2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition Adds Good Looks - Here's What We Wish It Had

Toyota's 2021 Corolla Hatch SE is an appearance package. We wish the SE had more changes under the hood.

Toyota will add a Special Edition to its Corolla Hatchback line late this summer. The new SE Corolla will have special paint and an appearance kit. It looks great to our eyes. However, our wish for the Corolla isn't all about looks.

Our opinion is that the Corolla Hatchback is a good all-around vehicle. It serves its target audience well. However, why not expand that audience a bit to include those who want a car that is exciting to drive? Where is Toyota's MazdaSpeed 3?" Where is Toyota's "Hyundai Veloster N?" Where is the Toyota WRX? Where is Toyota's "Civic Si?" Its "GTI?" There is no practical, but exciting small car from Toyota.

We understand that the Lexus division has some great cars, and more on the way. Like the new IS sports sedan. The well-equipped versions of those cars cost around $60K. Where is Toyota's exciting practical car that costs $28K? The Toyota 86 is fun, but it doesn't fit the bill as practical, and frankly, it too is still under-torqued for its mission.

We'd like to see Toyota place an engine under the hood of the Corolla Hatchback that has 200 ft-lbs of torque at 1,500 RPMs. An electric drive would be fine. Or a small turbo. Anything to make the car get up and go with vigor. As it is now built, the Corolla Hatchback is about 50 lb-ft of torque short, and the torque needs to be instant. And linear.

Instead of a needed engine transplant, the new Corolla Hatchback Special Edition gets a body kit that Toyota says "...adds a sporty front splitter, side skirts, black rear roof spoiler, a rear bumper garnish and a unique Special Edition badge." We don't need no stinking badges. Bring us torque.

John Goreham is not just a dreamer when it comes to hot hatches. He's owned a Supra and a Civic Si. John's a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. In 2008 he retired from a career in semiconductor manufacturing and Bio-tech to chase his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

Image courtesy of Toyota Media Services.