If you’re in the market for a new Toyota Corolla, you might face quite a challenge. That’s deciding whether to get a hatchback or a sedan. Each model has its own great benefits, so it could be quite difficult to choose. 

CarBuzz recently compared the 2021 models of Toyota’s popular compact. Let’s look at the pros and cons to see which Corolla is the better choice for you. 

Pros and cons of the Toyota Corolla hatchback

The first thing that sets the Toyota Corolla hatchback apart from the sedan is its styling. The front portion of the car looks the same as the sedan, but thanks to the classic hatchback rounded gate, the Corolla takes on a whole new look when you get to the back. And that gate design gives the car its best feature: more cargo space. 

This model typically offers 17.8 cubic feet of storage, which is a little over four cubic feet more than the sedan. However, the 2021 Corolla hatchback offers the chance to delete the spare tire and receive a repair kit instead. This lowers the trunk floor and offers 23 cubic feet of space instead. 

However, this model’s most glaring weakness is the rear seat. While the hatchback excels in trunk space, it disappoints with its 29.9 inches of legroom. The sedan has almost five inches more. The only other drawback with the hatchback is that it doesn’t come in a hybrid option as the sedan offers. 

Advantages and disadvantages of the sedan

What the 2021 Toyota Corolla sedan lacks in exterior styling, it makes up for in interior space. With its 34.8 inches of legroom in the rear seats, this model is much more comfortable than the hatchback for long-distance traveling. The trunk space doesn’t exactly excite, but it does a decent job with light storage. 

The 2021 Corolla sedan does offer a sportier version, the Apex Edition. This package offers black wheels, bronze accents, and a black Toyota emblem. But it’s quite a bit more expensive than the regular sedan. The starting price for the Apex Edition is around $26,000 and can go as high as $30,000. The base package retails for $19,825. 

The sedan’s fuel economy is impressive. It boasts 40 mpg on the highway. And the hatchback gets around 38 mpg. But the hybrid sedan can get 52 mpg on the highway. Its 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine produces only 139 hp. There’s also a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder option that generates 169 hp, which is also seen in the Apex Edition.

Which body style is better for you?

Each model offers its benefits, so which one should you choose? To decide, you need to know the features that are the most important to you. For example, if you’re looking for a more spacious trunk, the hatchback is your best bet. It can get up to four cubic feet more than the sedan — and almost 10 cubic feet more when you delete the spare tire. 

If fuel economy is a dealbreaker for you, the sedan is the better choice. The regular model gets two miles per gallon more than the hatchback on the highway. And the hybrid sedan gets a whopping 14 mpg more than the hatchback.

If the purchase cost is an important factor, both models are pretty close. There’s only about a $600 difference when it comes to starting prices. However, the sedan offers more desirable standard features than the hatchback, according to Car and Driver. So you’re getting more value for the money if you ditch the hatchback for the sedan. 

Both models are great, but choose one that suits your needs and desires. The Toyota Corolla has proven to be one of the most reliable vehicles on the market, and you’ll be pleased no matter which one you choose.