Corolla hatch makes for OK commuter - Lifestyle - The Times - The Times

The overall look of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE is impressive, but power and torque just aren’t there in 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower. In the current trim it’s not bad, but it’s not as good as it looks.

Toyota Corolla has been a steady contender in the compact segment.

With the hatchback option now available, more folks are taking a second look at the old vet. This option makes the Corolla into a Swiss Army knife for the consumer, especially in urban environments. This week we’ll look at the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE.

Under the hood is a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower through a 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. I know you think 168 horsepower doesn’t sound like a lot, and you would be right. It’s a very underwhelming driving experience with such potential for more.

The transmission is incredibly easy to function and there’s even an Intelligent manual transmission drive mode (iMT) that allows the computer to monitor my inputs on the clutch to help keep the RPMs in optimal range for smooth shifts. You barley need to press the clutch after you have learned the computer. It’s a neat feature, even if you have no power to have fun with. It’s a smooth four but the initial lack of torque makes for a very cumbersome climb to highway speeds.

The exterior of the Corolla hatch is familiar proportions to others. I love the front grill and headlamp assemblies. They are sharp-edged and sculpt the front end so well — LED all around including mirrors. The wheels are at the corners as well for an athletic stance that’s also functional for tight handling. Around back the upright hatch and LED tails are really cool looking. The vertical reflectors on the rear bumper add to the aggressive look. I don’t think there are actually dual exhaust tips but the trim is made to fool you.

Inside the Corolla is really well-appointed and easy to use. I never really have issues with Toyota interior design and this one is no different. Up front is a large touchscreen that controls mostly everything. Below that are some dedicated HVAC buttons. Then there’s a gap to the shifter and e-brake button. The driver’s instrument panel is decent looking with rotary gauges and all the other info within the centered LCD screen. Seating up front is comfortable with plenty of room. The rear seats are tight but aren’t uncomfortable.

On road is where I was disappointed and couldn’t really find a way to make it more appealing. There really wasn’t any power from the 2.0L engine. It made some noise but overall, there was nothing there when you want to really get moving. You have to adjust your driving habits a bit to execute this car because of the sluggish start and no torque. I did however, love the iMT transmission that helps smooth out your shifts. It works well and you can get the hang of it quickly. I enjoyed that most when in town, when you clutch a lot. I really wish there was a turbo and AWD in the future for this hatch — just underwhelmed with the power overall.

I enjoy the look of the Hatch overall and wish it was more aggressive or at least could spec it to be faster. In the current trim it’s not bad, but it’s not as good as it looks. I would suggest taking it for a spin yourself to see if it’s something you would consider. Toyota claims 31 mpg average and I was able to maintain that number pretty consistently during my road test. MSRP for the Hatch XSE is $24,325.

Will Chamberlain is a local freelance automotive journalist and full-time Realtor with eXp Realty in Beaver. He can be reached at wchamberlain@pghcarguys.com.