Used Toyota Corolla cars for sale

Toyota Corolla buying guide

About the Toyota Corolla

Today’s Corollas are noticeably more stylish than their more understated predecessors, but they still come with the reassurance of the brand's reputation for reliability. The cabin isn't as flashy as some rivals, but it's easy to use and includes all the latest on-board tech to keep you entertained on the road. Its stand-out feature, however, are the smooth, responsive hybrid engines that make the car nearly effortless to drive while returning excellent urban fuel-economy figures.

What versions of the Toyota Corolla are there?

In the UK, the Corolla is available in three body styles. By far the most common are the five-door hatchback and the five-door Touring Sports estate version, with the latter being longer with a bigger boot. There's also a four-door Corolla saloon, but these are rare compared to the hatchback and the estate.

Entry-level Corollas come in Icon trim, although this is still fairly generous with standard equipment. Icon Tech gets, well… a bit more tech, while Design trim adds mainly styling improvements. There's also Toyota's racier GR Sport trim or the range-topping Excel models, which include all the bells and whistles. You might also spot the occasional Trek version with SUV-inspired styling features and similar equipment levels to Design cars.

What features does the Toyota Corolla have?

Toyota has worked hard to bring its interior game up to compete with its closest rivals. While it’s still not quite as stylish as the best in class, the Corolla’s cabin is neatly laid out and feels well constructed. Material quality is good and should stand up to the rigours of family life, although we’d suggest getting one of the models with contrast-colour interior details as cars with black seats and black trim can feel a bit gloomy.

Toyota’s infotainment system includes all the features you’d expect, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard across the range in recent years. It’s not quite as intuitive or responsive as the best-in-class systems from the likes of Audi, Mercedes or BMW, but neither is it as clunky as those found in competing Honda models.

The Corolla is a generally practical choice with enough room for four adults to sit comfortably – five will be able to squeeze in for shorter journeys but they’ll likely be complaining about bumping elbows once you arrive. Boot space is about average for the class, with the hatchback version able to fit in one large suitcase and a couple of cabin bags at a push. Touring Sports estate versions are a better choice if you need to carry kids’ clobber or dogs more regularly.

Toyota Corolla engine range explained

Corollas get a choice of just two hybrid petrol engines. Both come with an automatic gearbox as standard, which matches the car’s relaxed attitude on the road.

Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid

Entry-level Corolla models are powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine working in concert with an electric motor and battery. Total system power stands at 122hp – enough for a 10.9-second 0-62mph time. This engine option delivers enough performance that the car doesn’t feel sluggish, but it can feel a little strained at motorway overtaking speeds. Drive with a gentle right foot and average efficiency can stretch as high as 78mpg.

Toyota Corolla 2.0 VVT-i Hybrid

The only other engine option for Corolla models is the 2.0-litre petrol hybrid. The larger engine is also joined by a larger electric motor and battery, which lifts total system power to 184hp. This drops the 0-62mph time to 7.9 seconds, making 2.0-litre versions a better choice for drivers who enjoy having a little performance under their foot. Despite the extra oomph, 2.0-litre versions can still average more than 72mpg if you drive carefully.

How safe is the Toyota Corolla?

The Corolla was tested by Euro NCAP in 2019, where it earned a solid five-star rating. Adult-occupant safety earned an impressive 95% rating, with 84% for child occupants and 86% for pedestrians. All versions include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist as standard. The previous-generation Corolla also earned a five-star rating, although that was in 2013 when the tests were a little less stringent.

Is the Toyota Corolla a good car?

To an extent, it doesn't matter what we think – the Corolla is the world's best-selling car, so the people have already spoken. It's good, then, that it's actually a great little car, thanks to its solid build quality, easy usability and superb hybrid engines. Hatchback models don't have the largest boots in their class, however, so parents might want to consider the Corolla Touring Sports estate, which has a much larger boot. Read our full Toyota Corolla review to find out what this car's like to live with.