These days, Corollas start at a value-packed $22,325, or 13 times what the original cost in 1968.

Most people probably think the best-selling automobile of all time is the Model T or Beetle. Nope. While Ford built more than 15 million Model Ts and Volkswagen vended more than 23 million Beetles, the ever-durable Toyota Corolla crossed the sales milestone of 50 million a few years ago and kept on replicating.

Whether you get the most affordable sedan with hubcaps or our natty 2025 Corolla FX, get a color you like because it will likely last forever.

Think back to how much autos have changed since the Corolla arrived stateside in spring 1968. That first one cost $1,700 when gas was $0.35/gallon and the median household income was $7,700. The No. 1 TV show was “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.” Songs played on the optional AM radio included Simon and Garfunkle’s “Mrs. Robinson” and The Beatles “Hey Jude.”

Even back then, the Corolla was stylish, roomy, relatively luxurious, and building a reputation for longevity. You could beat the snot out of them and they would just keep running — quite unlike domestic compacts of the era. When the October 1973 oil embargo hit, Americans embraced the Corolla and never looked back.

The newest generation Corolla is fairly fetching with its arched roof, sculpted fenders, and angry visage that cues from the Camry and Prius. It looks sophisticated. Beyond a lowered suspension to give it a more aggressive stance, FX trim adds black rockers, roof, badging and mirror caps. Chrome exhaust outlets, 18-inch machined satin black wheels, and black rear spoiler are overkill, but they add delicious spice to this biscuit.

Corollas have always enjoyed interiors nicer than they deserve, and the 2025 Corolla FX is no exception. Sweeping layers of orange-stitched plushitude, sporty gray cloth seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel welcome passengers. Front doors are soft-touch, rear doors hard plastic. Climate control is one zone but is automatic. A super intuitive 10.5-inch screen sprouts from the dash to control devices wirelessly connected through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Charge wirelessly in the console. We’re way past AM radios!

While the FX looks like it would tear up a track packing a turbo, it doesn’t. Instead, it runs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Thanks partly to the continuously variable transmission and front-drive, it achieves 31/39-MPG city/highway. Run 0-60 mph in under 8.5 seconds, but expect plenty of rev noise as the CVT holds gear ratios.

None of that is especially exciting, but the 1968 Corolla made do with just 70 horsepower to run 0-60 mph in a lethargic 17 seconds. Today’s Corolla would have matched period Cadillacs!

Corollas always provide a compliant ride, even over rough pavement, but the FX improves handling with sport suspension tuning. Honestly, there’s very little difference from behind the vague steering wheel. I’d prefer the refinement of an independent rear suspension, but the torsion beam is well behaved.

Being affordable doesn’t mean forgoing safety, as the Corolla FX comes with automatic emergency braking, radar adaptive cruise, blind spot warning, lane tracing assist, and rear cross traffic alert.

The FX looks cool, but there’s a nastier Corolla, if that’s your desire. Tucked beneath the hood of the GR Corolla, caressed by Toyota’s GAZOO Racing, is a 1.6-liter three-cylinder tubocharged engine dishing 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Choose between an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. More than an engine, this bad Corolla hatchback features launch control to enhance acceleration, track-ready suspension to keep it planted and wide fenders to shelter its beefy wheels. Prices start at $38,860.

Back in the real world, civilian Corollas offer a stupid amount of car for the money — a window sticker that will make you laugh. Base models start at just $22,325, with our sporty FX coming to $29,728. Hybrids cost a little more. Given the Corolla’s renowned durability and resale values, that’s an incredible value compared against the Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, Nissan Sentra, VW Jetta, and Kia K4.

Likes: sporty styling, upscale interior, fuel economy

Dislikes: numb steering, buzzy transmission, torsion beam

2025 Toyota Corolla FX

Five-passenger, FWD Sedan

Powertrain: 2.0-liter I4, CVT

Output: 169hp/151 pound-feet

Suspension f/r: Ind/Torsion beam

Wheels f/r: 18 inch/18 inch alloy

Brakes f/r: disc/disc

0-60 mph: 8.1s

Fuel economy city/hwy: 31/39-MPG

Assembly: Blue Springs, Mississippi

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