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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  GREAT!! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By amycat05 - June 12 - 10:00 am

  TOTALLY COOL AND AWESOME

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  Car better in summer than winter - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By JD - June 9 - 6:30 am

  We love the ride and gas mileage of our 2008 Corolla S. The big negative though is exactly like another owner stated if you do not warn this vehicle for at least 10 minutes in the winter the car has a lot of PISTON SLAP. We took the car to the dealer and was also told that this noise is normal but this cannot be for a car so new.

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  A Love/Hate Relationship - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By atarsh - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I love the design of it, inside and out. I find that the engine is lively but sometimes it does its own thing when I want it to do another. I am also very uncomfortable with the handling, especially at highway speeds. The steering is not great and when the wind is high, the car is all over the road. I have had a lot of quality issues with it, unfortunately. I have had several parts fixed repeatedly, or replaced. I am somewhat dissappointed in this new iteration. I love the looks of it but I am not sure that the quality Toyota is known for is apparent in my car. I love it, however, regardless of its faults.

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  Best choice in class - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By AJT - June 8 - 10:46 pm

  This is the best car in the class for performance compacts. Very good performance + great build + great resale value + good safety (with side airbags). Considered Nissan Sentra (reliability problems) and Honda Accord (price problems). Corolla S didnt have enough oomph for me, plus IMPOSSIBLE to find with ABS. XRS could use more oomph at low RPMs, but still plenty for day-to-day. This cars engine "boosts" at 7K RPM, but youll rarely have a chance to get up there. 30-32 MPG highway, youll downshift out of 6th to pass quickly though. Great handling comes with rougher ride. Youll get "jostled" in your seat going over rougher roads, but very stable in corners, especially on/off ramps.

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  Hard Driver - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Lisa - June 8 - 6:13 pm

  Bought new. Commute 130 mile a day. Have 78K on it now. Mainly highway. I drive aggressively. Problems have been AC leak and currently a very small oil leak around one of the gaskets. Tires were replaced at about 55K. Still never had to replace my brakes. Im 56 and feel comfortable during long trips. There is road noise, but all small cars have that. It drives excellently in the snow. I was shocked at how well it drove through some tough snow mounds the plows left behind. Traction in the snow going up hill isnt the best based on past cars Ive owned. The anti-locks (optional safety package) work great. Would buy this car again.

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  03 Corolla, Great Little Car - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By ski46 - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Toyota and I am very impressed. I have driven Hondas for many years and just wanted a change. The gas mileage is terrific, usually about 38-39 highway and 30 around town with the automatic transmission. Its quiet, roomy and very well put together. Also there is no timing belt to change like on the Hondas and a stainless steel exhaust system. These 2 items alone represent a considerable savings.

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  My favorite car ever - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By looking4car - June 6 - 9:26 am

  I have never had luck with cars, so when I have purchased this car from a friend I thought as long as it gets me through a year. But this has turned out to be my favorite car I have ever owned, and there have been many. The mileage is great, and I havent had any major problems. I would say that cruise control would have been nice in this car but not necessary. I would buy another car like this if I could find one.

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  Deeply disappointing - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By corolla09 - June 4 - 12:12 pm

  My first tow back to the dealer was at 26 km. Sadly things went downhill from there. When I complained about all the rattles and excessive number of engine repairs a Toyota official told me "you cannot compared the Corolla to the Dodge Neon -- theyre not in the same class". Three years later Ive come to realize they werent joking. As an example of the corner-cutting in this car notice that Toyota chose tape rather than clamps to hold the windscreen washer hoses under the bonnet. Now just out of warranty, and at just 19,000 km, Ive been told the piston rings need to be replaced.

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  Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By sarkin - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car-no complaints-smmoth ride. One friend says it feels like shes cruising in a limo!

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  Toyota Corolla - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Andrea Brouillette - June 2 - 8:03 pm

  I have had this car for about a year and a half and it gets excellent gas mileage, drives very smooth, is comfortable, and very reliable. I was also in a wreck about a month ago and the side of my car got hit hard but fortunately I did not get hurt because this car is very safe. When they fixed my car it looked brand new. It really is an overall outstanding car.