Best Year Toyota Corolla

‍2018 Toyota Corolla

The 2018 Corolla is ranked among the top 20 most popular compact sedans. It has an excellent reliability rating and is equipped with numerous safety features.

Although several competitors offer advanced features and are more dazzling, Corolla has been a household name thanks to its reliability and economic costs.

With a spacious cabin and easy-to-understand and use features, the 2018 Corolla is an excellent choice for those looking for a compact car on a tight budget. It is safe, comfortable, and efficient.

The 2018 Toyota Corolla comes in six trims, L, LE Eco, XLE, SE, and XSE. There is also a hatchback version known as the Corolla iM, which comes in features equivalent to the SE trim.

Style

With hundreds of thousands running on the roads, the Toyota Corolla is not exactly a head-turner. But that is perfectly fine for Corolla owners because they have bought the Corolla for so many other reasons to save the dazzlement.

The exterior features angled headlights designed as an extension of the grille and give the vehicle a somewhat sporty appearance. The rear features wraparound tail lights, stylishly cut to provide an attractive look. The lights blend into the car and give it a nice appearance.

The Corolla is more of a utility vehicle than it is anything else. It rides high and cannot be termed sporty. But practically, this is good because the car comes with a ground clearance of an impressive 6.7 inches.

The L and LE trims come with steel wheels covered with plastic hubcaps. The higher SE and XSE trims feature alloy rims with improved bumpers from previous models.

Step inside, and you will find a nearly vertical dashboard, which displays all controls in an easy-to-use and logical style. The interior provides a good ambiance with blue lighting, elegant seating fabrics, and attractively contrasting stitching running along the dashboard's edges.

Overall, the interior is satisfactory, and although it does not impress too much, it is practical and does not give away anything that requires pointing out regarding ambiance.

Performance

The Corolla is not designed to give you thrills behind the wheel, and it should not be used that way. However, it offers confident and safe handling, with smooth and comfortable ride quality. It is relatively easy to get used to and performs adequately in the city and even on highways.

All 2018 Corollas use a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine, which you will find coupled with a Continuously variable transmission (CVT). There are a few six-speed manual Corolla SE versions, but they are a rare sight.

The 1.8-liter engine produces 132 hp and 128 lb.-ft of torque. The LE Eco features some tweaks to the engine and features a unique Variable Valve Timing system to make it more fuel-efficient. Surprisingly, the LE Eco adds around eight horsepower, and this engine produces 140 hp with 126 pound-feet of torque. On the Corolla iM, the same engine delivers 137 hp and 126 pound-feet of torque.

The car has adequate acceleration power on the road and does not feel too underpowered. The CVT is programmed to keep the engine at high rpm for long periods. But the car is equipped with good soundproofing, which keeps the engine's growl out of the cabin.

Quality and Comfort

The inside of the 2018 Corolla checks almost all the right boxes; it is spacious and comfortable for the front seat and rear-seat passengers.

All trim levels come equipped with a height-adjustable seat, which is power-operated on the higher trims. Both the driver and front passenger seat are well-bolstered and feel supportive. The rear seat offers good legroom and can seat three without difficulty. However, it might get a little uncomfortable with three adults in the backseat for longer trips.

The boot of the 2018 Corolla is average for its category. It features 13 cubic feet of space in the trunk, but it is easy to load and unload cargo with a wide opening.

The higher trims XLE and XSE feature leather upholstery and feel more high-grade than the lower trims. The higher trims also offer shiny plastic trims, which add to the aesthetics. But many believe that the materials used could be of better quality.

One quite off-putting feature is the number of blank switches on lower-end trims, which constantly reminds owners that they should have spent a little more.

Safety

One of the most convincing reasons to purchase the 2018 Toyota Corolla is the safety reputation and crash-test results it offers. A broad range of safety features are added to its protective body.

The car is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance system, which offers a lot of active safety features like

• Eight airbags in the cabin, which protect the occupants in the event of frontal or side impacts
• Traction control, which helps the car maintain traction on slippery roads by controlling unwanted wheels spin
• Stability Control, which increases the car's stability by monitoring the traction and steering response of the vehicle. If needed, this system can slow down the car to ensure that it remains under control
• The Anti Lock Braking System prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking. This system helps the car from entering uncontrolled skids
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution, which distributes the braking force in such a way that the correct amount of braking force reaches each wheel
• Smart Stop Technology is designed to stop the vehicle in case of a pedal error, where the driver accidentally presses the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal
• Brake assist, which reacts to stop the car quicker in case of emergency braking

In addition to these features, there are crash-prevention systems installed on the car, including:

• Frontal collision prevention system that can detect vehicles and pedestrians, coupled with automatic braking
• Adaptive cruise control on sedan models allows the car to control the speed relative to the vehicle ahead
• Lane departure warning system
• Automatic high beams
• LED headlights

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has awarded the 2018 Corolla with a "Good" score on the crashworthiness test. Thanks to the superior crash prevention system, the 2018 Corolla became a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The NHTSA awards the 2018 Corolla with five stars for overall safety. This rating comprises five-star ratings for all kinds of side impacts and a four-star rating for passenger side frontal crash and rollover.

Features

The 2018 Corolla is available in two body styles and around six trim levels. Even the base trim is not too basic, and although the top trim cannot be called a mini-Mercedes, it does not miss out on much.

The basic trim, L, is targeted at fleet operators. But it does not seem to be too under featured. It is equipped with:

• 6.1-inch infotainment system with aux input and USB slot
• Adaptive cruise control
• Rearview camera
• Power windows and door locks
• Air conditioning
• Bluetooth connectivity

A step ahead is the LE and LE Eco trim. This trim adds:

• Keyless entry
• Automatic climate control
• A 3.5-inch screen in the gauge cluster to show trip and other information
• A swing-out armrest for the back seat passengers

The LE Eco's engine is tuned to deliver better fuel economy due to its unique variable valve timing setup and low-resistance tires. This trim can save up to 2 mpg in fuel economy than other trims.

You might find a 2018 LE with optional features like a better infotainment system with navigation and a moonroof.

The Corolla SE trim features the following:

• Leather seats
• Steering wheel wrapped in a leather cover
• A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Alloy wheels

The XLE and XSE trims feature a proximity key, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver seat. There was also full navigation integrated on these trims.

While many complain of the car missing out on premium features like ventilated seats, advanced audio system, and larger moonroof, it is important to understand that rivals that offer these features come at a premium price.

If you are looking for a small car with luxurious features, you will have to shop for other options instead of the Corolla and be prepared to pay a higher price.

The hatchback iM is equipped with features similar to the SE sedan. There are no trims on the iM, and it only gives a choice between manual and CVT. The iM comes with a seven-inch touchscreen Pioneer audio system, power windows and door locks, rearview camera, and 17-inch alloys. It misses out on heated seats, moonroof, and keyless ignition.

Fuel Economy

The 2018 Toyota Corolla exhibits impressive numbers in the fuel economy, with the LE Eco trim leading the line. The LE Eco trim receives EPA ratings of 30 mpg for city driving, 40 mpg on highways, and 34 mpg combined.

The other trims of the sedan with CVT transmission have EPA ratings of 28 mpg for city driving, 36 mpg on highways, and 32 mpg combined. With the manual transmission, these numbers change to 27 mpg for  city, 35 mpg for highways, and 30 mpg combined.

The iM hatchback delivers 28 mpg for city driving, 36 mpg on highways, and 31 mpg combined with CVT transmission. Swap in the manual transmission and the numbers change to 27 mpg for city, 35 mpg for highways, and 30 mpg combined.

Price Range of 2018 Toyota Corolla

A 2018 Toyota Corolla can be had for anywhere between $13,000 and $18,000, with the average price falling at around $15,000. Many factors play a role in the price of a used car. These include mileage, location, trim level, optional features installed, and, most importantly, vehicle condition.

Running Costs of 2018 Toyota Corolla

If accounted for fuel, repairs, insurance, maintenance, and spares, an average Corolla will set you back by $4,200 per year. This figure translates to $21,000 for five years, which is average for this size car.

Reliability of 2018 Toyota Corolla

Based on J.D Power, the 2018 Corolla scores 4.5 out of 5 on the reliability scale. This score is above average and nearly among the best.