Should I Buy a Used Toyota Corolla?

Best Used Toyota Corollas 

It’s hard to believe that the Toyota Corolla debuted way back in 1966. It became the best-selling car in the world by 1974 and has gone through multiple generations, during which over 40 million have been sold. That makes for a substantial number of used Corollas in the market.

The Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling car to date. It is known for being simple, economical, and extremely reliable. The compact sedan holds its value better than most vehicles, and for good reason. If you are in the market for a used car, and a small sedan will fit your needs, the Corolla is likely a better choice than any when it comes to tried and true value, dependability, and longevity.

Today’s Corolla is in its 11th generation, which started with the complete redesign of the 2014 model. Depending on your sources, there are some discrepancies in the Corolla’s generations. However, it is most important to note that, prior to the 11th gen, 2009 and 2003 marked the car’s major redesigns. So for practical purposes, we will cover the final two model years of the 2003 (9th gen), through the 2009 (10th gen), to the present.

Our used small car rankings include multiple Toyota Corollas that are ranked very favorably. 

• Read the 2014 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2014 Toyota Corolla Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

2007 Corolla

With the ninth-generation Toyota Corolla came an increase in size and more sufficient interior space. Horsepower was upped and the list of standard features continued to grow.

The 2007 Corolla was only available in the four-door compact sedan style. Three trims were offered: CE, S, and LE. All varieties came with an aluminum 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder capable of 126 horsepower and 122 pound-feet of torque. In 2007, the sporty XRS trim that debuted in 2005 was eliminated. The 2008 Corolla was nearly an exact carryover from 2007.

The Corolla of this time period had a wheelbase that was 5 inches longer than past models. The standard transmission was a five-speed manual, with an electronic four-speed automatic as an option. Safety equipment options included side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control.

The base Corolla CE included a CD player, power mirrors, and air conditioning. The move up to the S trim essentially added a sporty appearance package, while the LE went the direction of luxury. However, the LE’s ninth-generation leather interior option went away in 2007.

• Read the 2007 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2007 Toyota Corolla Photos

2008 Corolla

Although the 2007 and 2008 Corollas are nearly one and the same, our scorecard on the models differs. The 2007 received a 7.9 out of 10 versus the 2008 Corolla’s 7.7 out of 10. The biggest discrepancy was in the lower performance scores of the 2008. EPA-estimated fuel economy also dropped in 2008, from 32 mpg city/41 highway, to 28/37, based on new EPA testing standards.

In terms of safety, both model years received four- and five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Corolla Poor in side and rear impacts for 2007, but upped the side impact to Acceptable in 2008.

J.D. Power rated the models well above average for reliability, at 4.5 of five stars. Average prices paid for 2007 and 2008 Toyota Corollas range from $5,582 to $6,489.

• Read the 2008 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2008 Toyota Corolla Photos

2009 and 2010 Corolla

The 2009 Toyota Corolla ranked No. 7 in our 2009 affordable small cars listing. With this model, the sporty XRS trim returned. It was equipped with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that improved performance by 26 horsepower. Other trims included: Standard, LE, XLE, and S. All maintained the 1.8-liter standard engine.

The major redesign in 2009 added standard anti-lock brakes. Options included electronic stability control, power windows and door locks, keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, satellite radio, navigation, and MP3 compatibility.

A combination of four- and five-star ratings was granted by NHTSA, and IIHS awarded the Corolla a Top Safety Pick rating. The average price paid is about $8,000 to $10,000.

The 2010 model added standard traction control as well as electronic stability control. The car’s rating dropped due to an average reliability rating.

• Read the 2009 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2009 Toyota Corolla Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

2011, 2012, and 2013 Corolla

The 2011 model year brought a refreshed exterior. The 2.4-liter engine was once again eliminated. Models were now available in three trims: L, LE, and S. Ratings in all categories increased once again, and pricing fell to around $9,000 to $11,000. This is not far off from the pricing of the lower-scoring and lower-ranking 2010 model, making 2011 the better option. It can be found in our 2011 affordable small cars rankings.

The 2012 and 2013 Corollas had no notable changes from the 2011 refresh aside from the addition of more standard features, including upgraded audio with CD, Bluetooth, power side mirrors, power windows and locks, and four-speaker audio on the 2012. The 2013 model year added standard keyless entry, an adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, an auxiliary jack, and a trip computer. Safety and reliability scores increased to bring both models into the top ten for their model year in affordable small cars. Overall scores and rankings are lower for the 2013 model, and the cost is substantially higher than the 2012, making the 2012 Corolla a better buying choice. The average price paid is $10,897 to $12,379.

• Read the 2011 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2011 Toyota Corolla Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

2014 Corolla

Perhaps the most significant Toyota Corolla redesign in years came with the 2014 model. As may be expected, however, the 132-horsepower 1.8-liter engine is still under the hood. Fuel efficiency is increased substantially due to the Corolla’s newly designed continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The new model looks very different, with a more aerodynamic profile and an aggressive grille. The front end is elongated and the frame widened. Five additional inches of passenger room come as a result. The cabin has been transformed to a more upscale look and feel, with soft fabrics and an easy-to-use infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touch screen.

Safety and reliability scores remain high as usual, although the small overlap front crash test results provided by IIHS rate the Corolla as Marginal. Of all Corolla models mentioned above, the 2014 received our best rankings, tying at No. 3 in 2014 affordable small cars.

• Read the 2014 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2014 Toyota Corolla Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings

2015 Corolla

The 2015 Toyota Corolla is very much a complete carryover from the redesigned 2014 model. Only minor detail adjustments are present. A new LE Premium trim package is available. The newness of the vehicle puts it in a price range of about $17,000 to $23,000. This makes the 2014 seem like a much better option, with prices sitting under $16,000 for essentially the same car.

For buyers looking for a compact-but-comfortable sedan based on simple practicality with nearly unmatched reliability, a used Toyota Corolla is a true winner. As a recap, the 2007 and 2008 models are close enough to be equally wise purchases, with scores only minimally affected by changes in EPA and crash-testing procedures. In the Corolla’s 10th gen, the 2009, 2012, and 2013 models are the wisest bets. Overall, the 2009, 2012, and 2014 models prove to be the top choices when it comes to a used Toyota Corolla.

• Read the 2015 Toyota Corolla Full Review
• See 2015 Toyota Corolla Photos
• See Compact Cars Rankings