The 2021 Toyota Corolla Apex is Not The Turbocharged Sport Compact We Wanted

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For decades, the #ToyotaCorolla has satisfied a lot of consumers looking for an affordable and reliable commuter cars. While that has always been a strength of the Corolla, when Toyota gave it a full redesign last year, they wanted to add some fun to the lineup which had been absent for the last two decades. The 2021 #CorollaApex is designed to be that first step, with a retuned suspension, sport exhaust system, and unique style cues, it certainly looks like a more enthusiast Corolla versus even the SE and XSE trims. However, with no engine upgrades, those of you hoping for a Civic Si or VW GTI fighter, will be disappointed in the lack of performance.

[berryduke]

Once you said the engine was the same I lost interest.

[jxmar_]

They need to stop making it “sporty” and actually put something powerful under the hood!! Btw loved how organized this review was

[BeanieNinjay]

Toyota outsourced work on the new Supra because they were too busy engineering copper accents and putting “sport” springs on this blazing hot

[KiDD]

So in the nutshell it's basically an appearance package.

[autonewstv]

My girlfriend makes fun of me because I watch all these car reviews, but when we get a new car and I'm able to tell her how many Twinkies we can tote, she'll be thanking me!!!

[lkae]

Apex? False advertising, Toyota. False

[DaddyDan]

I was mad about Toyota doing so little to the Camry/Avalon TRD (no reprograming of engine and trans to not be such killjoys) but then I met the Corolla Apex and my feeling of being underwhelmed rose to new heights.

Glad they loaned you the manual, I would have skipped it if you had gotten the CVT model.

[aluisious]

I don't want a turbo engine. I want an 8k RPM screamer that doesn't have a torque dip in the midrange.

[theyoutubeofmyname]

169 hp and 3, 000lbs...call it the Slowrolla

[vannag]

If he honestly thought this was gonna be the compact little brother of the Supra then you played yourself lmao. We live in the era of “sport packages” and “appearance packages” unfortunately. Not saying it’s okay but cmon now. Sports car in this day and age isn’t Toyota’s bread and butter.

[LouAntonioGiordano]

I miss the days when you could get a Corolla with a Yamaha engine. The XRS was nowhere as sporty looking as this one but damn did they have great powertrains.

[BryanW]

I feel like if they had the room, they should've put the 2.5 from the camry in it. Then it would be MUCH more competitive!

[carloschaqui]

This model with over 200hp would’ve been key. I’m sure it would’ve giving civic SI a good competition in sales.

[leverfnosac]

Just seeing a manual transmission in 2020 brought a tear to my eye.

[IdrisFashan]

This feels like a packaged test model FOR Toyota drivers who want enthusiast looks but the reliability of n/a in a rare package worth paying a little extra for.

[naturenerd]

Yeah, I noticed one of these when I took my wife's RAV4 in today for maintenance. Seemed pretty cool, so I am happy to see your video.

[davisouedraogo]

They should have just went ahead and made a TRD trim with a turbo engine.

[tomcat]

I might be getting old, but I like the fact this Corolla doesn't have a turbo. But, it is too expensive by $2K.

[dannyfisher]

I have always respected the Corolla's value, and reliability but never liked the way it looks...until now. This is a very aggressive looking car...especially considering that it comes this way from the Dealer. The only thing is that it looks quite a bit like a WRX. That's not a bad thing, but...

HP is very underwhelming...especially with the way it looks. Dissapointing.

[edgarponce]

Toyota needs to drop a GRMN Version of these with at least 1000 manuals & no more than a $29, 900 price tag