2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Nightshade – Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Putting the FUN back in driving

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

Go figure. You might assume any special edition Corolla called Nightshade would be painted black. But the 2024 model we tested this week was a dazzling shade of white called "Polar Cap." Of course, you can also buy a black Corolla Nightshade, even one painted Silver. The big news isn't so much color as the fact that the Nightshade is back in the Corolla lineup for 2024, after a year's hiatus in 2023. From an appearance standpoint, the Nightshade package turns the rather prosaic-looking stock Corolla SE into a highly appealing sports-oriented sedan (hatchback also available). You'll find a black front sport mesh grill, black power adjustable rearview mirrors (heated), black side rocker panels, rear diffuser and rear lip spoiler. All exterior badging is black. Nightshade also installs SofTex trimmed sports seats for driver and passenger, with contrasting gray sport fabric inserts. Thankfully, Toyota has jettisoned boring black alloy rims in favor of sparkling bronze finished, 14 spoke, 18 inch aluminum wheels shod with high grip (TW 340) Dunlop SP Sport 5000 radials (225/40R18).

You can order your Nightshade two ways. The basic gasoline model is powered by a 2.0 liter inline-4 making 169hp and 151lb.-ft. of torque. However, you can select a hybrid Nightshade that substitutes a less powerful but more efficient 1.8 liter inline-4 that produces 138hp and just 105lb.-ft. of torque. The gasoline-only model retails for $25,490, while the hybrid bumps the base price to $26,490. Both versions are linked to a continuously variable transmission. If you're looking for more straight-line acceleration, the gasoline-only Corolla is the way to go. It will run from zero to sixty in 8.3 seconds, and cut a standing start quarter mile of 16.4 seconds at 88mph. The hybrid we drove is noticeably slower, with a zero to sixty run of 9 seconds and a quarter mile time of 16.9 seconds at 80mph. However, the payoff with the hybrid comes at the gas pump, where its 47MPG overall consumption will save you over $4,000 in fuel costs over 5 years compared to the average new vehicle. For comparison, the non-hybrid Corolla registers 42MPG in overall driving. Personally, I would recommend opting for the livelier non-hybrid version.

Toyota has given the latest Nightshade Corolla a sports suspension system that takes full advantage of the excellent grip offered by the Dunlop rubber. You can select a "Sport" setting from the drive mode control switch conveniently located on the nose of the center console. Sport Mode refines steering feedback as well as sensitizing throttle response. I found myself opting for Sport every time I climbed behind the wheel. The Nightshade Corolla has the suspension underpinnings to cope with an engine putting out twice the 138hp of our test hybrid. Even in its current underpowered form, the Nightshade is a blast to drive. With a curb weight of just 3,250 pounds, this five-seat sedan is agile, responsive, and easy to control. After a recent slew of lumbering SUV test vehicles, the lithe Corolla and its gumball Dunlops seemed like the epitome of sports sedan driving freedom.

Helping bide time in our test car was an excellent $600 optional JBL Premium Audio which surrounded us with 9 speakers, 800 watts, and a subwoofer and amplifier. That made listening to SiriusXM (3 month free Platinum Trial Plan) all the more pleasurable. Our test Corolla also benefitted from a $530 Convenience package (heated, powered outside rearview mirrors with turn signal indicators) plus a very beneficial rear cross traffic alert. What a refreshing state of affairs it was to drive a small sedan like the Corolla where you can actually see all four corners of the car from the driver's seat. Instead of moving until your beeper system tells you to stop, you can actually see where you're going when maneuvering around a crowded parking lot. It's one of the many essential safety factors giant SUVs have eliminated from today's incapacitated driving repertoire.

The Corolla Nightshade is a steal at an out-the-door price of $29,971. If you opt for the more powerful but less expensive non-hybrid, you can knock another $1,450 off that price. Either way, the latest Nightshade is a great addition to the Toyota model line, and a lot of fun for the money. And nice to see that white is the new black.

2024 TOYOTA COROLLA HYBRID NIGHTSHADE

ENGINE: 1.8 liter inline-4, DOHC, 16-valve + 3 AC Motors
HORSEPOWER: 138hp (Combined)
TORQUE: 105lb.-ft. (Combined)
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 50MPG City/43MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $29.971

HYPES: Spectacular Fuel Economy, Fun To Drive

GRIPES: Down On Power

STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman