Introduced in 1966, the Toyota Corolla became the best-selling car worldwide by 1974 and has been one of the top-selling cars since then. By 1997, it had become the global best-selling nameplate; today, over 50 million Corollas have been sold worldwide.

The Toyota Corolla represents the brand on a global scale. This sedan is known for its dependability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. I recently had the opportunity to drive the Hybrid version, which features the powerful fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System. I was impressed, achieving fuel efficiency of 56-57 miles per gallon.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid has five trims: LE, LE AWD, SE, SE AWD, and XLE. Its starting price is $23,500, making it one of the most affordable hybrid cars today. Even the XLE trim, which comes with a premium interior, a larger touchscreen, and upgraded rims and tires, is priced under $30,000.

The Corolla Hybrid also includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as a standard feature, offering leading safety technologies like Lane Departure Assist with Steering Assist and Proactive Driving Assist, which features Obstacle Anticipation Assist and Deceleration Assist. I believe this is one of the best driver assistance systems available today.

Under the hood, the Corolla Hybrid is powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle aluminum DOHC 16-valve engine. This engine utilizes Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (CVTi) to produce 138 net combined horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, which I found more than adequate for everyday driving in Los Angeles.

The new Corolla also offers attractive color options, including Blueprint, Wind Chill Pearl, Ice Cap, Ruby Flare Pearl, Underground, Classic Silver Metallic, Celestite, and Midnight Black Metallic.

The 2025 Corolla Hybrid comes standard with an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system. This system supports dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™ compatibility. It includes a 30-day/3 GB Wi-Fi Connect trial*, providing 4G connectivity for up to five devices and turning the car into an AT&T Hotspot. Additionally, customers can link their separate Apple Music® and Amazon Music subscriptions to the vehicle through the Integrated Streaming service (30-day trial included). This enhances the robust audio playback features, including HD Radio, USB data, and SiriusXM®.

Toyota has long been a leader in hybrid powertrains, and the Corolla Hybrid impressively delivers over 50 miles per gallon with ease. Renowned worldwide, this car is worth considering for anyone looking for a reliable everyday commuter in Los Angeles.