10 Things You Need to Know About the 2016 Toyota Corolla

2016 Toyota Corolla ・ Photo by Toyota

Following two straight years as the top-selling compact in the country, Toyota’s latest entry in the segment—now represented by the 2016 Toyota Corolla—will face some serious challenges if it wants to keep that streak alive. After all, fuel prices remain relatively low, even as the level of competition among mainstream compacts continues to rise. That said, Autobytel experts can think of at least 10 reasons that Corolla could maintain its momentum.

1) The 2016 Toyota Corolla Special Edition is a cool-looking compact.

Long on style—but destined to be in short supply at dealerships—the 2016 Toyota Corolla Special Edition helps mark half a century of global sales for what’s become the best-selling automotive nameplate in the world. The golden anniversary package builds on the Corolla S Plus model, which is already enhanced by an athletically oriented upgrade inside and out, and then rides on 17-inch gloss-black wheels with an exclusive Special Edition design. A black cabin, distinguished by mixed-media seats and red accents, creates a distinct interior theme for the car, while the exterior is highlighted by a choice of three eye-catching colors: Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl and Super White. But customers who want one should be aware that, out of the tens of millions of Corolla sold since its Japanese debut in 1966, only 8,000 of them will get the Special Edition treatment for the U.S. market.

Photo by Megan Green

2) The 2016 Toyota Corolla LE Eco tops 40 mpg.

Toyota is well-known for its fuel-efficient hybrid technologies, yet the automaker also can squeeze an impressive number of miles per gallon from its gas-only powertrains. For example, the 2016 Toyota Corolla LE Eco can achieve EPA grades of up to 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway/35 mpg combined, thanks to a variety of vehicle modifications. Some pull double duty, too, like the Eco model’s standard rear spoiler and available alloy wheels, both of which reduce aerodynamic drag even as they increase the Corolla’s style factor. And as an added bonus of deploying Toyota’s Valvematic variable valve-timing tech for efficiency, the Eco model packs a more powerful punch than standard models, with 8 more horsepower and a total of 140. Engineers also fine-tuned Corolla Eco fuel economy in ways you can’t see, though, using underbody aero panels, low rolling-resistance tires and a dedicated Eco driving mode.

Photo by Toyota Media

3) The 2016 Toyota Corolla features 5-Star safety.

The 2016 Toyota Corolla comes with stellar occupant-protection benefits, from the automaker’s Star Safety System to a 5-Star Overall Safety Score from NHTSA. The former bundles top safety basics like vehicle stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and brake-assistance, and the latter includes 5-star scores for both frontal- and side-crash protection along with a 4-star grade for rollover roof strength. The Corolla further comes standard with eight standard airbags, a steering wheel mounted on a collapsible, energy-absorbing column, anti-lock brakes, hill-start assistance and front seats specifically designed to lessen potential whiplash injuries; in the back, the outboard seats cater to the kids with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) hardware and child-resistant locks. Now, the Corolla is a little light on high-tech driver-assistance measures, although it does furnish a rearview camera setup with guidelines for parking assistance.

4) The 2016 Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car ever.

Okay, technically, it’s not the 2016 Toyota Corolla that holds that title of world’s No. 1-selling automobile, it’s the Corolla nameplate as a whole. On the other hand, with more than 40 million served since its debut, there’s no arguing about the numbers themselves, nor about the fact that the Corolla continues to gain ground in today’s marketplace. That’s especially true here in the United States, where Toyota’s compact just dialled up the volume by another 7 percent to set an all-time annual sales record in 2015. Moreover, not only did the Corolla’s sales total top the compact segment last year—and for the second year in a row—it also represented more deliveries than for any other car of any size in this country except one: the Toyota Camry. Oh, and to be 100 percent clear, the Corolla represents the best-selling vehicle of all-time, even taking into account pickup trucks.

5) The compact 2016 Toyota Corolla has a midsize cabin.

When it comes to size, the 2016 Toyota Corolla suffers from a bit of an identity crisis—much to the benefit of customers. Consider: The Corolla’s nimble exterior proportions and 182.6-inch length place it firmly in the compact camp, but because of the car’s interior volume, the car actually qualifies as a midsize vehicle according to the EPA. Toyota designers also stretched the boundaries of compact rear-seat legroom yet further, since there’s more of it in the Corolla than in some full-size sedans. Thus, the tale of the tape for the 2016 Corolla shows 97.5 cubic feet of cabin space, a 13-cubic-foot trunk and 41.4 inches of rear legroom; to put that latter mark into context, the full-size Ford sedan tops out with 38.1 inches of legroom for rear passengers. (Nitpickers please note: The Corolla S is lengthened to 183.1 inches by its aero enhancements.)

Photo by Toyota Media

6) The 2016 Toyota Corolla S is a compact sport sedan.

No, there’s no extra power on tap with the 2016 Toyota Corolla S, but neither is this an appearance-only effort. Instead, engineers retuned the standard suspension with hotter handling in mind, relying on model-exclusive springs, dampers and bushings for sharper driving dynamics. The cockpit complements that new componentry with sport-style bolstered seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and two enthusiast-friendly transmissions are available. The standard setup, of course, is a six-speed manual for maximum driver control, but the optional CVT also gets an athletically minded makeover. More to the point, it gets paddle shifters and provides manual-style virtual gear changes, as well as a dedicated “Sport” mode that both readjusts “shift” points and tightens steering feel. There are plenty of new visual cues, too, ranging from fog lights and a piano-black grille up front to a spoiler and chrome-tipped tail pipe at the rear—with an S-only Blue Crush Metallic exterior finish available to seal the deal.

Photo by Toyota

7) The 2016 Toyota Corolla makes for a high-value purchase proposition.

With the 2016 Toyota Corolla, you get a lot for your money without having to spend a lot of money in the first place. Indeed, the starting price for the Corolla L is an affordable $17,230, which covers most every modern-day convenience—and then some. So all 2016 Corollas provide air conditioning, complete with a filter for dust and pollen, and the basic infotainment setup boasts Toyota’s Entune technology. As a result, all drivers enjoy a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen, six audio speakers, steering-wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth technology for hands-free calling and audio streaming, Siri Eyes Free functionality, and iPod-compatible USB connectivity. The current Corolla also stands out from the compact crowd as the only entry with standard LED headlights—and they’re set off by also-standard daytime running lamps. At the other end of the MSRP spectrum, the Special Edition, despite its wealth of premium content, comes in at $20,635.

Photo by Toyota

8) The 2016 Toyota Corolla offers complimentary routine maintenance.

Just like some of the industry’s most luxurious flagship sedans, the humble 2016 Toyota Corolla offers a standard complimentary routine-maintenance program, and in the case of ToyotaCare, that service is backed by also-standard 24-hour roadside assistance. For owners, that means Toyota-trained technicians will handle oil and oil filter changes, tire rotations, fluid checks and more, all while sending friendly reminders to help owners stay on schedule. If drivers need assistance with battery jumps, lockouts, tire service or towing, ToyotaCare takes care of that as well, and the program even ensures fuel delivery if you run out of gas. In terms of the length of the coverage, Toyota’s complimentary maintenance service is for two years/25,000 miles, with roadside assistance available for the same amount of time regardless of mileage.

Photo by Toyota Media

9) There’s a surprising panoply of premium cues offered by the 2016 Toyota Corolla.

Yes, the tremendous popularity of the 2016 Toyota Corolla is primarily a function of its value and affordability. Yet that didn’t stop the company from supplying the car with its own fair share of lux conveniences, and they go far beyond standard premium touches like LED headlights and Entune infotainment tech. For instance, the Corolla’s multimedia menu can be expanded with voice recognition, integrated navigation and Toyota’s App Suite resource, furnishing owners with sophisticated connectivity capability that can be matched with higher levels of comfort throughout the cabin. The driver naturally does best in that regard, however, as the pilot’s seat can provide eight-way power adjustability to go with the front row’s available heating functionality and optional SofTex upholstery—which blends the feel of leather with real-world stain resistance. Topping it off: an available powered moonroof.

10) Drivers can choose from a trio of transmissions.

Different drivers appreciate different driving experiences, so the 2016 Toyota Corolla covers all the bases with the three most popular transmission types. The standard cog-swapper is a four-speed automatic that, despite its obvious old-school roots, at least was upgraded for the current Corolla generation that launched in 2014. The favorite for those who prefer full DIY shifting is the six-speed manual, though folks should be aware that that’s offered solely for the sportier Corolla S model. Finally, for 21st-century transmission performance, Toyota touts a continuously variable transmission that was engineered to combine the driving feel of a traditional automatic, right down to seven clearly noticeable “shift” points, with the efficiency gains of a CVT. Which explains why it’s the right choice for all models but the entry version, including the 42-mpg Corolla LE Eco.