In this article 10 sections
The 2016 Toyota Corolla is the third model year of the 11th-generation compact sedan, sold in the US in L, LE, LE Eco and S grades plus a limited-run Special Edition. Every version uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, and EPA ratings run from 30 to 34 mpg combined depending on transmission. As a used buy it scores well on crash tests and running costs, but it predates the standard Toyota Safety Sense driver aids that arrived for 2017.
Best all-rounder: LE with the CVT (EPA 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined). Most efficient: LE Eco (up to 34 mpg combined). Sportiest: S or the 2016 Special Edition, limited to 8,000 cars. NHTSA gives the 2016 Corolla five stars overall. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the open air bag control unit recall.
How We Evaluated the 2016 Corolla
NextCarReview did not drive or inspect a 2016 Corolla. This guide is built only from published records: Toyota’s US newsroom releases for the 2016 Corolla and the 2016 Special Edition, EPA fuel economy data at FuelEconomy.gov, NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings, recall and complaint records, and the IIHS crash test page for the 2016 Corolla sedan. Where a number could not be confirmed from one of these sources, we left it out.
2016 Toyota Corolla Trims (US)
Toyota’s 2016 launch release lists four core grades, with Plus and Premium packages offered on the LE and S. The Special Edition was a separate model built on the S Plus with the CVTi-S automatic. Toyota’s release does not publish 2016 MSRPs, so we have not listed original prices; used prices today depend far more on mileage, condition and region than on the original sticker. Check local listings and use our auto loan calculator to work out a monthly payment.
| Grade | Transmissions | Highlights from Toyota’s 2016 release |
|---|---|---|
| L | 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic | Entune Audio with 6.1-inch screen, USB and Bluetooth, 60/40 split rear seat, power windows and locks |
| LE | CVTi-S automatic | Adds automatic climate control, cruise control, integrated backup camera, heated power mirrors |
| LE Eco | CVTi-S automatic | LE comfort with a 140-hp Valvematic engine tuned for economy |
| S | CVTi-S or 6-speed manual | Sport suspension, fog lights, bolstered seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-inch wheels |
| Special Edition (8,000 built) | CVTi-S automatic | Based on S Plus: gloss-black 17-inch alloys, black interior with red stitching, Smart Key with push-button start, paddle shifters, rear disc brakes |
Toyota says Special Edition production ran from August to December 2015. It came in Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl or Super White, with unique floor mats and an exterior badge, and Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and a power moonroof were options. Because only 8,000 were made, ask the seller for the original window sticker or a dealer build sheet to confirm a car is the real thing.
Engine, Transmissions and EPA Fuel Economy
Most 2016 Corollas use a 132-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder. The LE Eco gets a 140-hp version of the 1.8-liter with Toyota’s Valvematic variable valve timing. All are front-wheel drive. The table shows EPA ratings as currently listed on FuelEconomy.gov for each 2016 transmission.
| Version (2016) | City mpg | Highway mpg | Combined mpg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-speed automatic (L) | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| 6-speed manual (L, S) | 28 | 36 | 31 |
| CVT (LE) | 29 | 37 | 32 |
| CVT with 7 steps (S, Special Edition) | 28 | 36 | 31 |
| LE Eco CVT | 30 | 40 | 34 |
| LE Eco CVT, 2-mode (Normal/Eco) | 30 | 38 | 33 |
Toyota’s 2016 launch release quoted 42 mpg highway for the LE Eco, but the EPA listing on FuelEconomy.gov today shows 40 or 38 mpg highway for the two LE Eco versions. Use the EPA figure when comparing cars, and look up the exact car on FuelEconomy.gov because the trim-to-rating match depends on how each car is equipped. The 4-speed automatic L is the least efficient choice; the CVT models are the better buy for most drivers.
Interior, Space and Tech
Toyota lists 41.4 inches of rear legroom for the 2016 Corolla. Even the base L has the 6.1-inch Entune Audio screen, Bluetooth hands-free phone and USB/iPod connectivity. Entune Premium Audio with Navigation was available, and Toyota mentions Siri Eyes Free compatibility. None of this includes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so budget for a phone mount or an aftermarket head unit if you rely on phone navigation.
Safety Ratings and Recalls
| Test (2016 Corolla sedan) | Result |
|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 stars |
| NHTSA frontal crash (driver / passenger) | 5 stars (5 / 5) |
| NHTSA side crash | 5 stars |
| NHTSA rollover | 4 stars (11.8% rollover risk) |
| IIHS small overlap front, driver side | Marginal |
| IIHS moderate overlap front | Good |
| IIHS side, roof strength, head restraints | Good |
| IIHS LATCH ease of use | Acceptable |
IIHS notes that its Marginal small-overlap rating applies to 2014 to 2016 Corollas and that front crash prevention was not available on the 2016 car. Toyota’s 2017 release says Toyota Safety Sense P, which bundles automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, radar cruise control and automatic high beams, became standard starting with the 2017 Corolla. If those features matter to you, stretch to a 2017.
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2016 Corolla: campaign 20V024000. In some crashes the air bag control unit may malfunction and fail to deploy the air bags or seat belt pretensioners; the dealer remedy is an inspection and a noise filter installed free of charge. Enter the car’s VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the repair was done before you buy.
What to Inspect on a Used 2016 Corolla
NHTSA’s database holds 214 owner complaints for the 2016 Corolla. These are unverified reports, not proof of a defect, but they show where owners raised concerns. The most-cited categories are air bags (65), service brakes (29), seat belts (26), powertrain (22), steering (22) and vehicle speed control (22). With that in mind:
- Confirm recall 20V024000 is closed and check the air bag warning light goes out after start-up.
- Test the brakes for pulsing or noise and check pad and rotor wear.
- Check that every seat belt latches, retracts and locks.
- On CVT cars, ask for transmission fluid service records and note any shudder or hesitation on the test drive.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic, and pull a vehicle history report for accidents and flood damage.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| NHTSA 5-star overall rating | IIHS small overlap rated Marginal |
| Up to 34 mpg combined (LE Eco) | 4-speed automatic L is the least efficient |
| 41.4 in. of rear legroom | No automatic emergency braking (arrived for 2017) |
| Backup camera from the LE grade up | No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto |
| Special Edition adds style and rear disc brakes | Special Edition is rare; verify authenticity |
Who Should Buy a 2016 Corolla, and Which Grade
- Commuters on a budget: the LE with the CVT balances equipment, a backup camera and 32 mpg combined.
- Highway-mile drivers: the LE Eco is rated up to 40 mpg highway by the EPA.
- Drivers who want some style: the S or the Special Edition, with sport seats and larger wheels.
- First-car buyers and parents: five NHTSA stars help, but compare against a 2017 or newer Corolla with standard automatic emergency braking.
- Skip it if you need modern driver aids or smartphone mirroring; look at our 2026 Toyota Corolla review instead.
Looking at a Newer Corolla?
Today’s Corolla is a different car, with standard driver-assist tech and a hybrid option. Read our 2026 Toyota Corolla review for the current lineup, browse the Toyota reviews hub, or compare segment rivals in our best new cars of 2026 list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Corolla a good used car?
On the published data, yes for most buyers. NHTSA rates it five stars overall, the EPA rates it 30 to 34 mpg combined, and NHTSA lists just one recall. The main weak points are the IIHS Marginal small-overlap result and the lack of automatic emergency braking, which became standard for 2017.
What gas mileage does a 2016 Corolla get?
FuelEconomy.gov lists 30 mpg combined for the 4-speed automatic, 31 for the manual and the S-grade CVT, 32 for the LE CVT, and 33 to 34 mpg combined for the LE Eco.
What is the 2016 Corolla Special Edition?
A limited run of 8,000 cars built from August to December 2015 on the S Plus with the CVTi-S automatic. Toyota gave it gloss-black 17-inch wheels, a black interior with red stitching and red-accented trim, Smart Key with push-button start, and a choice of three colors.
Does the 2016 Corolla have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one: 20V024000, covering the air bag control unit. Check any specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, because recall status is tied to the individual vehicle.
https://pressroom.toyota.com/2016-toyota-corolla-debut/; https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-2015-special-edition-camry-corolla-chicago-auto-show-debut/; https://pressroom.toyota.com/2017-toyota-corolla-50-n-fabulous/; https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2016_Toyota_Corolla.shtml; https://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2016&make=Toyota&model=Corolla; https://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options?year=2016&make=Toyota&model=Corolla%20LE%20Eco; https://api.nhtsa.gov/SafetyRatings/VehicleId/10108; https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=toyota&model=corolla&modelYear=2016; https://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=toyota&model=corolla&modelYear=2016; https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/corolla-4-door-sedan/2016. All sources checked October 2026. Written by Morgan Reyes; NextCarReview does not road-test vehicles.
Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com
