2018 Toyota Corolla Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Anyone shopping for a new compact car must take a serious look at the 2018 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla has long been one of the most popular vehicles in its class. Along with Toyota's larger Camry, the Corolla is one of the most commonly sighted vehicles on the road. This is due to the low price point and excellent reliability of the vehicle.

What's New For 2018

There aren't a lot of changes to the 2018 Toyota Corolla. As the saying goes, "don't fix what's not broken." This seems to be the approach Toyota is taking for its popular compact car. There are a few more options for the interior styling and upholstery. The higher-end models now offer leather covers for your steering wheel. Other than those minor features, there are no major changes.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Toyota Corolla – The Pros

1. Very Affordable Price in its Class

The price point of the Corolla is one of the reasons for its continuing popularity. If you're looking for cheap and reliable transportation, the Corolla is a great choice. Among its many competitors, it is on the low end of the cost spectrum.

2. One of the Most Reliable Cars Available

All Toyota models have good track records when it comes to longevity and reliability. The Corolla is no different in this respect. Toyota offers a good warranty in case anything should happen to your car.

While there are no long-term stats on such a new model, the Corolla is consistently one of the top reliable cars on the road. This is evidenced by how many older models you can see during any commute. The 2017 model received 5/5 stars and was named among the best for reliability by J.D. Power and Associates.

3. Excellent Standard Safety Features

The 2019 Toyota Corolla is a very basic vehicle. It is designed to be simple and to get you from point A to point B. It does, however, include a ton of nice safety features as standard on all models.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control makes sure your car keeps a proper distance while using a preset speed on the highway. Pedestrian detection sensors and Lane-Departure alerts help to prevent accidents. Seats were designed to prevent whiplash and eight airbags are included in every model.

4. Excellent Safety Record

When it comes to safety track-records, the Corolla always fairs well. It is always ranked highly in crash tests performed by groups such as IIHS. The 2017 model was rated as Good to Superior in every category.

5. Roomy Back Seats

The entire interior of the 2018 Toyota Corolla is spacious. The cockpit offers plenty of leg and head room. The rear seats especially shine in this area. If you plan to commute with a lot of passengers, the Corolla can get them there in comfort.

6. Decent Fuel Economy

The 2018 Toyota Corolla gets pretty good gas mileage for its class. It's not the best fuel economy among compact cars, but it does get a respectable 30mpg in the city and 40mpg during highway driving. This is a nice rating for a car that is built to be a no-frills, daily driver.

7. Multiple Trim and Configuration Options

The 2018 Toyota Corolla comes with no less than six trim levels. There is something here
for just about any type of driver. The L level is as basic as it gets and offers good, cheap transportation. Le and XLE trims offer more features and the LE Eco offers the best fuel economy of the lot. SE and SE 6MT add more horses under the hood and even more luxury options.

8. Nice Console and Control Layout

All of the gauges are well placed and easy to see. The console layout is smart and intuitive. Toyota has put as many controls as possible directly on the steering wheel. Drivers can control the infotainment system, climate controls and more without removing their hands from the steering wheel.

9. A Lot of Color and Interior Trim Options

You can choose from six different wheel types in 15", 16", or 17" sizes. There are nine exterior color choices, with such staples as black, white and silver all available. Nine different fabric types and styles are also available so you can further customize your ride.

10. Available Paddle Shifters

Paddle shifters are optional for the 2018 Toyota Corolla. Now drivers can have the control of manually switching gears while maintaining their steering-wheel grip.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Toyota Corolla – The Cons

1. Mediocre Performance For its Class

The handling of a Corolla is decent, but won't win any awards. Acceleration can feel a bit sluggish at times. All models ship with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. The Eco model gets 140 HP, which is the best of the options available. Even this engine takes 9.2 or more seconds to reach 60 mph. If performance is a high priority, the Corolla may not be your best choice.

2. Cheap Quality For Interior Materials

This is a budget car and the plastics and other interior materials will constantly remind you of that fact. The interior is okay and everything is sturdy and fits well, but nothing looks better than the budget offering that it is.

3. Doesn't Stand Out on the Road

The next time you take a drive or sit in a parking lot, take note of how many Corollas you see around you. They're everywhere. If you want something unique, then the Corolla is not your best best. If you want to blend in on the road, then the Corolla can help you to do so.

How it Stacks up to the Competition

Three of the main competitors for the 2018 Toyota Corolla are the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota's own Camry. All three are reliable, good-quality vehicles. The Camry has most of the benefits of a Corolla, but comes in a bigger sedan with a bigger price. If you simply need more room, then the Camry is a good choice.

The Elantra is the cheapest of the choices, but lacks the safety features of the Corolla. The Elantra also has less interior space and fairs even worse when it comes to performance. The Honda Civic may be a great choice, as it features better performance and comparable fuel economy to the Corolla. It does cost a bit more, but the prices are generally close depending on the trim and options you choose.

Conclusion

The 2018 Toyota Corolla is one of the most common cars on the road for good reasons. The car is very affordable and extremely reliable. It may not be for everyone, but if you want basic, affordable transportation, you owe it to yourself to check out the Corolla.