A modern commuter needs to offer more than just great fuel economy – although that’s definitely high on the priority list as well. In modern times, part of what makes a commuter car more relaxing is both comfort and technology. You want space, back support, driver-assist tech, and an easy-to-navigate infotainment center. Sounds impossible? The good news is that it’s not, thanks to modern cars like the 2022 Toyota Corolla.
Fuel Economy and Performance
Who knew that a car with impressive fuel economy could still be fun? In the past, drivers have had to sacrifice power for savings at the fuel tank, but the new Corolla changes that. You can get up to 40 MPG on the highway in this model, and that’s not even factoring in its available hybrid version. Even more incredibly, the most efficient traditional engine is also the most capable – a 2.0-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder that produces up to 169 horsepower. When you knock it into Sport Mode, you’ll get an even peppier drive. So, if you still want to have occasional fun in your commuter, you can. Conversely, you can pop it into Eco Mode to get the best possible fuel economy.
The hybrid 2022 Toyota Corolla offers even better fuel economy with a max of 52 MPG on the highway. It also includes its own unique drive mode options, with Normal, Power, and Eco options. The Normal mode is for driving using both your gasoline and your electric charge, while the Power mode is for peppier trips. That might sound out of place on a hybrid, but this eco-friendly Corolla still makes 168 horsepower. Whether you want to go hybrid or prefer sticking to a traditional gasoline engine, the 2022 Toyota Corolla ranks among the most fuel-efficient 2022 car models on the market.
The Interior Aspects
Once you secure that good fuel-economy spec, your next concern as a commuter is comfort and convenience. The good news is that whether you get a base-level trim or a higher-end trim, you’re guaranteed comfort. The 2022 Corolla’s seating options include premium sport seats and SofTex upholstery with heated seating options. These seats pair well with the soft-touch interior accents and available leather-wrapped steering wheel. The optional moonroof option is good for saving the A/C and cooling the car naturally.
Now, let’s talk about technology. The 2022 Toyota Corolla comes with a standard 7-inch infotainment screen that includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto, along with Amazon Alexa connectivity. Through Alexa, you can make commands to your car from your home and to your home from your car. But even more importantly, you can locate your vehicle, start your engine, and adjust the climate control via your wireless device. This makes it easy to get your car cool or warm before you even leave your home or office.
This model also comes with plenty of interior space. This sedan offers 42 inches of front legroom and 34.8 inches in the back, with 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space. When you choose the hybrid trim, you don’t have to sacrifice any trunk space either, thanks to the Corollas hidden battery design. Since you’ll be spending more time looking at your steering wheel than looking at your car’s exterior, it’s good to know that the 2022 Toyota Corolla’s interior is comfortable and convenient.
Safely Get Back and Forth to Work
When you have to drive back and forth to work every day, your chances of being in an auto accident increase heavily. In fact, the most dangerous time to be on the road is from 5 to 6 pm when everyone is getting off from work. This is why having that additional safety support is so important if you’re a daily commuter.
While you’re probably expecting a list made up of driver-assist technologies, the 2022 Toyota Corolla goes beyond that. Its Star Safety System includes several important mechanical safety features that always come before driver-assist options. Let’s go over each one and its importance before switching gears to driver-assist technologies.
Let’s start off with the Anti-Lock Braking System, or “ABS.” This system is used to prevent skidding and is integrated with Traction Control to reduce engine power, slow down wheels that have lost traction, and prevent sliding. Finally, Vehicle Stability Control is there to correct the steering aspect when traction is lost.
Smart Stop Technology is another important Star Safety System feature. It can detect when drivers accidentally accelerate, slowing down their acceleration until the foot is off the brake. It can detect this by feeling that the driver’s foot is still engaged with the brake upon acceleration. These, among other built-in features, help aid in accident prevention. That said, there are still some important driver-assist features to look at here as well.
The Driver-Assistance Perks
Everyone loves a brand that doesn’t make them pay extra just to access modern tech and safety features. Toyota is one of these brands. The 2022 Toyota Corolla comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, meaning you don’t have to pay extra for its features, even on the base model. You’ll get six different technologies standard with this safety suite:
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
The Pre-Collision System uses cameras and radars to detect potential collisions. It does this by monitoring objects, vehicles, and pedestrians. When you don’t take control, it kicks into action and automatically brakes for you. Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to match traffic and can even come to a full stop. However, if you choose the manual transmission option, you will get a slightly less sophisticated version of Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
Lane Departure Alert lets you know when you’re heading over the yellow line and can automatically center you back into the correct lane. Lane Tracing Assist is a more advanced version that works to keep you centered in your lane when you activate Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Control.
Road Sign Assist is a newer feature that collects road sign information, keeping it stored in its recent memory. This way, if you forget the speed limit or miss a warning sign, your Multi-Information Display will be there to remind you. And, of course, Automatic High Beams are there to keep you from bright lighting everyone on the road. You can keep your brights on and let your automatic dimmers take care of the rest.
The best safety setup comes from combined mechanical and driver-assist safety features, and this model’s NHTSA 5-star overall safety rating proves it. You can easily rely on the 2022 Toyota Corolla’s safety features to keep you well protected no matter how hectic that daily commute gets.
Your Commute Doesn’t Have to be Boring!
Not only can you save fuel and stay safe in the Corolla, but you can also look cool while doing it. You can play it practical, or you upgrade your car to the Apex or Nightshade editions for a much sportier exterior. The Apex edition includes a black and bronze body kit with black accents and some performance upgrades. You can also pair it with any of the Corolla’s 16 color options for an even more customized look.
The Nightshade Edition is simply a blacked-out version of the Corolla. This edition comes with a long line of Nightshade Toyota models. While these different editions are appealing, keep in mind that even the “basic” Toyota Corolla is sportier than ever before. It comes with a wide grille, spoilers, diffusers, and even side rocker panels. Who wouldn’t want to drive into work in such a fun and practical package?
