“I have previously owned Toyota vehicles and have had positive experiences with each one. Toyota is very reliable and has excellent ratings in Consumers Report. I like that I don't have to keep learning the layout of each item; they stay basically the same. It's easy to get used to a new, preowned vehicle with this benefit, a value for me.”
2018 Toyota Corolla: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 Toyota Corolla is a light carryover update. The main change is the addition of illuminated visor vanity mirrors to every sedan trim.
About the 2018 Toyota Corolla
11th-generation Corolla sedan (2014-2019), in the second year after the 2017 facelift; Corolla iM hatchback is in its final U.S. model year before the all-new 2019 Corolla Hatchback replacement.
The 2018 Corolla is Toyota’s compact car family for shoppers who want a small, easy-to-park car that does the basics well and adds strong standard safety. Toyota leans heavily on reliability, fuel economy, roomy rear-seat space, and simple controls in the sedan, while the Corolla iM hatchback adds a sportier look and more cargo flexibility. In this class, Corolla stands out by making active safety standard instead of reserving it for higher trims or option packages.
The sedan lineup ranges from the straightforward L and popular LE to the efficiency-focused LE Eco, sporty SE, comfort-oriented XLE, and sport-and-comfort XSE. Every sedan has Toyota’s active safety suite and a backup camera, while the Corolla iM is a single-trim hatchback with a 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and independent rear suspension.
What changed, by category
Trim lineup
The 50th Anniversary Special Edition offered for 2017 was dropped.
Tech and convenience
Every Corolla sedan trim added illuminated visor vanity mirrors.
Cabin trim
SE and XLE sedans added a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
2018 Toyota Corolla specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 4-Cyl, Valvematic, 1.8 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S | Automatic, CVTi-S | Auto, CVTi-S Sport Seq | Automatic, CVTi-S |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 27 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | 35 mpg | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | 35 mpg | 40 mpg |
| Horsepower | 132 hp | 132 hp | 132 hp | 132 hp | 132 hp | 137 hp | 140 hp |
| Torque | 128 lb-ft | 128 lb-ft | 128 lb-ft | 128 lb-ft | 128 lb-ft | 126 lb-ft | 126 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1500 lb | ||||||
| Trunk/Cargo | 13 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft | 20.8 cu-ft | 13 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 41.4 in | 41.4 in | 41.4 in | 41.4 in | 41.4 in | 32.7 in | 41.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | |||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||
| Bluetooth | |||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2018 Toyota Corolla compared with the 2017 model?
The 2018 Corolla received only minor updates. All sedan trims gained illuminated visor vanity mirrors, SE and XLE added a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and the 50th Anniversary Special Edition was dropped.
Did the 2018 Toyota Corolla get a new engine or major redesign?
No, the 2018 Corolla did not receive a new engine or major redesign. It carried over the sedan’s 2017 front-end update and existing 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine family.
Was Toyota’s active safety suite new for the 2018 Corolla?
No, the active safety suite was not new for 2018. Corolla sedans retained Toyota Safety Sense P as standard equipment, while the Corolla iM hatchback kept Toyota Safety Sense C.
How was the 2018 Corolla iM different from the Corolla sedan?
The 2018 Corolla iM was a five-door hatchback with one well-equipped trim. It had a 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch wheels, and independent rear suspension, and 2018 was its final model year before the Corolla Hatchback replacement.
Is the 2018 Toyota Corolla substantially different from the 2017 model?
No, the 2018 Corolla is not substantially different from the 2017 model. Its updates are limited mainly to illuminated visor mirrors, leather steering wheels for SE and XLE sedans, and the removal of the 50th Anniversary Special Edition.
2018 Toyota Corolla Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Toyota Corolla.
4.1
2018 Toyota Corolla
(353 reviews)
“It is a good car, I love Toyota and a manual transmission is much easier and I'm glad I have that option for a manual transmission. It is good in gas as well.”
“Car does exactly what I need it to do, get me from point A to Point B, with extra features like backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity, along with a solid heating and cooling system. Decent gas mileage and has not had any mechanical issues thus far.”