2027 Toyota Corolla

The 2027 Corolla celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, yet its mission remains unchanged: deliver affordable, efficient, and dependable transportation. This review covers the gas-powered Corolla sedan. If you want better fuel economy, more cargo space, or greater performance, check out our separate reviews of the Corolla Hybrid, Corolla Hatchback, and Corolla GR. If you’re shopping for a small SUV, the Corolla Cross offers a higher seating position and greater versatility while remaining smaller and more affordable than a RAV4. Few car nameplates offer a broader range of choices than the Corolla. Aside from minor updates, the Corolla sedan enters 2027 much as it left 2026: smart, practical, and compact.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the Toyota Corolla.

Changes to the gas-powered Corolla sedan are modest for 2027. A new exterior color, called Inked, joins the palette, while the rest of the lineup carries over largely unchanged. Toyota is also marking the 60th Anniversary of the Corolla with a Special Edition based on the Corolla Hybrid, which we review separately.

The 2027 Toyota Corolla has a starting price of $24,620 for the LE trim, climbing to $30,335 for the range-topping XSE. The midlevel SE starts at $27,060.

The Corolla remains competitively priced within the compact-sedan segment. It lines up closely with rivals such as the Kia K4, Nissan Sentra, and Volkswagen Jetta, while shoppers may find themselves cross-shopping the slightly pricier Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda3. The Corolla’s strong resale value further enhances its long-term ownership appeal, helping owners retain more value when it’s time to sell or trade in.

Before buying, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what shoppers in your area are actually paying. Pricing and market conditions can change frequently.

The Corolla’s mission has never been to thrill enthusiasts. Instead, it focuses on providing comfortable, efficient, and dependable transportation, and it succeeds admirably.

The Corolla’s handling is predictable and composed. Toyota’s TNGA-C platform provides a solid foundation, giving the sedan a stable feel on the highway and a comfortable ride over imperfect pavement. It won’t match the engagement of a Civic or Mazda3, but it remains easy and enjoyable to drive every day.

XSE models add paddle shifters and a Sport mode that simulates gear changes through preset CVT ratios. The feature adds some driver involvement, although the responses aren’t especially quick and the simulated shifts can feel artificial compared with real paddle shifters.

The Corolla’s cabin emphasizes practicality rather than luxury, but it remains comfortable and thoughtfully arranged.

Upper trims feel noticeably more upscale. The XSE adds more supportive seats, while available features such as a sunroof and JBL audio system enhance comfort. Fit and finish are impressive for the segment.

Rear-seat space is adequate for adults but not particularly generous by segment standards. Competitors such as the Civic and K4 offer more passenger room.

Buyers who find the Corolla sedan’s trunk and fold-down rear seats sufficient for everyday needs will appreciate its combination of practicality and efficiency. Those who regularly haul bulkier cargo may be better served by the Corolla Hatchback or Corolla Cross, whose liftback design provides considerably more flexibility.

The Corolla strikes a pleasing balance between conservative and sporty.

Sharp headlights, crisp body lines, and a low, wide stance help the sedan avoid looking anonymous. The SE and XSE trims add sportier styling elements, while available 2-tone paint combinations provide additional visual flair.

A Ruby Flare Pearl paint job paired with a black roof, black mesh grille, and sport trim gives the Corolla a surprisingly premium and athletic appearance.

Smartphone connectivity
Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide easy access to navigation, music, and communication apps without plugging in your phone.

Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive Cruise Control helps reduce driver workload on the highway. The system can automatically accelerate and brake to maintain a selected gap between the Corolla and the vehicle in front.

Smart Key
Standard on SE trims and higher, Toyota’s Smart Key system allows keyless entry and push-button starting, making everyday errands and commutes just a little easier.

8-inch Infotainment Screen
Toyota’s standard 8-inch touchscreen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth connectivity, and over-the-air updates. A larger 10.5-inch display is available and comes standard on the XSE.

Intelligent Assistant
Available Intelligent Assistant brings hands-free voice control to the Corolla. Simply say, “Hey, Toyota,” to get directions, adjust climate settings, control audio functions, and more using natural voice commands.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0

Every Corolla comes standard with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and automatic emergency braking.

Every 2027 Corolla sedan uses a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a CVT automatic transmission. The setup prioritizes efficiency and everyday drivability while providing enough power for confident highway passing and merging. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, while buyers seeking all-wheel drive (AWD) will need to step up to certain Corolla Hybrid models.

Warranty

The Toyota Corolla is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota also throws in a 2-year/25,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.

Safety

At the time of writing, the 2027 Toyota Corolla had not yet received new IIHS or NHTSA crash-test ratings. Even so, the current-generation Corolla has built a strong safety reputation, earning IIHS Top Safety Pick honors and a 5-Star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and other driver-assistance technologies.