Toyota Corolla Gas Mileage: 1979 – 2013

Gas mileage has always been a big part of the Toyota Corolla’s appeal. First introduced in 1968 as a modest two-door subcompact, the Corolla has grown remarkably in stature and sales, with 30 million sold from inception through 2005. It is now in its eleven generation. Although the Prius hybrid basks in the limelight of fuel efficiency at Toyota these days, the Corolla remains an economical and reliable choice.

While the Corolla’s gas mileage peaked in the 1984 model year, a clean used Corolla of any vintage can be an excellent choice for folks on a tight budget. The 2013 Toyota Corolla delivers 27 city / 34 highway miles per gallon (MPG) when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and 26/34 with the four-speed automatic.

We spent a week with the Corolla a few years back and walked away with a solid understanding of what continues to make this car so popular after all these years. Check out our 2009 Toyota Corolla review

How to get more MPGs in the Corolla

The fuel efficiency of older Corollas may be incrementally improved through the careful choice of components in routine maintenance. When it’s time to replace the tires, consider a set of high-quality low-rolling resistance tires. There are a wide range of choices, including the Bridgestone Ecopia, Continental ContiProContact, Michelin Defender, and Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max. When it’s time to replace the fluids (oil, transmission, differential), consider using synthetic fluids from Castrol, Royal Purple, Red Line, or Valvoline. Check with your mechanic and the owners forums to see which brands they recommend.

Driving style and technique have a huge bearing on gas mileage. In order to get the most out of every gallon in the Corolla, consider adding an aftermarket Instant MPG gauge. Units like the ScanGaugeE and AutoMeter EcoMeter cost less than $100 and can be installed in ten minutes or so. These gauges provide the feedback you need to become an informed light-footed driver.

Typical maintenance issues that can cause poor mileage in the Corolla include bad oxygen sensors (02), clogged fuel injectors, bad alignment, dragging brakes, and low tire pressure. Plastic shrouds and bits hanging below the undercarriage can have an effect on highway mileage due to increased aerodynamic drag.

Toyota Corolla Gas Mileage Chart – 1979-2013

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

– by Daniel Gray