2020 vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2020

  • Fuel pump, 2019–2020

    What to check: Ask whether recalls 20V012000 and 20V682000 were done.

    Toyota recalled some 2019 and 2020 Corollas and 2019 Hatchbacks because the low-pressure fuel pump in the tank could fail and the engine stall while driving.

    NHTSA

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Rare catches

2020

Nothing that 2021 lacks.

2021

  • Rare SE Special Edition hatchback, Supersonic Red Package

    Limited to 1,500 An owners' registry (unofficial)

    1,500 built An owners' registry (unofficial)

  • Rare Apex Edition Package

    Toyota said it would build 6,000, only 120 of them manuals A published reference

    6,000 built for the US A published reference

Recalls

2020

  • 19V544000 2020

    The brake booster pump may fail, switching off stability control and brake assist. NHTSA

  • 19V877000 2020

    The rear seat belts with a dual locking mode may not lock as they should, so in a crash with several impacts they may not hold the occupant. NHTSA

  • 20V205000 2020

    A wiring connector in the rear hatch may have been damaged in assembly, and the reversing lights can fail. NHTSA

  • 20V682000 2019–2020

    The low-pressure fuel pump in the tank may fail, and the engine can stall while driving. NHTSA

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

  • 23V865000 2020–2021

    A short circuit may develop in the passenger seat occupant sensor, stopping the passenger front airbag from deploying. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2020, up to and including 2021.

  1. 2021The Apex Edition arrives. Android Auto becomes standard, and the sedan adds rear side airbags and engine stop-start. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2020

Nothing that 2021 lacks.

2021

Packages
Apex Edition (2021–2022) Edmunds, a published reference, an owners' registry (unofficial), SE Special Edition hatchback, Supersonic Red (2021) An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

Engines
1.8L four-cylinder (2020–2022) Toyota, a published reference, 2.0L four-cylinder, Dynamic Force Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference, 1.8L hybrid (2020–2026) Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
CVT Toyota, a published reference, eCVT (2020–2026) A published reference, 6-speed manual (iMT) Toyota, a published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan (2020–2026) A published reference, Hatchback Edmunds, a published reference
Trims
L (2020–2022) Edmunds, a published reference, LE Edmunds, SE Edmunds, XLE Edmunds, XSE Edmunds

Colors

2020

  • Oxide Bronze 6X1, 2019–2020 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Smoked Paprika Metallic 3U4, 2019–2020 An owners' registry (unofficial)

2021

  • Wind Chill Pearl 089, 2021–2026 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Magnetic Gray Metallic 1G3, 2021–2026 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Supersonic Red 3U5, 2021 An owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 2019–2026 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blizzard Pearl 070, 2019–2021 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Classic Silver Metallic 1F7, 2019–2026 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Celestite Gray Metallic 1K3, 2020–2026 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black Sand Pearl 209, 2020–2022 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Midnight Black Metallic 218, 2019–2026 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Barcelona Red Metallic 3R3, 2020–2021 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Flame 8W9, 2019–2022 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Crush Metallic 8W7, 2020–2026 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blueprint 8X8, 2020–2026 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Galactic Aqua Mica 221, 2019–2022 An owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2020

  • Sought after: Rated by its owners 2020 One source so far

    On Edmunds, an unofficial source, the 2020's 95 owners' reviews average 3.6 of 5. Owners' reports (unofficial)

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: Ranked second of twelve All years One source so far

    SlashGear ranks the 12th gen second of twelve, for the TNGA platform's better handling, the hatchback's manual with the 2.0L, the Hybrid and the GR Corolla. SlashGear

  • Sought after: 2019–2021 One source so far

    SlashGear picks 2018 to 2021 among the best used Corolla years, with IIHS Top Safety Picks in three of the four, few severe problems and among the fewest complaints. SlashGear