more about this model The 2017 Toyota Corolla is the current offering in a model legacy spanning more than 50 years. Continuously in production since 1966, the Corolla has evolved through 11 generations, sold 43 million units and claims the title of best-selling model of all time.
Despite its long-lived success, the Corolla's no-frills approach gets little love from car critics who are quick to dismiss this workhorse for its less-than-inspiring driving experience. But the latest offering to the lineage feels fresh and well-styled: certainly the nicest Corolla to date. The ride is smooth. The cabin is spacious, with upgraded upholstery and far more rear legroom than most compact sedan options. A 6.1-inch touchscreen and easy-to-use infotainment system are standard.
Toyota has updated the front-end design to feature new LED headlights. Upgraded safety technologies throughout are central to the 2017 Corolla's appeal. Toyota presents drivers with a full range of safety features as standard equipment on all 2017 Corolla trims, including a rearview camera, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high beams. The Toyota Safety Sense P system is a noteworthy safety offering of a caliber not frequently found standard on even luxury sedans.
The 2017 Toyota Corolla is available in seven trim levels: L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, SE 50th Anniversary edition and XSE. Starting with the base L trim, Toyota includes a lot of features standard for the money. The LE adds convenience features like keyless entry and heated mirrors. The LE Eco maximizes fuel efficiency while the XLE maximizes luxury upgrades. The SE and XSE levels are the "sporty" offering (though we use the term loosely) and the SE 50th Anniversary edition honors Corolla's legacy with specialized badging, wheels and upholstery.
EPA-estimated fuel economy ranges from 30 to 34 mpg combined. Automatic models with 17-inch wheels achieve 31 mpg combined (28 city/35 highway) while the Corolla LE Eco tops out the range with 34 mpg combined (30 city/40 highway).
The Corolla's adequate power and speed will work just fine for a highway commute but it accelerates slower than its competitors and will never wow with the gas pedal. Steering is sluggish and soft suspension swallows up road feel. If you really love to drive and you want a car that is responsive, then you'll find yourself agreeing with the critics: There are simply other fuel-friendly compact sedans out there that are more fun to drive.
However, like its predecessors, the 2017 Corolla does what it was designed to do and it does the integral things well. If you toss in the Corolla's long-standing reputation for good resale, then it is a strong contender in the compact sedan class. It may be a modest pick, but the Corolla's down-to-earth mix of fuel efficiency, interior space and competitive pricing have proven it a wise one over the years. If you're considering a 2017 Toyota Corolla, let Edmunds help find the perfect one for you.
2017 Toyota Corolla Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Toyota Corolla and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Corolla featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Toyota Corolla and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Corolla 3.7 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Corolla.
Vehicle
LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT)
Review
First, there is a lot of things right with this car. Fit and Finish are great, and there are no squeaks or rattles, and the price (with discounts) make it a better deal than a Honda. If everything else after that was just average I would be satisfied, BUT. The transmission is horrible. The CVT works great in snowmobile, but does it belong in a car? The engine is always revving to a high rpm range when you accelerate, and you wait for the transmission to catch up. It is dangerous when you try to pass or merge from an on ramp. This creates a lot of noise in the cabin. I know now why the salesman went with me on the test drive, picked the route (city streets), and never stopped talking. It was so I wouldn't notice how bad the noise or tranny was. I took the car on a 100 mile trip to my parents house and my back hurt and I'm young, skinny, and a runner. when you take a test drive leave the salesman at the dealer. If they insist on going along, walk away. Drive onto a highway, try merging with traffic, try to pass, and you won't buy it. The car is so slow and hesitant that it is almost dangerous. I am going to trade this car on a Honda or Nissan next year, take the bath, and never look back . What we need is a law that you can return the car in 48 hours and I bet that a lot of people will.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Toyota Corolla
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 Toyota Corolla earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 5.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Toyota Corolla 2017 Submodel Types: Sedan
Available Trims: LE, S Plus, S, SE, L, CE, XSE, XLE, LE Eco, LE Plus, S Premium, LE Premium, Base, 50th Anniversary Special Edition, LE Eco Plus, Special Edition, S Special Edition, VE, XRS, LE Eco Premium, LE Special Edition, DX, Deluxe, LE Eco w/Premium Package
Exterior Colors: Black Sand Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Slate Metallic, Super White, Barcelona Red Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blue Crush Metallic, Galactic Aqua Mica, Falcon Gray Metallic, Brown Sugar Metallic, Blizzard Pearl, 4Evergreen Mica, Desert Sand Mica, Silver Streak Mica, Nautical Blue Metallic, Indigo Ink Pearl, Blue Streak Metallic, Impulse Red Pearl, Phantom Gray Pearl, Tropical Sea Metallic, Cactus Mica, Impulse Red, Capri Sea Metallic, Hot Lava, Lunar Mist Metallic, Sandy Beach Metallic, Moonshadow Gray Metallic, Black Cherry Pearl, Absolutely Red, Black, Black Currant Metallic, Charcoal Gray Metallic, Sandrift Metallic, Silverstream Opal, Dark Blue Pearl, Green Pearl Metallic, Medium Gray Metallic, Mineral Green, Silver Stream Opal, Super Red, Venetian Red Pearl, Woodland Pearl
Interior Colors: Ash Fabric cloth, Ash/Dark Gray Fabric premium cloth, Black Softex/Black Fabric leatherette/cloth, Black/Brown Fabric premium cloth, Ash cloth, Black Mixed Media Fabric leatherette/cloth, Black Softex leatherette, Ivory Fabric cloth, Steel Grey Fabric cloth, Dark Charcoal premium cloth, Black Softex/Steel Blue Fabric leatherette/cloth, Bisque cloth, Dark Charcoal cloth, Almond Fabric premium cloth, Vivid Blue Mixed Fabric leatherette/cloth, Light Gray, Beige cloth, Black Mixed Media Fabric w/Black Cherry Stitching leatherette/cloth, Amber Fabric cloth, Pebble Beige, Stone cloth, Black, Black Softex/Black Amber Fabric leatherette/cloth, Dark Charcoal/Orange cloth, Orangezest Mixed Media Fabric leatherette/cloth, Bisque leather
Popular Features: Rear Bench Seats, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, Stability Control, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Upgraded Headlights, Back-up camera, Auto Climate Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Keyless Entry/Start, Alarm, Navigation, Heated seats, Power Driver Seat, Upgraded Stereo, Leather Seats
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
