6 Reasons Why The Toyota Corolla Is Still A Trust-Worthy Buy Today

It's remarkable to think Toyota's Corolla sedan nameplate has been a staple for nearly six decades across 12 generations to become a global best-seller with over 50 million units sold.

Part of the core line-up for Japanese automaker Toyota, it’s amazing to think that the Corolla nameplate has been around for nearly six decades. Having first debuted way back in 1966, the Corolla has spanned 12 generations since to become the world’s best-selling nameplate in 2021 with over 50 million units sold.

Key to this success are several factors that drive both the Corolla’s popularity and desirability, even in this refreshed 12th-gen form on sale today. Having sampled it not too long ago, here are SIX reasons why the Corolla remains a top choice from the C-segment sedan market space today, and why you should seriously consider it…

One key driver to the Corolla's desirability is its 'understated' styling. This is evident with its exterior, which features a sleek overall stance.

1. It Has ‘Understated’ Styling

Though a very subjective area to gauge, the latest iteration of the Corolla (chassis code: E210) does rock an aesthetic that merges understated luxe with functional form. The result is a car that’s arguably far from ‘anonymous’, especially versus its peers that boast overly sharp styling.

Arguably, the Corolla’s subtle, understated and contemporary minimalist approach to style inside and out ought to stand the test of time well – in other words, it should age gracefully. Moreover, its ability to blend in just anywhere makes it perfect for those who prefer making quiet arrivals.

Overall, we’re certain you’d be hard pressed in finding anyone who’d disagree with the way Toyota styled its quintessential compact three-box sedan offering. We’ll even argue that the same sentiment applies to how Toyota furnished and equipped the Corolla too…

Another key aspect driving the Corolla's total package is the level of premium features, convenient amenities, as well as advanced safety features that comes as standard equipment.

2. It’s Loaded With Plenty Of Kit And Amenities

Looks aside, the Corolla’s desirability also arguably stems from the level of convenient kit and amenities it’s laced with. You could say that this is one trait that has been a ‘constant’ across all generations of the Corolla, and this latest twelfth-gen model is no exception to which.

Besides core luxuries like keyless entry and ignition, powered driver seat adjustment, and leather seat and steering upholstery, contemporary conveniences such as a wireless smartphone charging pad, and 10-inch central infotainment display boasting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and more, are also accounted for here.

Naturally, the presence of Toyota’s 360-T safety suite bolsters the Corolla’s package further. This also brings a slew of advanced driving assistance (ADAS) features that enable semi-autonomous driving abilities to the Corolla, thus making it an even more capable long-distance driver too. However, this perk arguably pales in contrast to the next fact...

The combination of the 2ZR-FE 1.8-litre -4-cyl petrol mill and 7-speed CVT automatic has spanned across three generations of the Corolla sedan, proving to be a robust and reliable paring that rarely goes wrong.

3. It’s Arguably More Reliable Than Its Peers

On this note, one need not look beyond the fact that Toyota elected to retain its 2ZR-FE 1.8-litre naturally aspirated 4-cyl petrol powerplant. This mill has powered the Corolla nameplate for three generations now, and it has proven to be capable of withstanding the test of time particularly well.

In its current form, the mill healthily puts out 139 PS and 172 NM, which are more than sufficient when tasked to propel the Corolla’s claimed 1,365 KG heft about. More importantly, this is a far simpler mill versus rivalling turbocharged and direct-injected units, promising cost-effective maintenance over the long term too.

The same can be said about the CVT-type automatic transmission that Toyota paired this mill with, which also transcends across three generations of the Corolla. Widely touted as a smooth operator, said transmission is also highly versatile and, thanks to clever calibration, it’s also a key contributor to the next fact…

Respectable fuel efficiency is easily attained thanks to the updated new 12.3-inch digital instrument display's neat eco-assist indicator seen in the left-side dial.

4. It’s Also Respectably Efficient

Indeed, this is one trait expected of any Toyota offering – it arguably now stands as one of several evergreen pillars besides robust reliability. This is also a key factor as to why the Corolla’s powertrain setup remains largely unchanged across three generations.

In our short weekend test where we subjected the Corolla through mixed urban and highway driving regimes, we yielded an average fuel economy rate of 6.8 litres/100 KM. Clearly, with a little more testing time to adept ourselves, we’re certain the Corolla could effortlessly yield averages as low as 4.5 litres/100 KM.

Obviously, the Corolla’s efficiency rating greatly depends on how one drives it, but the good news here is that it is one car that’s arguably easy to hypermile with thanks to the interactive eco-assist indicators available in the updated new and now fully digital 12.3-inch instrument bin. 

Key ADAS features present include a Dynamic Radar Curise Control (DRCC) suite, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Pre-Collision System (PCS) - all of which form the Toyota 360-T safety suite primed as standard in the Corolla.

5.  It’s Still One of The Safest In Class

Should facts #2, #3 and #4 not suffice, then the fact that the Corolla arguably stands as one of the safest in class ought to be a convincing draw. As mentioned prior, the Corolla is laden with a slew of ADAS features enabling semi-autonomous driving abilities.

Included are features like Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), as well as Pre-Collision System (PCS). We reckon the added presence of forward and rear digital video recorders (DVRs), 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), as well as a Tyre Pressure Warning System, all add to the Corolla’s credentials further.

Moreover, having all these advanced systems present on top of basics that include seven airbags lining the cabin, ISOFIX childseat anchors, plus a chassis brimmed with anti-lock brakes (ABS), plus traction (TCS) and vehicle stability control (VSC), it all adds further to the notion of the Corolla being a truly ‘Safe Bet.’

6. It’s One of The Few That Holds Strong Resale Value

Given its respectable style and level of kit, robust and cost-effective reliability, not to mention the guaranteed levels of safety delivered, perhaps this last fact comes not as a surprise for many. In fact, this is one understated virtue most Toyota offerings like the Corolla are imbued with.

Given what it delivers as a total package, strong resale value offerings like the Corolla holds in the used market make it quite a worthy ‘investment’ so to speak. Another way to look at this is the fact that Corolla continues to yield favourable returns even for those trading out and up from one.

Simply put, unless it also comes with a Toyota badge with the associated benefits detailed, few other segment rivals steadily hold their used market values as this Corolla would.