| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Great styling | Base engine is not exciting | Entune audio system |
Useable list of standard features | Cargo space must be improved | S Special edition |
Capable ride and handling | Design silhouette is getting dated |
$17,900
price132 hp @ 6000 rpm
horsepower128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
torque4-Speed Automatic
transmission1.8L 4cyl FWD 4A
engine-
basic warrantyThe 2016 Toyota Corolla sedan has been one of the most popular picks in the compact sedan line-up. With major automotive giants ending their sedan line-ups and shifting their focus to SUVs, the future does look bleak, and the compact sedan segment might harbor some of the last sedans that we might get. However, the Corolla still goes strong due to its utilitarian and reliable nature.
The base trim is rather well-equipped, even though it is generally one that does not get too much attention. However, the definite highlight of the line-up is the S trim which comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, firmer suspension tuning, rear disc brakes, sport instrumentation and trip computer, and more. For all these reasons, at the price point of just $19,365, the S is definitely our pick.
It comes with a 1.8L four-cylinder engine that produces two different states of tune, ranging from 132 hp to 140 hp. The 2016 version is largely unchanged from the 2015 version and is a very well-equipped car even in the base trim. For this year, the prices for Toyota Corolla start at an MSRP of $17,300, and it competes against the Nissan Sentra, Kia Forte, and the Honda Civic in the segment.
The Toyota Corolla sedan is offered in five trim levels, all five of which are reviewed here. It starts with the L trim level, which comes with the manual transmission and is pitched at a price point much lesser than any of its rivals. However, its features only include 15-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, adjustable steering wheel, power accessories, air-conditioning, six-way adjustable driver seat, 6.1-inch touchscreen, and so on. The complete distribution of features across the five trims is given in the table below.
|
Trim |
L |
LE |
LE Eco |
S |
Special Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$17,300 |
$18,735 |
$19,135 |
$19,365 |
$20,635 |
|
Key Features |
Tires - Front & Rear All-Season |
Tires - Front & Rear Performance |
Tires - Front & Rear All-Season |
Compact Spare Tire |
Tire Pressure Monitoring System |
|
Steel Wheels |
Wheel Covers |
Back-Up Camera |
Cruise Control |
Aluminum Wheels |
|
|
Adjustable Steering Wheel |
Steering Wheel Controls |
Remote Trunk Release |
Keyless Entry |
Heated Mirrors |
|
|
Trip Computer |
Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers |
Satellite Radio |
Vehicle Anti-Theft System |
Rear Spoiler |
|
|
|
Intermittent Wipers |
Power Door Locks |
Wireless Cell Phone Hookup |
Pass-Through Rear Seat |
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel |
|
|
Power Mirrors |
Bucket Seats |
|
|
|
|
|
Driver Vanity Mirror |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auxiliary Audio Input |
|
|
|
|
Which trim should you buy?
The base trim is rather well-equipped, even though it is generally one that does not get too much attention. However, the definite highlight of the line-up is the S trim which comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, firmer suspension tuning, rear disc brakes, sport instrumentation and trip computer, and more. For all these reasons, at the price point of just $19,365, the S is definitely our pick.
Powering the Toyota Corolla sedan is a 1.8L Inline four-cylinder engine that generates 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. On the LE Eco trim level, however, it generates 140 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque while also being a little more efficient. Even though this should be good enough for most people in a car that is as light as the Corolla sedan, some people do have complaints about the power.
The transmission choices include a six-speed manual and a CVT automatic transmission. There is also a four-speed automatic available as an option. When it comes to acceleration figures, the base engine has the lethargic 8.5 seconds 0 to 60 mph time as well as a 16.6-second quarter-mile time. This does not improve much no matter what transmission you get.
|
Model |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
2016 Honda Civic |
2016 Nissan Sentra |
2016 Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$17,300 |
$18,640 |
$16,780 |
$15,990 |
|
Engine |
1.8L inline four-cylinder |
2.0L inline four-cylinder |
1.8L inline four-cylinder |
1.8L inline four-cylinder |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
6-speed Manual |
6-speed Manual |
6-speed Manual |
6-speed Manual |
|
Power |
132hp@6000rpm |
158hp@6500rpm |
130hp@6000rpm |
145 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
|
Torque |
128lb-ft@4400rpm |
138lb-ft@4200rpm |
128lb-ft@3600rpm |
130 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm |
|
0-60 mph (seconds) |
8.5 |
7.8 |
10.0 |
9.5 |
|
Quarter-mile (mph) |
16.6 |
15.9 |
17.9 |
16.3 |
|
Top Speed (mph) |
120 |
125 |
124 |
129 |
One can see that the Kia and the Nissan Sentra definitely undercut the prices of the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla, and that is very important in the segment. However, when you look at the performance of all the cars, you begin to understand that Honda and Toyota provide much more well-rounded options. The Honda Civic is definitely the fastest car in the segment and also the most fun to drive.
It is hard to escape the fact that small light cars with small engines are very fuel-efficient. The uninspiring motor inside the Toyota Corolla returns 27 MPG in the city, 14 MPG on the highway, and 31 MPG combined. The fuel tank capacity is 12.4 gallons, which is a bit small even in this class, however, it is good enough for a range of 334 miles in the city and 496 miles on the highway.
|
Model |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
2016 Honda Civic |
2016 Nissan Sentra |
2016 Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) (mpg) |
27 |
29 |
28 |
25 |
|
MPG (Highway) (mpg) |
40 |
41 |
37 |
37 |
|
MPG (Combined) (mpg) |
31 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
|
Fuel Capacity (gallon) |
12.4 |
13.2 |
13.2 |
13.2 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) |
334.8/496/384.1 |
382.8/541.2/422.4 |
369.6/488.4/409.2 |
330/488.4/396 |
When it comes to fuel efficiency, we can see that the Honda Civic is the most impressive as it delivers 29 MPG in the city, 41 MPG on the highway, and 32 MPG combined, which is slightly better than the Toyota Corolla. It also has a bigger fuel tank, and hence, offers a class-leading range. However, one can see that the Kia Forte and Nissan Sentra also offer the same level of competitiveness here.
The interior of the 2016 Corolla is the most stylish one that has ever appeared in the car. The controls are very easy to use and the material quality is also definitely okay. There are few hard plastics, but the material quality is generally very nice and the aesthetic inside the cabin is pleasant. It also performs decently in terms of cargo capacity with 13 cu-ft of storage. It also offers excellent features right from the base trim level. The car is also very pleasant for people with a larger frame due to the space inside.
|
Model |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
2016 Honda Civic |
2016 Nissan Sentra |
2016 Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.3/54.8/42.3 |
39.3/57.0/42.3 |
39.4/54.7/42.5 |
39.1/56.1/42.2 |
|
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.1/54.8/41.4 |
37.1/55.0/37.4 |
36.7/53.9/37.4 |
37.3/54.9/35.9 |
|
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
13.0 |
15.1 |
15.1 |
14.9 |
The interior space of all the cars in this category is pretty much on par, but the Corolla is the one with the most spacious rear legroom. However, all the other cars in this category can seat five people with ease, and the interior design is also very nice in all of them. When comparing the cargo capacity, both Honda and Nissan stand at the very top with 15.1 cubic feet of space. Some standard interior features include:
The Toyota Corolla has a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface but does not come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. It is nice and well-integrated into the dashboard and comes with a decent number of features. The optional features list is also pleasantly populated with excellent options. There is the Entune app which integrates smartphone-connected services as well as social media. Some features of the infotainment system include:
In terms of looks, the Corolla is not a car that is designed to look dramatic or very pleasant. However, it has to suit the tastes of many people and hence has very non-controversial styling. This is not a bad thing as the car does manage to look fairly modern and neat overall. It has LED headlights right from the base trim and looks a bit premium because of that.
|
Model |
2016 Toyota Corolla |
2016 Honda Civic |
2016 Nissan Sentra |
2016 Kia Forte |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
2800 |
2751 |
2848 |
2804 |
|
Length (in.) |
182.6 |
182.3 |
182.1 |
179.5 |
|
Width (in.) |
69.6 |
70.8 |
69.3 |
70.1 |
|
Height (in.) |
57.3 |
55.7 |
58.9 |
56.3 |
|
Ground clearance (in.) |
5.3 |
6.1 |
6.0 |
5.3 |
|
Wheelbase (in.) |
106.3 |
106.3 |
106.3 |
106.3 |
Both in terms of weight as well as size, all these cars are exactly on par with each other. With the wheelbase of the Corolla being extended for the current generation, all the sedans have the exact same wheelbase as well at 106.3 inches. The Corolla offers 5.3 inches of ground clearance, which is on par with the Kia and is the lowest in the segment. Some standout exterior features include:
The 2016 version of the Toyota Corolla has good ratings by the IIHS, which is a testament to how safe the car is. It has also earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, which is the governmental organization responsible for crash testing. We are very much impressed with the car offering lots of safety features like airbags, rearview camera, whiplash protection, and so on. Some of the standout safety features include:
The 2016 Toyota Corolla sedan is a great buy for the price it is offered at. It has slightly uninspiring styling and performance but is a great car for mundane everyday situations. It is also an extremely reliable car and one that is available with a lot of aftermarket support and serviceability. Overall it is not a car you can ever go wrong with and hence makes for a good buy.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #4 | 8.5 sec | 16.7 sec | 115 mph | |||
2016 Acura ILX Ranked #1 | 7.8 sec | 15.5 sec | 114 mph | |||
2016 Ford Focus Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.5 sec | 130 mph | |||
2016 Mazda 3 Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.4 sec | 130 mph | |||
2016 Buick Verano Ranked #2 | 8.2 sec | 16.3 sec | 118 mph | |||
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #3 | 8.4 sec | 16.7 sec | - |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 369.6/488.4 mi. | |||
2016 Mazda 3 Ranked #1 | 29 mpg | 41 mpg | 33 mpg | 13.2 gal. | 382.8/541.2 mi. | |||
2016 Honda Civic Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 40 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.4 gal. | 334.8/496 mi. | |||
2016 Hyundai Accent Ranked #2 | 26 mpg | 38 mpg | 31 mpg | 11.4 gal. | 307.8/433.2 mi. | |||
2016 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.8 gal. | 345.6/473.6 mi. | |||
2016 Ford Fiesta Ranked #2 | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 31 mpg | 12.4 gal. | 334.8/434 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #3 | 182.6 in. | 69.9 in. | 57.3 in. | 5.5 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2016 Buick Verano Ranked #1 | 183.9 in. | 71.4 in. | 58.1 in. | 9 in. | 105.7 in. | |||
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #1 | 183.9 in. | 72 in. | 57.7 in. | 4 in. | 106.4 in. | |||
2016 Volkswagen Jetta Ranked #2 | 183.3 in. | 70 in. | 57.2 in. | 5.2 in. | 104.4 in. | |||
2016 Honda Civic Ranked #4 | 182.3 in. | 70.8 in. | 55.7 in. | 6 in. | 106.3 in. | |||
2016 Nissan Sentra Ranked #5 | 182.1 in. | 69.3 in. | 58.9 in. | 6.4 in. | 106.3 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #5 | 13 cu.ft. | 97.5 cu.ft. | 67 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Ranked #1 | 15 cu.ft. | 94.6 cu.ft. | 237.8 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Hyundai Elantra Ranked #2 | 14.8 cu.ft. | 95.6 cu.ft. | 128.1 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Ford Focus Ranked #3 | 13.2 cu.ft. | 90.7 cu.ft. | 487.3 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #3 | 13.1 cu.ft. | 97.2 cu.ft. | 33.5 cu.ft. | |||
2016 Ford Fiesta Ranked #3 | 12.8 cu.ft. | 85.1 cu.ft. | 46.2 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #1 | 67 cu.ft. | 13 cu.ft. | 67 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Subaru Impreza Ranked #2 | 52.4 cu.ft. | 12 cu.ft. | 52.4 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #3 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 13.1 cu.ft. | 33.5 cu.ft. | 73 ft. | |||
2016 Hyundai Accent Ranked #4 | 13.7 cu.ft. | 13.7 cu.ft. | 13.7 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Nissan Sentra Ranked #5 | 67.2 cu.ft. | 15.1 cu.ft. | 67.2 cu.ft. | - | |||
2016 Ford Focus Ranked #6 | 83.1 cu.ft. | 13.2 cu.ft. | 487.3 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 Toyota Corolla Ranked #2 | - | - | 2800 lbs. | |||
2016 Dodge Dart Ranked #1 | 1000 lbs. | - | 3122 lbs. | |||
2016 Buick Verano Ranked #1 | 1000 lbs. | - | 3300 lbs. | |||
2016 Subaru Impreza Ranked #2 | - | - | 2955 lbs. | - | ||
2016 Honda Civic Ranked #2 | - | 986 lbs. | 2742 lbs. | |||
2016 Hyundai Accent Ranked #2 | - | 1069 lbs. | 2480 lbs. |
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Posted On: July 22, 2024
I bought my Toyota used at 156,000 miles. I usually drove Jeep's and Buick's before but this car convinced me to be Toyota only. My little girl has never left me stranded and handled a snow storm better than a pickup truck. I love how high her safety rating is too. 5 stars on the driver side and 4.5 stars on the passenger side. She gets amazing gas mileage (about 35mpg) which is helpful because I...
