Should you buy one?

If you’re after safe and reliable transport with a clever and efficient engine package, and don’t have a large family to cart around, the Toyota Corolla is definitely worth considering. It’s attractive, well-built, has lots of useful tech, and comes with great service and warranty backup. Toyota has one of the best dealer networks in the business.

Capable of 60mpg in the real world, it offers a genuine – if expensive – alternative to a diesel Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus. It compares well to the Vauxhall Astra, but don’t overlook the Honda Civic, the 2023 Parkers Car of The Year, which has its own clever hybrid system.

What’s certainly beyond doubt is that the 2023 facelift makes an already good car even better, with the updated Corolla improved in every possible respect (there’s not much a mid-life facelift can do about the lack of rear seat space).

What we like

The hybrid drive system sips fuel, reduces emissions and works as a full EV a surprising amount of the time while avoiding the need to ever plug it in. It’s a very convincing solution to modern driving for anyone who isn’t yet ready or able to transition from internal combustion to a full electric vehicle. The Corolla is also comfortable, looks good and offers up to 10 years of warranty cover at no extra charge. It’s hard not to recommend this car.

What we don’t like

The Corolla is not an involving car to drive, so strike it from your list if that’s important to you – and the CVT automatic, while efficient, remains an acquired taste. It’s also cramped in the back, limiting its usefulness to families with older children, and the boot of the 2.0-litre models is unavoidably poor.