2020 Toyota Corolla SE: More Pep Than the Base Trim

Danielle S
Mar 4, 2021

Dark Blue 2020 Toyota Camry SE From Front - Vehicle History

Nimble handling? Check. Excellent fuel economy? Check. Well-appointed interior? Check! The 2020 Toyota Corolla has a lot to offer. And if you’re looking for a sporty ride, be sure to check out the 2020 Corolla’s SE trim as you shop.

What makes the SE trim stand out from the rest?

It’s equipped with a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine at 169 horsepower (that’s 30 horsepower more than the Corolla’s base engine), as well as upgrades like sport front seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Read on to learn more about the 2020 Toyota Corolla and how the sporty SE trim compares to other trims in the lineup.

More about the 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Corolla is part of this compact sedan’s 12th generation of production, which made its debut for the 2019 model year. For this year, five trims are available, starting with the base L.

The standard engine on the five-passenger 2020 Corolla is a 1.8L four-cylinder a 139 horsepower, which is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and comes exclusively with front-wheel drive.

Every 2020 Corolla also comes with Toyota’s suite of safety features to give you some added peace of mind behind the wheel.

These features include:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Forward-collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking

Meanwhile, the base L trim is generously appointed with tech features like a seven-inch touchscreen interface (plus Apple CarPlay smartphone integration), Bluetooth® connectivity, and even an available Wi-Fi hotspot to keep you connected on-the-go.

With all this in mind, it’s not too surprising that the 2020 Corolla has received numerous awards, such as:

  • Green Car of the Year, 2020, Green Car Journal
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick, 2020
  • NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating, 2020

On top of these accolades, the 2020 Corolla doesn’t disappoint when it comes to fuel economy. On its base trim with standard 1.8L engine, you can expect an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined (30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway).

Discover the Sporty Corolla SE Trim

Stepping up to the Corolla’s SE trim may be worth it if you’re looking for something with more power and sporty performance. This model receives a 169-horsepower 2.0L engine under the hood to add a little excitement to your ride.

Meanwhile, the SE trim also gets a specialized CVT with paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel for more enticing performance. If you’d prefer to drive a stick, this is also the only Corolla trim available with an optional six-speed manual transmission.

On top of its performance features, the SE also gets larger 18-inch alloy wheels (compared to 15-inch wheels on the base trim), as well as exclusive sport front seats and a sleek leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Other standard conveniences on the Corolla SE include automatic climate control to keep everybody comfortable and remote keyless entry so you can stop fumbling for your keys.

And despite its more powerful engine, the 2020 Corolla SE gets even better fuel economy than the base L trim at an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined (31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway). Not bad!

Take an even closer look at the 2020 Corolla SE in this 4K YouTube video, which covers the details inside and out.

Run a Vehicle History Report Before You Buy

Can you envision yourself behind the wheel of a sporty 2020 Corolla SE? Before you sign on the dotted line, give the Vehicle History report a detailed look so you can be sure that this is the right car for you. Then, you can buy with confidence.

avatar Danielle S
Danielle S. is a writer with more than 10 years of experience covering the automotive industry. She lives in Indiana ("The Crossroads of America") but enjoys road-tripping around the country whenever she gets the chance.
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