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2018 Toyota Corolla

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Toyota Corolla
Pictured: Toyota Corolla Hybrid (E210) IMG 4338. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan, Im 5dr Hatchback
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Horsepower
132–137 hp
Transmission
CVT
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
34 combined · 30 city / 40 hwy
Length
170.5–182.7 in
Curb weight
2,789–2,943 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 34 MPG combined — 25% better than the average 2018 midsize car (27.2 MPG).
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Modest powerUp to 137 hp, versus about 192 hp for similar 2018 models.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 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 (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 34 MPG combined (30 city / 40 highway), 25% better than the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG, for an estimated $1,950 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Corolla — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Corolla →

Trims, performance & features

Engine132–137 hp1.8L 4-cyl
TransmissionCVT
DriveFWD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

L/LE/SE/XLE/XSEZRE186LL/LE/SE/XLE/XSE/50th Anniv. Special Edition

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard

Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Blue Springs, Mississippi · Toyota City, Aichi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Corolla configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan182.7 in70.1 in57.5 in106.3 in59.8 / 59.8 in2,789 lb61/39
Im 5dr Hatchback170.5 in69.3 in55.5 in102.4 in59.4 / 59.1 in2,943 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corolla LE Eco1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive30 / 40 / 34+25%$1,950263
Corolla LE Eco1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 38 / 33+21%$2,050271
Corolla1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 36 / 32+18%$2,100281
Corolla1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 35 / 31+14%$2,150286
Corolla iM1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 36 / 31+14%$2,150283
Corolla1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30+10%$2,250289
Corolla iM1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30+10%$2,250297
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.2 MPG2018 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★11.8%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2018 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2018 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2018 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2018 Toyota Corolla 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Toyota Corolla (this car)34 MPG★★★★★3
2018 Honda Civic36 MPG★★★★★6
2018 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2018 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★8
2018 Nissan GT-R18 MPGNot rated0
2018 Toyota Prius56 MPG★★★★★1
2018 Mazda 332 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jan 13, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V012000 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jun 28, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V503000 · 1,325 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is SET19A.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Toyota Corolla is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

143Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
28Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
20Injuries reported
17,858 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags37
Fuel/Propulsion System24
Unknown Or Other19
Engine16
Fuel System, Gasoline15
Power Train14
Service Brakes12
Electrical System12
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/12: 123/02: 123/05: 523/06: 123/09: 223/11: 324/03: 224/05: 124/08: 224/09: 124/10: 124/11: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 225/08: 125/10: 226/01: 126/02: 126/03: 126/04: 126/06: 126/09: 126/10: 122/1223/0624/0324/0925/0425/0826/0226/06max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Toyota Corolla buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 37 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 24 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Engine — 16 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 17,858 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Corolla. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Corolla years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Corolla50–Not rated00
2026 Corolla50182.7 inNot rated118
2025 Corolla50182.7 in★★★★★133
2024 Corolla50182.7 in★★★★★368
2023 Corolla50182.7 in★★★★★474
2022 Corolla52182.7 in★★★★★0105
2021 Corolla52182.7 in★★★★★1188
2020 Corolla52182.7 in★★★★★6314
2019 Corolla36182.7 in★★★★★6205
2017 Corolla34182.7 in★★★★★3190
2016 Corolla34182.7 inNot rated1215
2015 Corolla34182.7 inNot rated1220

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →