The Toyota Corolla does 34.0 mpg combined (31.6 city, 38.0 highway), which works out to about $1,129 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid does 50.9 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 27.6 — a difference of $637 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Toyota Corolla engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid | 53 / 48.6 | 2020–2026 | $754 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 32 / 41.1 | 2019–2026 | $1,094 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 28.4 / 37 | 1984–2018 | $1,211 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 24.8 / 31.6 | 1986–1997 | $1,391 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.094 |
| Fuel per year | $1,129 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,645 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$383 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,929 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 31.6 mpg | $1,215 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38.0 mpg | $1,011 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.4 mpg (20%) | Typical for its type |
How the Corolla changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 42.5 / 43.5 | 2 | $904 | |
| 2025 | 42.5 / 43.5 | 2 | $904 | |
| 2024 | 42.5 / 43.5 | 2 | $904 | |
| 2023 | 42.5 / 43.5 | 2 | $904 | |
| 2022 | 42.5 / 46.5 | 2 | $883 | |
| 2021 | 42.5 / 46.5 | 2 | $883 | |
| 2020 | 42.5 / 46.5 | 2 | $883 | |
| 2019 | 32 / 42 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2018 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2017 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2016 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2015 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2014 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2013 | 26 / 33 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2012 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2011 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2010 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2009 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2008 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2007 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2006 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2005 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2004 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2003 | 28 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2002 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2001 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2000 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1999 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1998 | 27 / 34 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 1997 | 26 / 32 | 1 | $1,324 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota Corolla get?
34.0 mpg combined on average — 31.6 in the city and 38.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Toyota Corolla cost in fuel per year?
About $1,129 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,645 over five years, or 0.094 dollars a mile.
Which Corolla engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl Hybrid at 50.9 mpg, against 27.6 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $637 a year.
Is the Corolla good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.