroom specs for the 2022 Corolla, but it felt reasonably spacious. The low beltline improved visibility, although the design still hampered forward visibility due to its deep dashboard. The driver's seat was lowered and moved back for optimal position, but could still feel cramped for taller drivers. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helped find a comfortable position, but the seat cushions were too soft.

The Corolla sedan’s 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space lagged behind competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. However, it had a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat and optional power trunk release on some trims. Interior storage was limited, with a thin center console and small, oddly shaped phone tray.

The 2023 Camry excelled in simplicity and functionality, crafted from durable materials with an intuitive layout. Most versions featured dual-zone automatic climate control, with optional heated/ventilated seats and heated steering wheel. Our test car had eight-way power adjustment for the driver and manual height adjustment for the front passenger, which provided decent comfort during long drives. The front seats were low but adjustable, simplifying entry and exit.

The Camry used SofTex artificial leather, which didn’t feel very luxurious. Rear seating was comfortable but cramped compared to the Honda Accord, and the lack of rear air vents was a drawback.

The Camry offered better storage, but most compartments were unlined, causing potential rattling. Its trunk held 15.1 cubic feet, less than the Accord but could accommodate full-size suitcases. However, closing the trunk from the outside might dirty your hands due to the lack of a handle.

The 2022 Corolla struggled to keep up with infotainment advancements. It came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base L trim, while higher trims got an 8-inch version. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM were standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. A nine-speaker JBL system was optional on some trims.

The user interface was straightforward, with helpful home buttons, though certain tasks were cumbersome. The graphics seemed outdated, especially compared to Hyundai and Kia. It also lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and novel features like Hyundai’s Digital Key.

In contrast, the 2023 Camry offered 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreens with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The larger screen included connected navigation and a nine-speaker JBL system. SiriusXM and several connected service plans were standard.

Our test car had the basic 7-inch screen with practical physical controls. Voice commands for music were hit-or-miss, but direct requests worked well. Additional tech included an optional 7-inch driver information center and a 10-inch head-up display, though our test car lacked these.

The 2022 Corolla excelled in safety, earning the IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” award and top scores in crash tests, though headlights had mixed ratings. The NHTSA granted it five-star overall safety, with high marks in frontal and side crashes, and a slightly lower score in rollovers.

Standard safety features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional.

The 2023 Camry Hybrid's standard safety features included 10 airbags, rear-seat reminder, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This system offered forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and Intersection Support. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional.

However, TSS 2.5 lacked refinement, with adaptive cruise control braking too sharply and lane-keeping systems struggling with lane changes. This made the system feel intrusive, diminishing the driving experience.

The Camry maintained high safety ratings, earning five-star marks from the NHTSA, including rollover resistance. It also held an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, although its side-impact test rating might affect future evaluations.