RYAN ZUMMALLEN: Everybody has a Corolla story or a Camry story.
The Corolla is tailor-made for first time commuters.
And the Camry has been the official vehicle
of after-school pickups since I was learning algebra.
Today, these models are very different from the Toyotas
of your childhood.
So let's dive into these surprisingly modern cars.
I'm Ryan from Edmunds.
Each year, we painstakingly test hundreds of cars,
while CarMax experts buy, sell, and appraise
thousands and thousands.
We're combining our car testing knowledge
with their experience to help you make the right choice
on your next car.
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And if you'd like to read a full article comparing these two
models, click the link in the description below.
Right here we have two models that are
very common on the used market.
So you'll have quite a selection to choose from.
First up is the 2020 Toyota Corolla.
Now the model year is important here
because, for 2020, the Corolla got a new body style.
And trust me, you want the new body style.
In 2020, the Corolla also got a range of improvements
across the board, plus hybrid and hatchback variants
if you prefer.
But we'll stick with the ubiquitous sedan
that we have here today.
CarMax sells the 2020 Corolla for an average
of about $17,000, depending on things
like the trim level, mileage, options, and other factors.
And over here, we have a 2020 Toyota Camry.
Now this version of the Camry came out in 2018,
so it's been around a little longer than the Corolla.
But there are lots of changes you should know.
The Camry comes with the same spacious trunk and smooth ride
that you'll remember from your middle school years.
Ah, memories.
CarMax sells the 2020 Camry for an average of about $24,000,
again, depending on things like the trim level, mileage,
options, and other factors.
So obviously, there's a difference
in size between the smaller Corolla and the larger Camry.
But here's what you really need to know about these two.
The Corolla is a small sedan with seating
for up to five passengers.
For 2020, it's a little lower to the ground,
which makes it look fun.
It's also a little wider and a little shorter front to back.
Don't you just want to put it in your pocket.
This is also a light car.
That will come in handy later.
The Camry is a midsize sedan, so it's bigger than the Corolla--
and it shows.
This car has a much longer wheel base,
which makes for a smooth ride.
That also allows plenty of space for passengers inside.
And all that length creates a large cargo area.
More on that in just a minute.
Over our years of testing at Edmunds,
we've come to associate Toyota sedans with spacious interiors.
Let's see how these measure up.
This tiny car took a huge leap forward
when the redesigned 2020 model came out.
Let me show you what I mean.
Up front, you have a roomy cabin.
And the driver's seat has a lot of adjustability.
So it's easy to get nice and comfy behind the steering
wheel.
However, when you go into the back seat,
space is more limited.
And if you're around six feet tall, like me,
you'll quickly notice that there's not
a whole lot of headroom either.
But the overall interior quality is definitely improved.
And it makes the Corolla much more competitive
in its segment against rivals, because you have
less cheap plastic in here.
And when we were driving around, we
didn't notice any annoying cracks or rattles.
Most of all, there are interesting visual cues
in here--
in a Corolla.
You have this cool line that runs
from the bottom of the touchscreen
out to the edge of the dash.
In this SE model, you get cool, blue accent
stitching on the seats.
Pretty nice.
Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touch screen
with Apple CarPlay.
But there's no Android Auto available.
That doesn't come until 2021 models.
To ease the sting, the 2020 Corolla
does have Bluetooth compatibility,
so that should help.
We do think you'll like the controls,
because they're clearly labeled and everything is nicely
within reach.
Pro-tip-- if you get the XLE or XSE trims,
those come with a larger 8-inch screen and nice and toasty
heated seats.
Now let's check out the Camry.
Now the interior of the Camry is one of its best attributes.
You've got a really airy cabin with lots of space
to move around and get comfortable.
Plus, your outward visibility and lines of sight
are very, very clear so you can see the road ahead.
If you get into the back seat, there's
immediately a big difference between this and the Corolla.
There's lots of room to move around.
And it's especially good for taller adults.
The Camry has lots of room, even if you're
comparing it to other cars that are this size.
But if you compare it to the Corolla, it feels like an arena
back here.
However, when it comes to material quality
inside the Camry, it's probably not going to impress anybody.
Sure, there's a pretty dramatic design,
including this big line that makes
it look like the screen is floating above the center
console.
But when you get up close to these controls,
there's some pretty cheap-looking plastic buttons.
And the steering wheel feels like it's been carried over
from a few years ago.
And even if you're considering a Camry or a Corolla,
the jump in price up to the Camry I don't really think
is reflected in the quality of the materials here.
If you're looking for a sedan this size and interior
quality is important to you, we'd
recommend you take a look at something like a Honda
Accord or a Mazda CX.
But if this is your first time getting
into this generation of the Camry,
you'll probably be impressed by the style
as well as how easy it is to locate and use
all the controls.
When it comes to standard equipment,
just like the Corolla, the Camry has a 7-inch touch screen.
But unlike the Corolla, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
standard.
Aha.
Also similar to the Corolla, if you get the Camry XLE or XSE,
you get an 8-inch screen plus heated seats.
A bonus-- leather interior.
Here are the key takeaways from the interior.
The Corolla is surprisingly modern and comfortable.
Its cabin is finally not a sore point.
With the Camry, it feels dated inside, but oh so spacious.
Plus, you have access to more optional features.
On the road, smooth is the name of the game
with both of these cars.
But there are key differences between the two Toyotas.
So here's what you should expect behind the wheel.
So here we are in the Corolla.
Now compact sedans always have the potential
to feel really peppy on the road.
But does the Corolla fit the bill?
The standard engine is a 1.8-liter four cylinder.
But this model has the larger 2.0 liter.
It may be bigger, but this is definitely still
on the slow side.
You can still pick a manual transmission if you want.
But the CVT automatic is much more common.
Dynamically, the car is no better than average.
But because of its low weight, it actually feels fast,
and even a little fun.
Normally, we don't mind noise coming from under the hood.
But this isn't a good one.
It sounds droney.
You get steering that's light and easy,
but it doesn't really stand out.
If you're looking for something zippy in the class,
we recommend the Mazda 3 and the Honda Civic.
So yeah, the Camry is a bigger sedan with bigger power.
But does that mean bigger fun?
Check this out.
The Camry gets a 2.5-liter four cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6.
This one has the four cylinder.
And while it's not fast, it does feel strong.
There's no manual transmission option on this one.
And the standard automatic is extra smooth,
plus it's geared toward fuel economy.
Dynamically, this is worlds better than past Camrys.
But it's still not sporty like some rivals are.
If you drive it smooth, you get rewarded with a comfortable
and even responsive drive.
The steering is accurate and the brake pedal feels good.
Just don't push the Camry too hard.
It's a show horse--
not a racehorse.
To break it down, there is no fast Corolla.
But the plus side is this generation
is easy to drive and good on gas, as we'll discuss later.
By comparison, the Camry feels solid, sturdy, and miles better
than generations in the past.
Here's what you should know about living
with these vehicles day to day.
In our Edmunds testing, we found that the Corolla
has one slight inconvenience and one major advantage.
When it comes to cargo capacity, the Corolla
has decent trunk space.
But compared to other cars its size,
it's definitely less than average.
The other thing you should know is
that when you fold the rear seats down,
they don't go all the way flat with the trunk.
Storage is just not front of mind with the Corolla.
With the 2-liter engine and CVT transmission,
it gets an EPA estimated 34 MPG combined.
And it's very good in the class.
However, getting the manual transmission or the 1.8-liter
engine will lower the EPA rating.
The Camry has gone through lots of changes
over the course of its lifespan, but its focus on practicality
remains a constant.
It's got all of the basics that we look
for when it comes to storage--
a large capacity, a wide opening,
and a low lift-over height.
It's also got little handles back here
so you can fold down the rear seats.
Just like the Corolla, they don't go all the way flat.
But the Camry still has one of the largest trunks
you can buy in this segment.
Throughout the cabin you'll find lots of storage spaces
for your small items, which is a definite plus.
And for its size, fuel economy is strong.
Our model has an EPA estimated 31 MPG combined.
And you can get up to 34 MPG with the base Model Camry.
Those numbers are great for the class.
To round it up, the Corolla's excellent fuel economy
makes up for its storage restrictions.
We think that makes it a great light duty vehicle.
What's great about the Camry is it's
built to be used all the time--
loading, hauling, long-range driving.
It's all good.
It's no coincidence that Toyota sedans
appeal to so many different types of people.
They can handle almost anything you throw at them
and help you save on gas in the process.
The great thing has been watching them catch up
with the times in recent years.
The Corolla and the Camry are now much more modern
than they've been in the past.
That's good news for you.
If you find a 2020 model Corolla or a Camry that
fits your needs, these are generally
very good models to buy, because they've got updated features
and they're comfortable on the road.
Still, for driving fun or truly outstanding features,
you should probably look elsewhere.
Toyota makes comfortable and practical cars that deliver.
We like the Corolla for a compact right
at the right price and the Camry for a versatile vehicle
that's just a little bit better than average
at almost everything.
Let us know which one of these cars
you plan on taking home someday soon.
Thanks for watching.
Click Like and subscribe to see more CarMax videos.
And if you'd like to read more information
about the Corolla or the Camry, click the link
in the description below.
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