The editors put the 2020 Corolla through the paces to see if it has outgrown its economical roots.
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00:00 The 2020 Toyota Corolla XSE. Is this the year the Corolla finally sheds its skin to become more than just the baseline bargain option?
00:09 The quick answer? Yes. And no.
00:12 With strong exterior styling and clever technology features, the 2020 Corolla has definitely outgrown its cheap economy roots.
00:29 But in terms of driving, it goes straight down the middle of the road.
00:32 On the track, the 2.0-liter i4 engine performed about as expected. Not overworked, but not a speedster by any means either.
00:40 In our acceleration test, the Corolla reached 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, while the quarter-mile took 16.3 seconds.
00:49 But then again, speed was never going to be this vehicle's strong suit.
00:54 In terms of braking, the Corolla's soft pedal and moderate dive contributed to a stopping distance of 119 feet, despite considerable noise and vibration.
01:02 Driving dynamics have their pros and cons as well.
01:06 The Corolla rolls quite a bit in corners, but seems more planted and stable than comparable vehicles.
01:12 Credit that to the new Corolla's independent suspension.
01:15 This was evident during the figure-8 run, which the vehicle completed in 27.8 seconds.
01:23 So, if you're looking for something quick and fun, this is not the car for you.
01:28 But, if you seek reliability, efficiency, and good bang for the buck, the 2020 Toyota Corolla is a solid solution.
01:35 Get the full story at MotorTrend.com
01:43 (upbeat music)