A used Toyota Corolla can be a great way to save money when car shopping. You don’t have to buy a brand new model to enjoy the reliability and excellent gas mileage that comes with a Corolla. You may even find yourself with extra money left over for a road trip. However, not every Corolla model is a clear winner. Before shopping for your next used car purchase, learn the best Toyota Corolla years to choose from.

The best Toyota Corolla model years to choose from

If you’re tight on money and looking for something for less than $10K, we recommend shopping between the 2004 to 2009 model years of the Toyota Corolla. These years will be more affordable than shopping for a newer model year in the most recent generation, from the 2019 to 2022 Corollas. According to CarGurus, the price of used 2019 to 2022 Toyota Corolla models is between $20K and $26K. Meanwhile, due to availability shortages, a brand-new 2022 Toyota Corolla is worth much more than its starting MSRP of $20,175.

Affordability is one of the main reasons old Corolla models are recommended, as well as their proven reliability on the road. However, suppose you are a tech-savvy driver and want modern technology in your car’s cabin. In that case, it is highly recommended to start shopping for the 2014 Toyota Corolla, which was the introduction of the model’s 11th generation.

2003 to 2013 Toyota Corolla fuel economy ratings

Fuel economy is a significant consideration when buying a used car. Smaller cars are notable for having great mileage. However, used Corollas can vary in fuel economy by a surprising amount depending on which model year and generation you choose.

The Toyota Corolla’s ninth generation is comprised of the 2003 to 2006 model years, and the 10th generation is comprised of the 2007 to 2013 model years. The gas mileage of the 2003 Toyota Corolla is rated at 25 city mpg and 34 highway mpg for an automatic transmission and 28 city mpg and 36 highway mpg for a manual transmission, according to the U.S. Department of Energy website Fuel Economy. Meanwhile, moving into the 10th generation, the 2007 Toyota Corolla has 26 city mpg and 35 highway mpg fuel economy ratings according to Fuel Economy, which is slightly down from the ninth generation of Corollas, but still respectable.

The Toyota Corolla model year you should buy

So, out of the different model years and generations we’ve discussed, what is the best year for Toyota Corolla models to buy from? Well, if you’re trying to get the most affordable model, you’ll want to go back to the 1999 Toyota Corolla with an average used car price of $4,230, according to CarGurus. However, for a mix of reliability, fuel economy, and affordability, we’d recommend the 2008 Toyota Corolla estimated at $7,269 or the 2009 Toyota Corolla estimated at $8,454.