The United States market has made a dramatic shift to larger vehicles since the introduction of the Toyota Corolla in 1968. Back then, small cars with an efficient and practical design were the go-to for many commuters, resulting in the Corolla becoming the best-selling car in the world by 1974.
Despite the overwhelming shift to crossovers, there are still a handful of popular compact sedans available at affordable prices. While the segment is far from as popular as it used to be, compact sedans still offer some appeal in the form of high efficiency, affordable pricing, and sheer practicality.
Toyota
Over the past few years, we’ve seen quite a few compact cars getting the ax. In 2020 alone, the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Chevrolet Sonic all met their end. Just two years later, in 2022, the Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Spark fell victim to the crossover craze. More recently, Nissan announced the 2025 model year would be the Versa’s last.
The Toyota Corolla nameplate is synonymous with efficiency and value. Toyota has been playing into that name recognition as of late, with the Corolla moniker making its way to the Corolla Cross and GR Corolla hot hatch.
For the 2025 model year, the Toyota Corolla doesn’t see a whole lot of updates, with the exception of a new trim level. The Toyota Corolla FX is a nod to the Corolla FX16 from the 1980s, but it lacks the enhanced performance of the original. The new FX trim comes with a standard 10.5-inch touchscreen display that’s optional equipment on every other 2025 Corolla model.
The 2025 Toyota Corolla’s base model is designed for practicality
Starting at $22,325, the 2025 Toyota Corolla is among the most affordable vehicles on the market. For that price, you get a pretty sweet list of standard features. In addition to an eight-inch touchscreen display, for example, the Corolla comes with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Like all Toyota vehicles, there’s a long list of standard safety features that fall under the Toyota Safety Sense suite. Remote keyless entry comes standard for pure convenience as well. Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT that delivers 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
At its peak, the base 2025 Toyota Corolla LE earns up to an EPA-estimated 32 city mpg, 41 highway mpg, and 35 combined mpg. Like with most vehicles, fuel economy varies according to wheel size. While the base model rides on 16-inch steel wheels, the SE trim gets bumped to 18-inch alloy wheels that drop fuel economy by a single mile per gallon.
Adding more equipment further reduces fuel economy. While the aesthetically pleasing FX trim rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, its extra features reduce fuel economy to 31 city mpg and 39 highway mpg. Likewise, the XSE trim sees highway fuel economy drop by an additional mile per gallon.
The compact car segment only has a handful of contenders left, but each one is fiercely competitive, even those available at a lower price point than the Corolla. The 2025 Kia K4 LX, previously known as the Forte, starts at $21,990, pumps out 147 horsepower, and earns up to an EPA-estimated 34 combined mpg. The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta S starts at $21,995, features a 158-horsepower turbocharged engine, and earns up to an EPA-estimated 33 combined mpg.
The 2025 Honda Civic LX starts at $24,250, boasts a 150-horsepower engine, and earns up to an EPA-estimated 36 combined mpg. The 2025 Mazda3 2.5 S starts at $23,950, boasts a 191-horsepower engine, and earns up to an EPA-estimated 31 combined mpg.
Toyota
The Toyota Corolla sits in the middle of that list, although not by a wide margin. In fact, in terms of efficiency, the Corolla tops every model but the Honda Civic. By performance, it surpasses each competitor except for the Mazda3.
Notably, all of the compact sedans listed come with standard front-wheel drive. That’s the story for almost all compact sedans at the base level, save for one. The 2025 Subaru WRX features the performance and efficiency of a sports car in compact sedan form, all while starting at $35,750. That model comes with standard all-wheel drive, but with its spec sheet, it’s clearly an up-market sport compact sedan, so it isn’t really worth comparing here.
Which of the Corolla’s rivals is the most competitive?
At a glance, the Toyota Corolla’s direct competition is fairly heated, but some rivals are more competitive than others. Let’s be frank here, though: there’s a reason the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have been long-time rivals.
The 2025 Honda Civic arrives at $24,250, which puts it above the 2025 Toyota Corolla’s $22,325. Interestingly, the Civic matches the Corolla blow for blow in performance and efficiency. While the Corolla’s 169 horsepower beats the Civic’s 150 horsepower, the Civic tops it in the realm of fuel efficiency. The 2025 Civic earns up to 36 combined mpg versus the Corolla’s 35 combined mpg.
Honda
Both models come with their respective manufacturers’ suite of safety systems, but when it comes to infotainment technology, the Corolla has the upper hand. Toyota loaded its compact sedan with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a feature not available on the standard Civic trims. The Corolla also has a larger eight-inch touchscreen display compared to the Civic’s seven-inch touchscreen display.
In terms of cargo space, the Civic tops the Corolla by just a tad. The Civic also has more upscale materials, while the Corolla’s interior reflects its lower price point. For better or worse, both models feature a standard CVT with no other transmission option available.
If that rubs you the wrong way, you aren’t alone. Fortunately, there are a couple of compact sedans available with other transmission options. The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta comes with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, while the Mazda3 comes equipped with a six-speed automatic.
Alternatively, if you’re willing to go hybrid, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedan brings a multitude of benefits over the gas-only model without a massive price increase. The hybrid variant starts at $23,825 with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for an additional $1,400. What the 138-horsepower Toyota Corolla Hybrid lacks in performance, it makes up for in efficiency, earning up to an EPA-estimated 50 combined mpg in front-wheel drive models.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Toyota Corolla’s practical design and affordable price make it a great value in the compact sedan segment. While its price lands it among the middle of its class, its array of standard features makes it stand out.
Toyota
If you need a car that does exactly what it’s designed to do and little else, the 2025 Toyota Corolla is a great contender. The Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Kia K4, and Mazda3 present direct competition, but it ultimately comes down to what you want in a vehicle.
When it comes to resale value, the Toyota Corolla is a hard model to beat. The Honda Civic is a safe bet as well, and Mazda and Volkswagen are hot on their tail.
Overall, the 2025 Toyota Corolla justifies its price thanks to its sheer combination of power, efficiency, and overall spec sheet when compared to similarly-priced rivals. While the Corolla doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, it does everything to an acceptable level, proving it a reliable car that gets from point A to point B without any trouble.
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About the author
Joseph Pudlewski
Contributing Writer, Autoblog