10 Cars Like Toyota Corollas: Similar Rides Worth Checking Out
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Who has never heard of the Toyota Corolla? Chances are, you have. It took the crown from the Volkswagen Beetle in the late ’90s as the world’s best-selling car. Why? Because it’s been all about giving you what you need at a price that makes sense. Now in its 12th generation, the Corolla is still a top pick for anyone who wants a reliable, affordable car.
The Corolla is perfect for everyday driving and longer trips. It’s great on gas, saving you money at the pump, and generally starts at a wallet-friendly price point. Plus, it’s packed with features that come standard. Need space for groceries, gear, or luggage? The sedan version has a roomy trunk, and the hatchback has even more space behind the back seats.
But let’s be honest – the Corolla isn’t the only car out there. As such, we’ve compiled ten of the best cars like the Toyota Corolla.
1. Honda Civic
You can’t really talk about the best cars like the Toyota Corolla without starting with its long-time competitor, the Honda Civic. The Civic is an excellent option for those looking for a car that combines sporty design, advanced technology, and impressive fuel efficiency. With responsive handling and powerful engine options, it offers a more dynamic driving experience than the Corolla.
Additionally, the Civic’s interior is sleek and modern, featuring cutting-edge amenities such as a user-friendly infotainment system and advanced safety technology. Although it comes with a higher price tag than the Corolla, the Civic’s impressive features make it a worthwhile investment.
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2. Toyota Prius
If you prefer your options within the Toyota brand, the Toyota Prius makes the most sense. The Prius has recently undergone a significant “glow-up,” making it a formidable alternative to the Corolla if you want something more modern and stylish. The Prius justifies its higher price tag with its hybrid technology, offering exceptional fuel efficiency (57 mpg city, 56 mpg highway, and a combined 57 mpg) that surpasses the already economical Corolla. The combination of improved style, superior fuel efficiency, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability makes the Prius a top-tier alternative to the venerable Corolla.
3. Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza has recently been redesigned and now comes only in a hatchback model. Regardless, the Impreza boasts a range of impressive features that make it a strong rival to the Toyota Corolla. One of its most significant selling points is its standard all-wheel drive system, which provides excellent traction in harsher climates and weather conditions, such as rain and snow. While the base engine, with its 152 hp, might feel underwhelming, the optional 182-hp powertrain delivers a more satisfying driving experience. Furthermore, the Impreza offers more cargo space than the Corolla, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats.
4. Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is one of the top-rated compact cars in the market. Thanks to its dynamic powertrains and fuel efficiency, the Elantra is an excellent option for cars like the Toyota Corolla. Its wide-ranging engine choices start with a 147 hp base engine and offer more robust options with 201 and 276 hp. Fuel efficiency is a strong point, too, with the Elantra achieving up to 33 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. Moreover, it surpasses the Corolla sedan in cargo space, offering 14.2 cu-ft in the trunk.
The Elantra is also rich in standard features, including an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and essential driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.
TOYOTA COROLLA PROS & CONS
If you’re interested in this vehicle, it’s critical to examine the best and worst aspects of the car. You might wonder - what are the Toyota Corolla pros and cons?
5. Kia Rio
If you want a more budget-friendly subcompact car, it’s hard to go wrong with the Kia Rio. Despite its smaller size, the Rio has numerous advantages over the Corolla. Starting at an affordable MSRP of about $16,750, the Rio is less expensive than its Toyota rival. Plus, you’ll enjoy a smooth ride and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Its fuel efficiency is also noteworthy, delivering 32 mpg in city driving and 41 mpg on highways. In both sedan and hatchback models, the Rio sedan provides 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly surpassing the Corolla sedan’s 13.1 cubic feet.
6. Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is another popular choice for cars like the Toyota Corolla. While both cars share many similarities, the Mazda 3 offers several advantages over the Toyota Corolla. For instance, the Mazda 3 is often praised for its sporty driving dynamics and is specifically known for its responsive steering and overall agility. Plus, the Mazda 3 tends to have more upscale interior elements than the Corolla.
7. Nissan Versa
Suppose you’re in the market for a value-forward alternative to the Toyota Corolla. In that case, the Nissan Versa should be worth adding to your shortlist – thanks to the Versa’s lower starting price compared to the Corolla. Moreover, budget-conscious buyers won’t have to compromise the Corolla’s excellent fuel efficiency since the Versa edges it out a bit. For example, the 2024 Nissan Versa outperforms the Toyota Corolla in fuel efficiency, with an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, compared to the Corolla’s combined 35 mpg and 32 mpg in the city.
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8. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Buyers who are serious about the Toyota Corolla should seriously consider the hybrid model, especially if fuel efficiency is a major checklist. The 2023 model, for instance, boasts an EPA-estimated 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway. Sure, the Corolla Hybrid is more expensive than the standard model, but the fuel cost savings can offset the initial higher price tag in the long run. Even so, the price difference is only a few thousand dollars.
9. Volkswagen Jetta
Like the Toyota Corolla, the Volkswagen Jetta is a well-rounded vehicle, provided you don’t mind that it’s a compact car. The Jetta is classified as a compact car but has a surprisingly roomy interior. Its exterior design is understated, yet it delivers a graceful driving experience. The Jetta is equipped with a 158-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which performs well and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. For more power, the Jetta also comes with a turbocharged variant.
10. Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is another compact car that undercuts the Corolla in pricing. One of the Forte’s best qualities is its spacious interior and cargo capacity. With 15.3 cu-ft in the trunk, the Forte beats the Corolla in cargo space. Fuel efficiency is another strong point for the Forte, with models equipped with the base engine achieving 28 to 30 mpg in the city and 39 to 41 mpg on the highway.
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