2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs, Interior, Images

2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs, Interior, Images   –  A perpetual bestseller for its brand, the 2026 Toyota Corolla iM has undergone some under-the-hood upgrades. Gone is the 1.8L engine of old, with all gas-powered sedans getting the same 2.0L four-cylinder that was previously reserved for pricier trims. The Corolla iM also gets some new styling cues and a new infotainment system with subscription-based services, and upgrades to its driver-assist safety technology.

2026 Toyota Corolla iM Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The Corolla iM’s front seats are supportive and stayed comfortable during a two-hour trek. I would have preferred a power driver’s seat, but that comes only in the top-level XSE. It’s tougher for those in the rear seats, where legroom is tight and the seat cushions are flat. The suspension tends to be noisy over bumps, but surprisingly, the ride remains relatively smooth and composed over all but the nastiest road imperfections.

2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs

The entry L trim is fairly basic, coming with the aforementioned safety features plus manual air conditioning, 15-inch steel wheels, and the eight-inch multimedia touchscreen, which now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (they were wired before), satellite radio, and a connected services trial including an emergency assistance button and stolen vehicle locator. The LE adds heated front seats, automatic climate control, 16-inch steel wheels, an electric parking brake, and a wiper de-icer. The optional LE Upgrade package ($2,050) further tacks on alloy wheels with locking nuts, push-button start, a heated steering wheel, wireless charger, and power sunroof.

Engine and Performance

Prior to this year, this LE tester would have had a 1.8L four-cylinder engine that made 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. Now it gets the same 2.0L four-cylinder as SE and XSE trims, making 169 hpand 151 lb-ft of torque. It’s a welcome upgrade, giving this little sedan better acceleration and more passing power on the highway. It’s still not a sports car, and the engine can be growly, but it’s fine for everyday driving.

This one, dubbed a direct-shift, includes a first gear that engages when you first take off; it then goes to the more fuel-efficient gearless CVT pulley system. This gives the car a snappier and more conventional feel when taking off from a stop. 2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs

2026 Toyota Corolla iM Fuel Economy

The Corolla iM LE, with its new 2.0L engine, is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 7.4 L/100 km in the city, 5.7 on the highway, and 6.7 in combined driving. In my week with it, I averaged 7.1 L/100 km; it takes 87-octane gasoline.

Its rivals are fairly close, with the Hyundai Elantra rated at 6.7 L/100 km combined; the Honda Civic is 6.9; and the Mazda3 is 7.6; and all of them with 2.0L engines also.  2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs

2026 Toyota Corolla iM Safety Features

The Corolla iM earns the top five-star ratings from crash from NHTSA. It also earns a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It misses the top higher Top Safety Pick+ award due to earning “Acceptable” instead of the highest “Good” for the updated side and moderate front overlap tests, which now better simulate being struck by a large SUV.

All trims receive updated driver-assist safety technologies, including emergency front braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. The second-from-base LE includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert along with 10 airbags and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles sold in Canada.  2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs

2026 Toyota Corolla iM Price and Release Date

The gas-only Corolla iM lineup starts at $24,450 and runs to $32,150, which puts it about midrange with competitors. The Hyundai Elantra is the least expensive, at $22,224 to $31,674; while the Mazda3 starts slightly lower than the Corolla iM at $24,260 but tops it at the highest trim at $34,460; and the Honda Civic runs between $28,115 and $35,180, all prices including destination.  2026 Toyota Corolla iM Specs

At $27,500, the Corolla iM LE with its optional Upgrade pack might be the sweet spot for many buyers for its price and features list. The next-step-up SE adds such items as upgraded seat fabric, premium headlights, fog lights and a sportier suspension, but to get my tester’s sunroof, heated steering wheel, and wireless charger, along with 18-inch wheels, you must add the SE Upgrade package. Once you do, you’ve moved up $2,300 above my tester.