Overview & Reviews

Well into its fourth decade of production, the compact Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in automotive history, and for good reason. Small, inexpensive, fuel-efficient and as reliable as the day is long, the Corolla is the quintessential economy car. As long as you change the oil on time and don't hit a tree, any Corolla should provide dependable transportation well past the 100,000-mile mark. That's why so many shoppers keep buying Corollas year after year.

Since its 1968 introduction in the U.S., the Toyota Corolla has come in a variety of body styles, including a sedan, coupe, hatchback and wagon. More recently, however, it has only been available as a sedan. Today's Corolla has almost as much rear passenger space as a midsize sedan and its fuel economy is impressive. Although rivals boast sportier designs and more entertaining driving dynamics, a Corolla is nonetheless an excellent choice for smart consumers on a budget.

User Reviews:

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  Not So Hot - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By CJ - January 5 - 7:43 am

  This vehicle handles dangerously on the highway. Toyota chose to equip this vehicle with Goodyear Integrity tires, which arguably are some of the worst passenger car tires ever made. Torque steer is way out of line for such a small car. The Corolla gets blown all over the highway in strong winds, and is difficult to control. Persistent problems abound with the fuel system in the Corolla. Including no start conditions after the car sits 30 minutes. Impossible to make factory stereo iPod ready. Cheap, paper cone speakers produce horrid sound. This car simply fails to do anything well.

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  Mine may have been a lemon - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By thecasualgamer - January 4 - 12:07 am

  Mine was actually a 4 speed auto, but manual was the only choice listed. I bought my Corolla in 2013, expecting it to be a cheap car that would be easy on gas, but it had problem after problem.It also had an oil burning problem. I learned a lot from this car though and it will hold value due to it being my first car ever. It was recently totaled and now I have an 02 Avalon. Heres to hoping that itll be less problematic than the Corolla.

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  Miles Per Gallon NOT as advertised - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By rkh88 - October 24 - 1:38 am

  I bought a new Toyota Corolla 2015 based upon the price, size, and miles per gallon. Toyota advertises 29 MPG in the city, 31 combined and 38 on the highway. I have yet to get better than 31 on the highway, and 26 in the city. I am highly disappointed with this. I took it into the dealer, and placed a complaint with Toyota. Since they found "nothing wrong with the car" they did nothing. Very, very disappointing.

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  Small things matter!!! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Bosmat - July 27 - 7:34 am

  This car runs well, but there are a few things I hate about it and would be a deal killer if I had it to do over again. First off, the heat sux!!! (yes thermostat has been changed, and core flushed, etc etc). The heater is simply inadequately sized and this is VERY IMPORTANT if you live in a cold climate! Basically if temperature is below the 30s, it takes a good hour to be warm enough, and then Im at my destination. Anything in the 20s or lower and the heat is not even close to adequate- and foot area never gets enough heat. Ironically, my car has the "heavy duty" heater. Id hate to see standard heater. Secondly the car is LOUD, and I mean L-O-U-D! It picks up more road noise than any car Ive ever been in and Ive been driving for 30 years. I dont think this car has any sound deadening material at all, if anything it has sound amplifying equipment. Third the car doesnt have the sun band at top of the windshield. This is the dark blue stripe that should run across the top of the windshield. If you drive into the sun, this really stinks. I cant drive with the sun visor down all the time because then I cant see traffic signals. On the plus side the gas mileage is good and I think the car will be reliable. Had I realized how bad road noise and shitty heater is, NO WAY would I have bought this car!

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  Poor handling and mpg - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By mark - July 6 - 9:32 am

  I rented this car and I am so surprised that so many people actually bought this car. I dont encourage speeding but, if you had to get out of a line or had to get somewhere sooner I would not recommend doing it in this car. Steering response is weak and miles per gallon is not good at all for this car. There are several cars in its class with better gas mileage. Acceleration is almost non existing and makes gas feel like water. Expected more from a 2015 sport model, I cant imagine what the base models feel like. You will find the same reliability elsewhere.

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  Squishy ride and horrible brakes - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By xpvs - June 29 - 9:45 pm

  Although my gut told me not to buy a Toyota especially after the sticky gas pedal/brake fail issue with them I went for the Corolla because it fit my budget. Last weekend I drive it to Ohio from DC (a one way trip of 450 miles). Things started to get bad as soon as I got outside of the city. The handling of the car is foamy at best. I believe in comfort but when it comes at the expense of not having confidence that the car will make the turn at highway speed, it is not pretty. And then there were the brakes. I decended a few hills and I smelt something burning. I pulled over to check but nothing obvious. A little later the brake pedal needed to be pressed very hard to slow down.

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  Thinkin this was the best for fuel - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By BEARBORG - June 19 - 5:53 pm

  Driven the car for 7.5 months (50,000 KM-now)and I am extremely disappointed as its not fuel efficient at all! All I have been told is...wait for engine break-in. Only made 26 mi/gal (doing 95% highway driving) in the Winter, now up to 32 mi/gal in Spring. Ive complained each month about the fuel economy when taking the car in for reg. oil changes. The other items I have had continual problems with are: air leakage by your head-along windows, squealing fan belt, flat tires that will not hold patches and plugs, these are constant and ongoing. I built cars on the internet comparing/researching prior to buying...due to the miles I make. My goals were gas savings,comfort,value.. Nothing was met

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  toyota service - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By kevin145 - June 10 - 2:54 am

  front brake locked up my dealer changed flex hose ,piston in caliper then the abs box 3 different times. cost over 1000.00 still never fixed it. said want my money back ,he said it was my fault i put dirtybreak fluid in it i said this is first problem ever had and you the dealer was only one worked on it he said tobad your not getting nothing back got mad took car to local mech fixed it for 100.00 last toyota i will ever own of any make .service is poorer then poor.now i just recieved recall on computer lol

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  Worst car I ever drove - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Joni - April 30 - 11:20 am

  Purchased the car a month ago and will be getting rid of it just as fast.  The car drifts on the highway especially in the wind in speeds of 50 and over.  You cant take your hands off the steering wheel even to turn on the radio. When driving behind a truck, same thing.  Cant believe Toyota could let this thing on the road.  Seats are very uncomfortable. Will never buy another Corolla again.

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  I hate what you do for me Toyota. - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By mcgovern1981 - April 24 - 10:27 am

  Sort and sweet. 3 recalls unsure if my car was ever safe to drive. An interior that constantly squeaks. Finally the last straw at 68k Im told I need a new transmission because Im getting a clicking noise whenever I take my foot of the gas they say its a broken tooth on the pinion drive gear..... Theres your legendary reliability. I wonder how much pro reviewers get paid to praise these cars.