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2021 Toyota Corolla

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Compact Cars
Body styles: 4dr Sedan Hybrid, 4dr Sedan L/Le, 4dr Sedan Se/Xle/Xse, 5dr Hatch
Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
Horsepower: 96–169 hp
Transmission: CVT
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 52 combined · 53 city / 52 hwy
Length: 172.4–182.7 in
Curb weight: 2,899–3,075 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 52 MPG combined — 89% better than the average 2021 compact car (27.5 MPG).
Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

Many owner complaints188 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 20 for similar models — most often about the air bags.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.8L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 183 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,042 lb (4dr Sedan Hybrid).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 52 MPG combined (53 city / 52 highway), 89% better than the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG, for an estimated $1,300 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Corolla — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Corolla →

Trims, performance & features

Engine169 hp2.0L 4-cyl

Engine139 hp1.8L 4-cyl

Engine96 hp1.8L 4-cyl hybrid

TransmissionCVT

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SE, CVTLE

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Blue Springs, Mississippi · Toyota City, Aichi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Corolla configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr Sedan Hybrid	182.7 in	69.3 in	55.9 in	106.3 in	59.8 / 59.8 in	3,042 lb	61/39
4dr Sedan L/Le	182.7 in	69.3 in	55.9 in	106.3 in	59.8 / 59.8 in	2,899 lb	61/39
4dr Sedan Se/Xle/Xse	182.7 in	69.3 in	55.9 in	106.3 in	59.8 / 59.8 in	3,075 lb	61/39
5dr Hatch	172.4 in	70.5 in	56.7 in	103.9 in	63 / 63 in	3,060 lb	61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Corolla Hybrid Hybrid	1.8L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	53 / 52 / 52	+89%	$1,300	170
Corolla Hatchback	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AM-S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	32 / 41 / 35	+27%	$1,900	251
Corolla	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	31 / 40 / 34	+24%	$1,950	257
Corolla XSE	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	31 / 38 / 34	+24%	$1,950	265
Corolla APEX	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	31 / 38 / 34	+24%	$1,950	264
Corolla	1.8L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	30 / 38 / 33	+20%	$2,050	267
Corolla	1.8L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	29 / 39 / 33	+20%	$2,050	271
Corolla Hatchback XSE	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (AM-S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	30 / 38 / 33	+20%	$2,050	266
Corolla XLE	1.8L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	29 / 37 / 32	+16%	$2,100	274
Corolla	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	29 / 36 / 32	+16%	$2,100	277
Corolla Hatchback	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	28 / 37 / 31	+13%	$2,150	284
Corolla APEX	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	28 / 36 / 31	+13%	$2,150	286

9/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

9/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $5,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.5 MPG2021 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Toyota COROLLA 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	10.5%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Toyota COROLLA 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Toyota COROLLA 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 compact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Toyota Corolla (this car)	52 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Honda Civic	36 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Honda Accord	48 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Toyota Camry	52 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Nissan GT-R	18 MPG	Not rated	1
2021 Toyota Prius	56 MPG	★★★★★	0
2021 Mazda 3	31 MPG	Not rated	0

Recalls (1)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Dec 20, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Toyota Corolla is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

188Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

18Involved a crash

2Involved a fire

13Injuries reported

39,200 miTypical mileage at failure

Air Bags53

Engine41

Unknown Or Other33

Electrical System22

Power Train17

Visibility/Wiper15

Exterior Lighting7

Seat Belts7

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Toyota Corolla buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Air Bags — 53 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
Engine — 41 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 39,200 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Corolla years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Corolla	50	–	Not rated	0	0
2026 Corolla	50	182.7 in	Not rated	1	18
2025 Corolla	50	182.7 in	★★★★★	1	33
2024 Corolla	50	182.7 in	★★★★★	3	68
2023 Corolla	50	182.7 in	★★★★★	4	74
2022 Corolla	52	182.7 in	★★★★★	0	105
2020 Corolla	52	182.7 in	★★★★★	6	314
2019 Corolla	36	182.7 in	★★★★★	6	205
2018 Corolla	34	182.7 in	★★★★★	3	143
2017 Corolla	34	182.7 in	★★★★★	3	190
2016 Corolla	34	182.7 in	Not rated	1	215
2015 Corolla	34	182.7 in	Not rated	1	220

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →