The Toyota Corolla: Making Compact Cars Cool Again

Finding a used car dealer in Indiana where you can shop for a small compact car doesn’t have to bring up feelings of stress and dread. In fact, buying a used car is simple when you choose a dealer that puts customers first and whose goal is to provide transparent, easy-to-understand pricing and plenty of financing options. It may seem like a tall order, but dealerships like ours here at Colonial Toyota only succeed when buyers drive off our lot with a smile on their face.

The first step to stress-free used car shopping is having a large selection of options to choose from. Finding a dealership that has a high new car sales volume ensures there is a continuous supply of quality used vehicles coming in, which means you get a lot of choices. There’s a common misconception that budget-oriented shoppers must settle, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

It feels like the entire country is currently obsessed with SUVs and crossovers. Compact cars seem to be fading off into the sunset, but are they? We say no. In fact, there are a surprising number of stylish, fun-to-drive compact cars to choose from, and they’re filled with technology, infotainment, and safety-related features that rival more expensive models. Sure, budget is a significant factor for most buyers in this segment, but everyone wants to drive a fun, great-looking car.

Enter the Toyota Corolla. There’s a reason Toyota has sold over 2 million of these popular compact sedans since 2013: they’re reliable, adorable, and fun to drive. Looking specifically at the 2017 model year, there were over 330,000 2017 Corollas sold, which means there’s plenty of great used inventory to pick from. Let’s look more closely at this model year (and a few others in its generation) and see why it’s a great place to start for used compact car buyers.

Refreshed Styling

If you’re shopping for a used vehicle, it helps to do a little investigating into where each model year sits in its lifecycle. Every production vehicle is subject to periodic redesigns to keep it fresh and filled with newer technology. Referred to as a ‘generation,’ these cycles are important because they represent an infusion of newer features.

The 2017 Corolla is a refreshed, mid-cycle 11th generation version of the popular compact sedan. Completely redesigned in 2014, this round of Corollas offers plenty of updated technology, as well as a more modern and aerodynamic exterior appearance. In 2017, there were six trims to choose from – the base L, the LE, the LE Eco, the XLE, the SE, and the top-of-the-line XSE – giving buyers the freedom to dial in the level of luxury and features while still controlling the price tag.

Depending on the trim, these ’17 Corollas offer a 3.5-inch or 4.2-inch driver information display, which shows important vehicle data like driving range and other data, including outside temperature. The base L contains plenty of standard equipment, including LED headlights, 15-inch wheels, and intermittent windshield wipers on the outside, and power door locks and windows, a backup camera, 60/40 split fold-down rear, seat, and cruise control.

The high-end SE and XSE trim offer a standard power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade and 17-inch wheels. On the inside, luxury takes center stage on the XSE, with plush features like SoftTex synthetic leather seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a push-button start, and remote keyless entry. A 7-inch infotainment touchscreen is also standard, leveling up connectivity and delivering an information and entertainment hub for the driver.

Performance

The beauty of a compact sedan is its affordable price tag, and the best ones are also inexpensive to own. The 11th generation Toyota Corolla is both, thanks to a highly efficient powertrain and impressive fuel economy. With a curb weight of just under 2,500 pounds and an overall length of 181.1-inches, the Corolla is compact in every sense of the word.

For 2017, a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder DOHC (dual overhead cam) 16-valve engine was offered. This engine included Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, a long-winded way of describing the motor’s more efficient intake and exhaust valves. The technology improves all aspects of powertrain performance, including improved power and fuel efficiency.

In the 2017 Corolla L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE, the four-cylinder engine delivered 132 horsepower. In the tweaked and slightly more efficient LE Eco, that number jumps to 140 horsepower, thanks to Valvematic technology, which provides efficiency even more effectively. Combined fuel economy ratings for the 1.8-liter VVTi and Valvematic engines are 32 MPG and 34 MPG, respectively.

Compact sedans generally aren’t designed for sports-car-level performance, but this generation of Corollas is still plenty fun to drive. Some trims – like the SE – are even available with a smooth-shifting manual transmission for a sportier driving experience. Opting for the automatic transmission isn’t a compromise either; Toyota’s continuously variable six-speed automatic (CVT) transmission delivers smooth shifting at every speed.

Safety

The big headline for the Corolla’s 2017 model year was Toyota’s decision to make its Safety Sense P driver-assist suite standard across the entire trim range. The system includes a pre-collision alert system with pedestrian detection that uses sensors to detect potential hazards ahead and helps drivers mitigate crashes with audible alerts and automatic braking. Also standard in the driver-assist suite is a lane departure warning with steering assist, which works by sensing when the vehicle is drifting out of its intended lane of travel. If the turn signal isn’t engaged, an audible alert sounds, and the system applies gentle steering nudges to guide the vehicle back into its lane.

Automatic high beams are also standard and remove the sometimes annoying need to manually adjust beams. The system does so automatically when it senses oncoming traffic. Rounding out the driver-assist safety suite is dynamic radar cruise control, which automatically adjusts speed to keep a continuously safe distance from the vehicle ahead. In addition to driver-assist technology, all Corollas come with eight airbags, special whiplash-injury-lessening seats, crumple zones in the front and rear, a tire pressure monitoring system, and special Hill Start Control, which is designed to minimize rollback when the car is stopped on an incline.

The Best Used Compact Sedan

The eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla is a sweet spot for used compact sedan buyers for several reasons, but first and foremost is its value. If you combine the Corolla’s affordability with its deep trim range and impressive fuel economy, your used compact car shopping experience gets a whole lot easier. Now that you see the benefits of a used Toyota Corolla, we recommend trusting the team here at Colonia Toyota to help you find the model that works best for your budget and personal preferences. Don’t waste your precious time scrolling endlessly through online classifieds and contacting questionable private sellers: it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let go of the frustration and reconnect with the benefits of buying from a dealer. Tons of high-quality inventory, on-site financing, and a trusted service and maintenance partner are just a few of the benefits of buying from an authorized Toyota dealer. When you take away the stress and wasted time, you’re left with only the best part of car shopping – driving off in your new car.