DecodedCars2016 Toyota Corolla
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 132–140 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 34 combined · 30 city / 40 hwy
- Length
- 182.7 in
- Curb weight
- 2,789 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2016 midsize car (26.2 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Toyota Corolla is a midsize car offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,789 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 40 highway), 30% better than the 2016 midsize car average of 26.2 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Corolla — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Corolla →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Blue Springs, Mississippi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2016 Corolla configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 182.7 in | 70.1 in | 57.5 in | 106.3 in | 59.8 / 59.8 in | 2,789 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corolla LE Eco | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 40 / 34 | +30% | $1,950 | 263 |
| Corolla LE Eco | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 38 / 33 | +26% | $2,050 | 266 |
| Corolla | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +22% | $2,100 | 281 |
| Corolla | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | +18% | $2,150 | 282 |
| Corolla | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 36 / 31 | +18% | $2,150 | 284 |
| Corolla | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | +15% | $2,250 | 291 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Toyota Corolla.
Similar 2016 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Corolla (this car) | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Honda Civic | 35 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Honda Accord | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra | 31 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jan 17, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V024000 · 2,891,976 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Not every 2016 Toyota Corolla is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Toyota Corolla buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 65 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 30 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Seat Belts — 26 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 25,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Corolla. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Corolla years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Corolla | 50 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Corolla | 50 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 18 |
| 2025 Corolla | 50 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 33 |
| 2024 Corolla | 50 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 68 |
| 2023 Corolla | 50 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 74 |
| 2022 Corolla | 52 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 105 |
| 2021 Corolla | 52 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 188 |
| 2020 Corolla | 52 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 314 |
| 2019 Corolla | 36 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 205 |
| 2018 Corolla | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 143 |
| 2017 Corolla | 34 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 190 |
| 2015 Corolla | 34 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 220 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →