2015 Toyota Corolla
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.8L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 28 / 36 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $1,950 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 283 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $16,096–$18,882 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2015 Toyota Corolla at 7.8/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.1/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 9.1/10, reliability is one of this sedan's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.6/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $16,096–$18,882, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Corolla sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.5/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2015 Toyota Corolla is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is technology and performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Toyota Corolla ranks #347 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 74% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $16,096 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 42%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$10,095 ($2,019/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Across the Corolla model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.2/10 | $22,711 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.2/10 | $22,711 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.2/10 | $22,050 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.1/10 | $21,388 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.1/10 | $20,727 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $20,065 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.0/10 | $19,404 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.0/10 | $18,742 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.9/10 | $18,081 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $17,419 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.9/10 | $16,758 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $16,096 |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Air bags / air bag/restraint control module 17/01/2020 · 20V024000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction,… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2015 Toyota Corolla that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2015 Toyota Corolla's reliability 9.1/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #347 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 74% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2015 Toyota Corolla starts at $16,096 and ranges up to $18,882 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 12 Corolla model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (8.2/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2015 Toyota Corolla are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
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Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.