Here's Why Toyota's Cheapest Car Is Still A Smart Buy

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Here's Why Toyota's Cheapest Car Is Still A Smart Buy originally appeared on Autoblog.
Toyota has its fair share of models that cost well over $50,000, from the three-row Sequoia to the Tundra pickup and GR Supra sports car. But, the automaker has not forgotten its roots as the ideal car for the everyday commuter who prioritizes good value above all else. For them, Toyota remains one of the go-to automakers in America, but what is the cheapest new Toyota car you can buy, and how does it compare to its chief rival from Honda?
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For only $22,325, the base Toyota Corolla LE sedan is the most affordable model sold by the brand in the United States. That price excludes any optional extras and the destination charge. Not only is it the cheapest Toyota, but it's one of the most affordable new cars in America, too.
The Corolla LE comfortably undercuts its main rival on price, that being the Honda Civic Sedan, which starts at $24,250. You'll also pay less for a Corolla sedan than a Corolla hatch, with the latter beginning at $23,780.
Let's take a closer look at what the Corolla LE gets you for your money.
The current Corolla sedan isn't as bland as previous iterations of the sedan. In particular, the front fascia is quite aggressive by Corolla standards, featuring wraparound headlight clusters and a substantial opening below the grille.
All that being said, Toyota's cheapest car can't conceal its bargain price. It rides on exceedingly plain 16-inch steel wheels with covers, although alloys are available as part of a package. In standard white, it gives off an unavoidable rental car vibe, but at least you can upgrade to some more interesting colors for no charge, such as Blueprint.
The only noteworthy standard exterior features are LED headlights and taillights. Then again, much the same is true of its Honda rival.
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Inside, the Corolla LE comes with standard cloth seats in a choice of Light Gray, black, or Macadamia/Mocha. Honda limits the base Civic to an all-black interior, so at least the Corolla has a bit more variety here.
Traditional analog gauges are fitted, but at least there are no legibility concerns. In the LE, the infotainment setup includes an eight-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so all the basics are covered. Toyota also includes four USB-C ports (two in front and two at the back), automatic single-zone climate control, and a 60/40 split-folding back seat.
Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 suite is smartly included as standard, and includes:
Pre-collsion system with pedestrian detection
Lane departure alert
Automatic high beams
Road sign assist
Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control
Proactive driving assistance
Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are optionally available. The base Corolla has more USB ports, a slightly larger touchscreen, and two extra speakers when compared to the pricier Civic. The Civic's main advantage is a more accommodating back seat.
Overall, the Corolla LE's interior lacks some desirable items and nicer finishes, but there are no glaring omissions when one considers the car's low price. Besides, you can always upgrade to one of the Corolla's many better-equipped trims.
All non-hybrid Corollas use a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. A CVT sends what limited power there is to the front wheels, and customers should be prepared to deal with some undesirable acoustics from the four-pot, together with languid acceleration. The Civic isn't any better in this regard (150 hp), so we suggest the base 191-hp Mazda 3 sedan for anyone in need of better performance; this also happens to be the cheapest Mazda on sale.
On a more positive note, the cheapest new Toyota is highly efficient, returning 32/41/35 mpg city/highway/combined. It also rides comfortably and handles proficiently, but the Civic and Mazda 3 are both more involving to drive.
It's hard to beat the base Corolla for sheer reliability and low running costs, but the underpowered engine and CVT transmission combination is perhaps the clearest sign that this is a budget car.
For just a bit more than the Corolla LE sedan, here are two other cheap Toyota cars worth considering.
Much of what we've covered about the base Corolla Sedan also applies to the cheapest Corolla Hatchback, which starts at $23,780. However, the hatchback gets a sportier base trim called the SE, which comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a color-keyed rear spoiler, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. It sticks with the 169-hp engine, but has a much more youthful look and feel.
Also Toyota's cheapest SUV, the base Corolla Cross L starts at just above $24k. It has the same 169-hp engine and a comparable specification to the Corolla LE. Being a crossover does mean a bigger back seat and a larger (24 cubic feet) trunk, though, which are the main reasons to choose this cheap Toyota instead.
Here's Why Toyota's Cheapest Car Is Still A Smart Buy first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 10, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.