2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review + Video

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular cars in Canada and around the world.

Toyota has sold more than 53 million Corollas globally since its introduction in 1966. While the steadfast and hardworking Corolla might have some haters, it has earned a reputation for being reliable, efficient, and affordable. That’s true of the 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, too, although it loses some of its lustre higher in the lineup.

Power: 8/10

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is powered by a 1.8L four-cylinder and a pair of electric motor-generators for a net system output of 138 hp. The optional all-wheel drive system uses a rear-mounted electric motor to drive the back wheels, while the gas engine and twin motor-generators power the front wheels, giving the Corolla Hybrid extra traction without a significant penalty on fuel economy. The Corolla predominantly drives the front wheels until slippage is detected or when more traction is typically needed when pulling away from a stop. With a good set of winter tires, it’s enough to add a ton of extra confidence in winter weather. 

The hybrid system switches between using gas, battery power, or a combination of both seamlessly and without any input needed from the driver. The Corolla Hybrid can only be driven on battery power alone in low-effort situations like parking, coasting, or reversing. An automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) is used to maximize efficiency, and it feels smooth and strong on launch, but can get very noisy if a burst of acceleration is called for.

Fuel Economy: 9/10

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid XSE AWD tested here is officially rated to burn 5.0 L/100 km in the city, 5.7 on the highway, and 5.3 combined, which is excellent. I was easily able to achieve an indicated average of 5.7 L/100 km over about 600 km of testing without even trying, besides driving in eco mode for the majority of the time. When not on winter tires and with an even lighter right foot, it would be easy to achieve even more efficiency.

The base Corolla Hybrid LE is rated to burn as little as 4.7 L/100 km combined with front-wheel drive, and 4.9 with all-wheel drive. All versions run on regular-grade gas.

Driving Feel: 8/10

No one is buying a Corolla because it’s fun, but you might be surprised by how well it drives. And that’s not because it’s fast — because it isn’t — but the chassis is so well calibrated that you can really feel how Toyota could use it as the basis for a successful hot hatch in the GR Corolla. The ride is dialled in, comfortable, nicely balanced, and smooth, while the steering feel and responsiveness are also pleasant surprises. Budget cars can tend to feel sloppy, but the Corolla bucks that trend. 

Features: 7/10

The Corolla doesn’t really offer any groundbreaking features that set it apart from its competition, but all hybrids offer standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, touchscreen infotainment, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Safety: 9/10

Every Corolla Hybrid comes standard with Toyota’s full suite of safety and driver-assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam control, lane-keeping assistance with active steering, and traffic sign recognition. 

Practicality: 8.5/10

The Corolla Hybrid has a 317-L trunk, which is the same as the non-hybrid model, so there’s no need to sacrifice practicality for efficiency. Otherwise, I wish there was more small-item storage inside and the doors opened wider to make it easier to climb in and out of the back or install child seats.

Comfort: 7/10

The cabin is fairly noisy, and the mandatory safety noise the Corolla Hybrid makes when it’s running on battery power is very annoying. The seats also aren’t particularly comfortable, especially during long drives. Front-seat occupants have plenty of head- and legroom, but the space in the back can feel a bit cramped for tall passengers.

User-Friendliness: 7/10

While the cabin is laid out in a straightforward, logical way that’s easy to get used to with physical climate controls and clearly labelled buttons, the infotainment interface is clunky to use and is missing some key elements that would make it more user-friendly. Those include a home button, a volume knob, shortcuts that are always visible, and a back button. The menus aren’t the most intuitive to navigate through, the graphics look dated, and it takes too many taps to complete some simple tasks, which can be distracting while driving.

Styling: 7/10

You can’t throw a rock in a parking lot without hitting a Corolla because they’re so common. They don’t exactly stand out and aren’t exciting to look at, but the sedan is attractive with fresh LED lighting, good proportions, and unfussy styling.

The cabin is quite basic with lots of hard black plastic and cheap-feeling materials, but the XSE version tested here has some red accents that help give the interior some life. The upgraded 10.5-inch touchscreen looks like an afterthought (an eight-inch unit is standard), and it would be nice to see it integrated more smoothly.

Value: 8/10

The Toyota Corolla has built its reputation on being reliable and affordable, and for the most part the prices are still pretty compelling. The most affordable hybrid model starts at a reasonable $27,090 for front-wheel drive; adding all-wheel drive brings the cost up to $28,590, plus the non-negotiable $1,760 freight fee. 

The top 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid XSE AWD tested here starts at a shade more than $38,000 before tax, which is when the Corolla’s strong value proposition begins to fade. For about that price, you could get a larger, higher-quality vehicle that doesn’t make so many compromises. 

With this top trim, the money you save on gas won’t be as meaningful, and I don’t think it offers enough to justify the nearly $8,000 over the LE AWD’s pre-tax price. This is especially true when you factor in that the top trim comes with larger wheels, which make it less efficient, costing about $124 more in gas a year, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Besides bigger wheels, the top trim adds some great features like heated rear seats, a wireless phone charger, an upgraded stereo, bigger touchscreen, power driver’s seat, and sunroof.

The Verdict 

As long as you’re not going for the top trims, the 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid offers unbeatable value and efficiency. Combined with its rock-solid reputation, proven 60-year track record, and the extra traction that comes without an efficiency penalty, the Corolla Hybrid is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a reliable, practical, and affordable commuter car.