2021 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is Toyota's long-running compact sedan and one of the most familiar cars on American roads. Positioned below the midsize Camry in Toyota's lineup, it competes with the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda3. The model years covered here — 1997 through 2026 — span six generations, from the simple, economy-focused sedans of the late 1990s to today's TNGA-platform car with an available hybrid powertrain and a full suite of standard driver-assistance features.

The Corolla's reputation rests on reliability, low running costs, and strong resale value rather than driving excitement, though the current generation is more polished and engaging than its predecessors. It appeals to first-time buyers, commuters, students, and small households that want dependable, affordable transportation, and its durability makes older model years a staple of the used-car market. Standard active-safety equipment since the 2017 model year and hybrid availability since 2020 have broadened its appeal further.

The 2021 model: Built on Toyota's TNGA platform, the twelfth-generation sedan brought noticeably better ride and handling, an available 169-hp 2.0-liter engine, and the first hybrid Corolla sedan sold in the US. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard from launch. A 2023 refresh updated the infotainment system and added available all-wheel drive to the hybrid.