Admittedly we spend a lot of time discussing the cutting edge features of new release vehicles here on our blog. However, we know that many of you are in the market for a preowned car, an affordable chariot that you can depend upon for your daily grind and weekend road trips alike. While you can't go wrong with any used Toyota that passes inspection and finds its way on to our lot, there's one standout that makes itself known as one of the best used vehicles in its class - the iconic Corolla. Today, we take a look at what makes this car a top pick, no matter the year it was born.
Very few people get a brand new model as their very first vehicle. It's a good idea to test the waters (roads) with a used one first, and there is nary a better choice than a Corolla. For this reason alone the Corolla makes the annual list as a top pick for college students (2018, 2017, etc.) and high school grads (2018, 2017, 2016, etc.) year after year. Why is this consistently so? Keep reading.
When the Corolla first rolled out in 1966, we're not sure if the manufactured predicted the vehicle would be going so strong into the new millennia, but this is really no surprise given Toyota's renowned Research and Development (R&D) protocol, something that has been a part of the Corolla's own development since the beginning. Back in 2010, Toyota announced that it was spending over $1 million an hour on R&D to improve safety and technology (read: dependability) in order to deliver a better car to the public. The Corolla, which was the brand's best selling car that year, received a large portion of those R&D dollars, which tells you that when you buy a preowned Corolla, you're getting your money's worth and probably much more.
One of the reasons drivers love the Toyota brand, is its commitment to safety, and while year after year the Corolla has scored 4-5 star ratings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the safety game really changed in 2011 as the Toyota Star Safety System was introduced to Canada. Guess which model was among the first to enjoy TSSS as a standard feature? That's right, the Corolla! So when you buy a used Corolla from 2011 and beyond, you'll gain peace of mind in knowing that you and your passengers will immediately benefit from features including Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology.
Another reason that the Corolla has maintained its popularity over the decades is fuel efficiency. Things got even better in this capacity during the model's 2014 overhaul, one that would feature a new transmission with an ECO mode which enhanced fuel economy while also delivering a SPORT mode for better acceleration and throttle response, with the two modes working together to deliver optimal driving efficiency. The year also marked a more aerodynamic design that contributed further to fuel efficiency. Then, in 2015, Corolla options (L, LE, LE Eco and S) delivered two different 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines and the new use of continuously variable transmission (LE, S, and LE Eco ) which further evolved the model's reputation for great fuel economy. Whether you opt for a preowned Corolla before the 2014 turning point, or after, you will receive one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in its class for any comparable year.
We suppose we should have started with this fact, but we didn't want to brag too much from the get-go. The Toyota Corolla has been and continues to be the World's Best Selling Car. That's right, since the beginning, the Corolla has surpassed all other makes and models with over 44 million "units" sold and counting. The vehicle is nearing its 52nd year in production (you can scoop up a 50th year model here) and that alone speaks to why there is simply no better choice when it comes to buying a preowned car. The Corolla has been there for drivers from the beginning and will continue to be so for decades and generations to come - even when it has wings. You may as well join the millions of others who depend upon the iconic car to make their lives better.
View our current inventory of preowned Toyota Corollas and contact our Greater Vancouver dealership to schedule your test drive at your earliest convenience.