Is the Toyota Corolla a Good Car? Yes, the Corolla is a good compact car . It earns great fuel economy estimates and has a terrific predicted reliability rating. It also has lots of standard driver assistance features and an easy-to-use infotainment system. It does have some notable drawbacks, however. This Toyota doesn't deliver the engaging driving experience that many classmates offer, and the base engine is uninspiring. Also, the Corolla doesn't have the passenger and cargo space of some rivals. Should I Buy the Toyota Corolla? The Corolla has a base price under $20,000 and comes standard with an infotainment system and lots of standard safety tech. However, it's difficult to recommend the base model because of its weak engine. Moving up in price to get a stronger engine undercuts its value proposition. We recommend taking a look at some of the top picks in the class, such as the Mazda3 and Honda Civic . These fellow Japanese rivals have dynamic ...