The Camry might be the bestselling passenger car in the country, but the Corolla may have a more devoted following. The compact sedan has a reputation for inexpensive ownership and near-indestructibility. It also delivers excellent fuel economy—and for a sticker price that undercuts hybrids by thousands of dollars.
Redesigned for 2014, the Corolla is now in its 11th generation.
What's New for 2014
The Corolla is almost completely new. A rearview camera is standard in all models, except for the base.
Choosing Your Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is available with options galore that require reading the fine print. Most are very reasonably priced, though, and MSRPs range from around $17,000 to $19,000.
Toyota offers two engine variants in the lineup:
- L, LE and S models use a standard 132-horsepower version of Toyota's familiar 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Depending on exact specification, these Corollas get between 36 mpg highway and 38 mpg highway.
- Eco models use efficient Valvematic to extract 140 horsepower from the 1.8-liter engine. Cars with this engine are rated for 40 mpg highway.
Except for the base L, the each trim level has Plus and Premium variants:
- Plus: Fog lights appear at this level, along with an option list that includes a moonroof, smart key, and navigation.
- Premium: This adds heated and power front seats upholstered in SofTex.
The four main trim levels include:
The Corolla won't thrill you with its performance or looks, but drivers who appreciate reliability and inexpensive ownership are sure to be pleased. With minor differences in price, which Corolla you choose depends entirely on your top priority: comfort (LE), performance (S) or economy (Eco).