The 2019 Toyota Corolla sedan was the final model year of the eleventh-generation car, sold in North America since the 2014 model year. Buyers looking for a 2019 Corolla “S” will not find one: in the United States that year’s Corolla sedan was offered in six trims — L, LE, LE Eco, SE, XSE and XLE — and no S grade. The sporty role in the line-up had passed to the SE and XSE several years earlier.
What the “S” Trim Was
The S badge was used on sporty Corollas in earlier generations, including the previous generation and the early years of the eleventh-generation sedan, which offered S and S Plus grades. When Toyota restructured the Corolla range for 2017, the sport-appearance positions were renamed SE and XSE, and the S name was retired. By 2019 the SE and XSE were the sportier choices, with the SE available with a six-speed manual transmission in addition to the continuously variable automatic used across most of the range.
2019 Corolla Sedan Specifications
The 2019 Corolla sedan is a compact four-door offered with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Most trims produce 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque; the efficiency-focused LE Eco uses a version of the same engine rated at 140 horsepower and 126 lb-ft. A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard, with a six-speed manual available on the SE. The EPA rates most 2019 Corolla sedan models at about 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, with the LE Eco slightly higher.
| Specification | 2019 Toyota Corolla sedan |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.8-liter four-cylinder |
| Power (most trims) | 132 hp / 128 lb-ft |
| Power (LE Eco) | 140 hp / 126 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT; six-speed manual on SE |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Body style | Four-door sedan |
| Model-year status | Final year of the eleventh generation |
Trims and Price
For 2019 the Corolla sedan started at $18,700 for the L and reached about $22,880 at the top of the range, according to Autotrader. The SE and XSE were the sportier trims, while the XLE was the most comfort-oriented. Standard equipment across the range included LED headlights, automatic emergency braking as part of Toyota Safety Sense, and a touchscreen infotainment system. The 2019 Toyota Highlander Engine and Review and 2019 Toyota Sequoia Engine And Redesign pages cover Toyota’s larger models of the same year.
New for 2019: The Corolla Hatchback
While the sedan carried over, 2019 brought an all-new Corolla Hatchback built on the TNGA platform and badged as the E210 series. It used a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 168 horsepower and 151 lb-ft, paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT, and it was offered in SE and XSE trims. The hatchback previewed the engineering that would reach the sedan one year later.
The Corolla After 2019
The eleventh-generation sedan was replaced by the twelfth-generation, E210-based Corolla sedan for the 2020 model year. Toyota later added the performance-focused GR Corolla, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder producing around 300 horsepower. The Corolla nameplate, in production since 1966, remains one of the best-selling car lines in the world.
Interior and Features
Inside, the 2019 Corolla sedan offers a straightforward, well-built cabin with seating for five. Even the base L included LED headlights, a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking and a touchscreen infotainment system, which was more standard safety technology than several rivals offered at the time. Upper trims added features such as keyless entry, a power moonroof, a larger touchscreen and SofTex-trimmed seats. Materials are durable rather than plush, reflecting the Corolla’s role as a value-focused compact.
How the 2019 Corolla Drove
The eleventh-generation Corolla prioritizes comfort and low running costs over driver engagement. The 1.8-liter engine and CVT deliver adequate but unhurried acceleration, and the ride is absorbent on rough roads. Sportier buyers were directed toward the SE and XSE, which added firmer tuning, larger wheels and, on the SE, the option of a six-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy was a strength: most 2019 sedan models were EPA-rated at roughly 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, with the LE Eco rated higher still.
What Replaced the S: The SE and XSE
For buyers who want the sporty Corolla that the S badge once signified, the SE and XSE are the correct trims to look for. The SE brought sport-tuned suspension, unique styling and available manual transmission, while the XSE added more equipment and a more premium interior. Both sat above the LE and below the XLE on the comfort scale.
The Corolla Today
The eleventh-generation sedan was replaced by the twelfth-generation, E210-based Corolla sedan for 2020, which moved to the TNGA platform and added a hybrid option. Toyota later introduced the GR Corolla, a turbocharged all-wheel-drive performance model making around 300 horsepower. The S trim, however, never returned after the lineup was restructured around SE and XSE.
Ownership and Running Costs
The eleventh-generation Corolla has a long record of low running costs. Its naturally aspirated 1.8-liter engine is simple and widely serviced, parts are inexpensive and resale values are strong, while insurance and maintenance costs are modest for the class. These factors, rather than exciting performance, are why the Corolla sedan remained a popular choice for commuters, families and fleet operators in 2019.
