If you’re shopping for a used small car, you’ll want to include the 2017 Toyota Corolla in your search. Buying a used Toyota Corolla comes with Toyota’s legendary reliability and specifically the Toyota Corolla’s practicality, plush ride, and outstanding fuel economy with the hybrid option. But does buying a five-year-old 2017 Toyota Corolla make sense?

The five-year-old 2017 Toyota Corolla

Consumer Reports recently listed its picks for the “Most Satisfying 5-Year-Old Sedans.” The publication included several cars in the “Midsized and Large Car” segment, but only one “Small Car” made the list, the 2017 Toyota Corolla. 

The 2017 Corolla belongs to the 11th generation of Corolla models, with model years ranging from 2014 through 2019. “It’s also one of the best-riding compact sedans CR has tested, and it gets great fuel economy, especially with a hybrid powertrain,” Consumer Reports said of the small car. 

When considering a used small car, a statement like the 2017 Toyota Corolla being “one of the best-riding compact sedans CR has tested” carries a lot of weight. Combine that with the Consumer Reports review of the Corolla’s interior, calling it “relatively roomy” and finding “a spacious rear seat and ample legroom all around,” and the 2017 Corolla is an excellent choice for a used small car. To top it off, the 2017 Corolla gets an EPA-estimated 34 MPG combined city/highway, and the Hybrid gets up to 53 miles on a gallon of gas, all for under $20,000.

2017 Toyota Corolla specifications

All 2017 Toyota Corollas feature a dual-overhead-cam, four-valves per cylinder, 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 132 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the Corolla Hybrid employs a 650-volt, 80-hp electric motor to supplement the gasoline engine and improve fuel economy. However, the Hybrid’s electric drivetrain offers a minimal all-electric driving range. So, don’t depend on using it to go very far.

With a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it’s hard to find a safer used small car than the 2017 Toyota Corolla. Standard 2017 Corolla safety features include a rearview camera and Toyota’s Safety Sense P with features like:

• Pedestrian detection
• pre-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• lane departure warning
• lane keep assist
• adaptive cruise control

Inside the 2017 Toyota Corolla’s cabin, you’ll find electric power steering, a simulated alloy steering wheel, and single-zone front climate control. You’ll also find an air filtration system. Meanwhile, the front bucket seats are covered in premium cloth. The used Corolla also features a six-way adjustable driver’s seat with height adjustment and a four-way adjustable passenger seat. 

Consumer Reports gives the 2017 Corolla a perfect reliability score based on input from actual Corolla owners. The 20117 Corolla received perfect scores in reliability categories such as:

• Engine problems ranging from major overhauls to minor belt replacements
• Cooling system problems from leaks to water pump failures
• Transmission trouble from complete transmission replacement to faulty sensors
• Drive system failures from Constant Velocity (CV) Joints to driveline vibrations.

The “most common reported trouble spots” include the fuel and climate control systems. However, they still maintain a nearly perfect score. 

Is this used small car a used car worth buying?

If you need a dependable, economical used small car, the 2017 Toyota Corolla is worth a look. Although not as popular as the Toyota Camry, a used 2017 Toyota Corolla in good condition has many more miles to give the right owner.