Auto Evolution: The Toyota Corolla Is the Paragon of Reliability

The Toyota name has become synonymous with durability and dependability. If you own a  Toyota, you usually own it for life, as these vehicles last forever. Toyotas are the vehicles you inherit from your parents or pass on to your own family. And, the car that cemented this reputation for Toyota was the Corolla. After fifty years of sales and 11 generations, the Corolla represents the paragon of reliable transportation, and remains a best-selling compact sedan for shoppers looking for an affordable, efficient vehicle.

Introduced in 1966, the first Corollas were engineered for simplicity. It was the smallest car Toyota had sold in America at that time, putting out a mere 60 hp and offered as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and two-door wagon. It wasn't fancy or complex, and had prices starting under $1,700, but it proved that Toyota could build a small, cheap car that didn't sacrifice quality. While it was a good car, the Corolla became bigger and more powerful in subsequent generations to satisfy American appetites. The 1971 model year saw the engine grow to 1.6-liter, putting out 102 hp, which was nothing to sneeze at during that time. The Corolla quickly became the best-selling car worldwide by 1974.

During its fifth generation in the mid-80s, the Corolla caved to front-drive pressure, powered by an inline-four. While some were sad to see the fun days of rear-wheel-driving come to a close, the fifth generation saw roughly 3.3 million units sold. With the switch to front-wheel-drive complete, the design of the Corolla shifted during the sixthh generation, with rounder, more aerodynamic styling. By the seventh generation in 1993, the Corolla sedan and wagon grew out of the subcompact market into the fully-developed compact car. The Corolla grew again in its eighth generation, but it managed to shed some pounds and improve efficiency with upgraded powertrains that used an all-new aluminum engine block and cylinder heads.

By its tenth generation, the Corolla had stayed the course of  practicality, with a few tweaks here and there, but relatively unchanged. The tradition continues on in the 2016 Corolla, which marks the third model year in the vehicle's 11th generation, but some sharp exterior styling and updated tech help give infuse it with some pizzazz. A crisper outer look, supple seats, class interior accents, and updated music and tech systems make the Corolla the hassle-free sedan you can count on. Here's what the 2016 Corolla has to offer.

• The new Corolla is three inches longer than its predecessor, offering more legroom and cargo space than before.
• Crisp lines and stand LED headlights bump up the Corolla's style, giving it more presence. If you opt for the sportier S trim you'll get a blacked-out grille with chrome trim and 17-inch alloy wheels.
• A clean dashboard layout in the cabin is easy-to-use with 6.1-inch touchscreen display that houses music, navigation, and app integration.
• The Corolla adds further peace of mind behind the wheel with its 5-star overall safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• Fuel-efficiency remains a top priority, and the CVT gets the best gas-mileage, aside from the LE ECO, with an EPA-estimated 37 mpg highway and 29 city.

Find Local Discounts on the Toyota Corolla

If you're interested in the Toyota Corolla, you might also want to consider these models we've driven:

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