I have a 2020 SE sedan, 6-sp. manual. Bought it used last March so I can say anything (yet) about reliability but so far so good. I can't say it if will have a quieter or more comfortable ride than a hatch. I can say that it has a noisier, and harsher, ride than my 2018 Golf Sportwagen. So I don't consider it particularly quiet especially with regards to road noise. But I'd be surprised if the hatch is significantly worse than the sedan.

I will pick a manual over a CVT in a heartbeat. Manuals have stood the test of time. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to service, and if you don't beat up on it, better longevity. The clutch will wear out over time but it's relatively easy to replace and by not abusing it, that can take a very long time. Plus they're just way more engaging to drive. FWIW I'm getting much better fuel consumption than the official Canadian government rating, in mostly rural and autoroute driving. I've been averaging about 42 mpg per tank but I do keep to the speed limits (max 100 km/h) except when overtaking.

I'm pretty sure that the hatch and sedan will be equally reliable.

Personally, between the hatch or the sedan, go with whichever you prefer/better meets your needs. Or is available. I was ready to buy either if I could find the right car at the right price. That ended up being a sedan. If you get a 2023 it will have to be CVT, no more manuals in 2023. And good luck finding a 2022.

 

Sedan has a larger trunk, hatchback is more practical. Overall I prefer hatchback vehicles because you can fit almost anything inside, but I got the corolla sedan because the hatch trunk is ridiculous.

 

I didn't buy my corolla for the utmost in performance. It has enough to power for a bit of a smile, which is enough for me. It is extremely efficient for a gas car, easy to drive, has good cargo room except for the lack of compartments and a tiny center console, and the reliability I expect to be very good because it's a toyota.
I went with the CVT SE Sedan. It has a physical first gear, which i thought was good, the more modern engine, and has more rear passenger space and the trunk is larger than the hatch area due to the back end of the sedan sticking out more beyond the rear tires than the hatch.

 

I know the Corolla SE Sedan cost more than the Corolla SE

In Canada hatchback costs more.

 

Probably different packages then we get here.

 

Sedan has longer wheelbase so in theory better ride via less choppy movement. But also has 18" wheels with less sidewall so that will negate that. Reliability should be equal between the two but who knows, its a relatively new car. Buy the one you like best after a test drive

 

Hatch Rolla for sure. i've gone hatch with imprezza and will never go back.

 

I have an 03 Matrix and a 22 hatchback. Feels like I am driving a luxury car when I drive the Hatchback. It depends on what your standards are. Not to offend anyone the rear end of the sedan screams econobox to me. The hatch seems sportier to me but the lack of storage space is surprising.

 

lack of storage space

And lack of rear leg room.

 

Can't you switch down to a smaller tire/wheel combo from a Corolla for example on an SE go with the 16 inch tires/wheels instead of the 18 inch tires/wheels to tone down the ride to have more rubber between wheel and road?

The base model in Canada comes with 15, which is what I have and we find the ride very quiet and comfortable for a vehicle in this segment.

 

We are in USA so it's differrent here on USA Corollas. On SE Corolla it may come with 18 at extra cost. Not sure if dealership can do a switchout for 16 instead as I am not a fan of low profile tires/wheels because of road hazards, curb rash, short tire life and cost of repair/replacement when damaged or stolen. Don't need that kind of attention.

 

and I didn't see any value in what you said because you didn't give any reason. I don't really mean IMO, I only put it to try and keep trolls away and in case I make a mistake.

 

So my mistake, I just didn't get what you meant even though it seems obvious now.

 

OK I got you. I tested hatchback and sedan without lumbar support. I think that is the reason why I didn't notice the difference in driving position.

 

We have an SE sedan and one of the things I like about it compared to my Golf Sportwagen is that I find the seats much more comfortable than the Golf. It's all relative I guess! Otherwise I find the Golf much more engaging to drive. However the Corolla does just fine at what we ask of it, being a reliable second car. It'll probably outlast the Golf!

 

Is your Sedan made in Japan?

You're so right. It is all relative and even if the facts say otherwise and doesn't mean that's your reality!

 

No, mine's made in the US.

 

I don't want 16" wheels I prefer the 18" wheels that come on the Hatchback XSE has better driving dynamics. Also I have a bad back and believe it or not the stiffer ride is easier on my back. Going over speed bumps on my last car a 07 corolla LE sucked its like night and day with the '21 Hatchback.

 

I do find the ride in the HB to be very smooth for an entry level car with a short wheelbase.

 

To chime in and match what others have said, I drove both. I decided on the XSE hatch.

• I thought the XSE was more enjoyable to drive. Handled better, felt more nimble.
• I thought the Corolla sedan felt a little softer and didn't feel nearly as nimble. Likely because it's longer. Since I wanted a manual, the sedan offered less options compared to what you could get in the hatch as well.

I have a family of four (including one rear-facing 5 month old) and we fit in the Corolla hatch just fine. Because of that, I went with the hatch. I love having the extra options like leather, heated seats, etc.

If you need the extra space do the sedan. If space isn't a huge concern, the hatch is the way to go IMO.

 

You must be in the Canadian market because USA Corollas don't have those options and or as many choices as the Canadian market does. You guys get heated seats.
I test drove an SE Corolla hatchback but it had a CVT transmission which you had to pay extra for coming out to a price of $28,800+ with not any options. I would rather have the 6 spd. manual. over the CVT. I prefer the styling of the HB over the larger Corolla Sedan and the fact that when you fold the seats down in the HB they lay flat unlike the larger sedan with those seats not flat. I don't have to worry about transporting people in the back so the hatchback is a plus for me in loading and in style. Plus it has a smaller body so It would be more agile. I didn't get to test drive a sedan.
As far as the XSE I understand that model has a stiffer ride for better handling over the SE which has a more comfortable ride.

 

Actually ... the HBs that come with oem 18" wheels use different coils and shocks compare to the ones that come with non 18"s. I remember digging up this info. Don't know if this has changed over the years. See this old discussion:

General Handling, and Hatch vs Sedan?

Im considering a new 6MT Corolla. Initially I liked the hatchback. But now the sedan is growing on me as well. The more I look at it, the Sedan is actually one of the better looking small cars to come along in a long while. I test drove one SE Sedan, and two Hatchbacks. It’s sometimes...

www.toyotanation.com

 

I've never heard of that or seen anything on that before, but that's also like how I found out the hatch has bigger brakes on the front.

 

The 2022 SE automatic transmission is not a standard CVT. It has an actual 1st gear then goes into the CVT. The LE has the standard CVT version.
As far as how quiet the sedan is. NOT AT ALL. Just bought my SE two weeks ago and as soon as I can I am going to pull the seats And rug and going to add sound deadening insulation. Love the car but it's noisy.

 

The 2022 SE automatic transmission is not a standard CVT. It has an actual 1st gear then goes into the CVT. The LE has the standard CVT version.
As far as how quiet the sedan is. NOT AT ALL. Just bought my SE two weeks ago and as soon as I can I am going to pull the seats And rug and going to add sound deadening insulation. Love the car but it's noisy.

For 2022:
1.8L gas engine gets CVT
2.0L gas engine gets Direct Shift CVT

For 2023:
1.8L gas only is no longer offered
All grades of gas get 2.0L and DS-CVT

2026 Toyota Corolla Specifications | Toyota.com

Visit the official Toyota site for the 2026 Toyota Corolla specifications. Learn more about its performance, dimensions, and available comfort and safety features.

www.toyota.com

 

I just sold a Chevy Spark due to the Jacko CVT transmissions. Actually liked the car but the tranny's are no good. I specifically wanted the SE to have the CVT with the 1st gear. (And the 2.0 engine)
Took it on the highway today for a 50 mile ride And got 42 MPG. Very happy. But I do not like to road nosie. Cannot wait to sound deaden the floor.

 

I just sold a Chevy Spark due to the Jacko CVT transmissions. Actually liked the car but the tranny's are no good. I specifically wanted the SE to have the CVT with the 1st gear. (And the 2.0 engine)
Took it on the highway today for a 50 mile ride And got 42 MPG. Very happy. But I do not like to road nosie. Cannot wait to sound deaden the floor.

Tires make a big difference in noise levels

 

From what I've read the start is what is the the hardest on the CVT. The physical 1st hear is supposed to elevate that issue. Ok

 

Actually, CVTs like staying at a fixed torque ratio so take off and cruising are ideal CVT states (high and low ratio). It is in between that's a challenge (slipping, whine, etc.). Straight from Toyota on DS-CVT:

Direct Shift-CVT: A New Type of Continuously Variable Transmission | Toyota's New Powertrain | TNGA | Mobility | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

The basic function of any transmission system is to achieve transmission efficiency, high-efficiency engine ranges, and highly responsive gear changes. To improve these functions, Toyota has striven to reduce mechanical loss, adopt a wider gear range, and improve shift tracking. These...

global.toyota

 

I have both models. So I can objectively compare them.

The sedan was built in April in Mississippi and the hatch in Japan in June. Both are very nice with good ride comfort and handling. But the sedan is the better car. It's drum tight, without even a hint of a squeak or rattle, rides better, despite having 18" wheels/tires. It has a fair amount more rear leg room and has trunk space that the hatch can't compete with. And in the case of our 2 cars, the sedan's CVT is much smoother, especially when transitioning from 1st gear to CVT.

Even though they are both '22 SEs, there are some interesting trim differences. The sedan SE has 18" wheels (hatch has 16s), additional LED lighting in the front and a nice finished dual tip exhaust.

The hatch SE has non of that. However it inexplicably has push-button start (sedan does not). It also has full size cup holders on the rear door panels and all the switches... even the window switches on the rear doors are are back-lit. Only a few are on the sedan.

You would think the SE trims would be spec'd the same across the two, but no. I like them both.....and typically spend most of my time in the hatch because my wife prefers the sedan. But in the case of these 2 particular vehicles, if I had to choose one to daily it would be the sedan. It just "feels" better.

 

I have both models. So I can objectively compare them.

The sedan was built in April in Mississippi and the hatch in Japan in June. Both are very nice with good ride comfort and handling. But the sedan is the better car. It's drum tight, without even a hint of a squeak or rattle, rides better, despite having 18" wheels/tires. It has a fair amount more rear leg room and has trunk space that the hatch can't compete with. And in the case of our 2 cars, the sedan's CVT is much smoother, especially when transitioning from 1st gear to CVT.

Even though they are both '22 SEs, there are some interesting trim differences. The sedan SE has 18" wheels (hatch has 16s), additional LED lighting in the front and a nice finished dual tip exhaust.

The hatch SE has non of that. However it inexplicably has push-button start (sedan does not). It also has full size cup holders on the rear door panels and all the switches... even the window switches on the rear doors are are back-lit. Only a few are on the sedan.

You would think the SE trims would be spec'd the same across the two, but no. I like them both.....and typically spend most of my time in the hatch because my wife prefers the sedan. But in the case of these 2 particular vehicles, if I had to choose one to daily it would be the sedan. It just "feels" better.

View attachment 404207 View attachment 404208

This is why people need to test drive to find what fits their preference, because we had the exact opposite experience when comparing the HB and Sedan.

 

The sedan trunk is HUGE compared to the overall size of the car. With the OEM roof rack and a cargo carrier it'll probably hold as much luggage as a small crossover.

 

I'm a golfer. I drive a 21, 2.0, cvt, hatch. Fits the clubs great and they are easy to get in and out. I leave the back seats folded down all the time. Came from a Mini so the car seems quiet and very smooth on the road to me.

 

I have a white SE sedan and I really like the colour. My VW is "silk blue" which is a very pretty colour, but white is low maintenance and it's easy to make it look sharp. I live on a dirt road and if I come home in a downpour, I just hose it off afterwards. The VW always results in spots and a white film and needs a full wash.

 

You don't have those low profile tires and wheels that people spend extra $$$ for. That's good as you will get a better comfortable ride and won't have to worry about the tire maintenance cost as well as potholes as much as you would with those fancy tires & wheels that also get stolen. I like the white on your Corolla sedan also. So for me I would either get a SE Corolla hatchback in white or windchill pearl white. I have not test driven a SE Corolla Sedan yet but did test drive a SE Corolla Hatchback with CVT.

 

Where I live there's a pothole pandemic, so yes, low profile tires are NOT desirable for me. Both my VW and Corolla have the same size tires, P205/55R16. However I bought my Corolla used this past March (it's a 2020 and had 34k km on it), so beggars can't be choosers! I probably would have taken the larger wheels if that's what was available but I lucked out on a non-upgrade SE with 16" wheels (standard in Canada) AND a manual transmission.

 

That's great that you got a manual trans. It seems to be that now the manual is being discontinued or not ordered by many customers anymore. I would prefer a manual trans still over this new CVT direct drive. But we are at the mercy of the market and hopefully things will get better here on the new car market in the USA soon.

 

The manual turned out to be a blessing for me in more ways than just a more enjoyable drive. The car had been sitting on my VW dealer's used lot for 4 months, because nobody wants a manual Corolla. So even in this crazy market, I was able to negotiate the price down substantially. Since I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off, I don't have to worry about resale value.

 

I'd like to think with the lack of available manuals & the fact they are dying off all together that having one would help sustain its value when the time came to sell it, being it'll probably be a unicorn by that time.

 

Manual discontinued for MY23 and I cried. Said only 1.7% speced manual.

I learned to drive manual on my own "freshly" converted (in 2007) manual Corolla, that I still drive to this day. Before this my only exposure to manual was trying to move a Tercel awd wagon and a Caravan into my high school shop class.

I am a firm believer of manual trans or no trans, the latter meaning hybrid or EV. And we don't have a hybrid hatchback

 

That's because the new generation of drivers don't know how to drive a manual or have the desire to. So perhaps the sales reflect this and Toyota drop the manual trans?