Toyota Corolla fuel consumption
3 engines between 2003 and 2026, from 4.8 to 7.7 L/100km on the road — 2.9 L/100km between the two ends of the same badge.
At today's median pump prices, running the 1.8L 4cyl petrol instead of the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid costs about $914 a year at 15,000 km.
2.3 L/100km between the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid and the 2.0L 4cyl petrol
No two engines in this range sit on the same fuel within 0.4 L/100km of each other, so every choice here changes the bill. The widest single step is from 4.8 to 7.1 L/100km on the road.
9.2 in 2003, 4.8 in 2026
The leanest Toyota Corolla of 2003 was rated 9.2 L/100km on the road; the leanest of 2026 is 4.8, 48% less.
8 steps got it there, each one an engine arriving:
- 2006 — 9.0 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.2 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2007 — 8.9 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.1 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2010 — 8.8 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.1 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2014 — 8.5 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.2 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2015 — 8.0 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl petrol, taking 0.5 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2016 — 4.9 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid, taking 3.1 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2019 — 4.7 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid, taking 0.2 L/100km off the previous best.
- 2021 — 4.3 L/100km with the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid, taking 0.4 L/100km off the previous best.
938 km on a tank, at best
The 1.8L 4cyl hybrid has the longest legs of the range: 938 km from 50 litres, with a reserve kept back. That is Sydney to Brisbane (917 km) in one go, and Mackay to Brisbane (967 km) with one stop.
Fuel for that drive, at today's medians: 44 litres and about $113 in the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid, against 70 litres and $169 in the 1.8L 4cyl petrol — $56 between them for the same trip.
Second leanest of 4 passenger cars
At 4.8 L/100km on its best engine, the Toyota Corolla sits 0.1 L/100km behind the i30 (4.7) and against a class median of 5.0 — about 15 litres a year between it and the leader at 15,000 km.
Every Toyota Corolla engine
| Engine | Years | Real-world | Fuel | Per 100 km | Tank | A fill | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4cyl hybrid | 2016–2026 | 4.8 L/100km | ULP 95 | $12.33 | 50 L | $128 | 938 km |
| 1.8L 4cyl petrol | 2003–2021 | 7.7 L/100km | ULP 91 | $18.42 | 50 L | $120 | 586 km |
| 2.0L 4cyl petrol | 2010–2024 | 7.1 L/100km | ULP 91 | $16.98 | 50 L | $120 | 636 km |
Lab figure plus 20%, which is OTW's adjustment. Costs use today's Australian medians: ULP 95 $2.57, ULP 91 $2.40. Tank sizes are OTW's estimates.
Toyota Corolla fuel consumption by model year
What was on offer in each year the Toyota Corolla was sold, so a figure can be matched to a particular car rather than to the badge. Where a year lists several engines, both ends of that year's range are shown.
| Year | Engines rated | Leanest | Thirstiest | Leanest was the |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4.8 | — | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2025 | 1 | 4.8 | — | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2024 | 2 | 4.8 | 7.1 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2023 | 2 | 4.8 | 7.1 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2022 | 2 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2021 | 3 | 4.3 | 7.7 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2020 | 3 | 4.7 | 7.7 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2019 | 3 | 4.7 | 7.7 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2018 | 3 | 5.0 | 7.7 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2017 | 2 | 4.9 | 7.9 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2016 | 2 | 4.9 | 8.0 | 1.8L 4cyl hybrid |
| 2015 | 1 | 8.0 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2014 | 2 | 8.5 | 9.2 | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2013 | 2 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2012 | 2 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2011 | 2 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2010 | 2 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2009 | 1 | 8.9 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2008 | 1 | 8.9 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2007 | 1 | 8.9 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2006 | 1 | 9.0 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2005 | 1 | 9.2 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2004 | 1 | 9.2 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
| 2003 | 1 | 9.2 | — | 1.8L 4cyl petrol |
Real-world L/100km: the figure published for that engine in that year, plus 20%.
Questions
- How much fuel does a Toyota Corolla use?
- On the road, 4.8 to 7.7 L/100km across the 3 engines sold between 2003 and 2026: 4.8 for the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid, 7.7 for the 1.8L 4cyl petrol. Lab figures plus 20%.
- Which Toyota Corolla is cheapest to run?
- The 1.8L 4cyl hybrid, at $12.33 per 100 km on ULP 95 at $2.57 a litre — also the leanest in the range.
- How far can a Toyota Corolla go on a tank?
- About 938 km at best — the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid on its 50 litre tank, keeping a reserve. That is Sydney to Brisbane (917 km) without stopping, and Mackay to Brisbane (967 km) with one stop.
- Has the Toyota Corolla got more economical since 2003?
- Yes: 9.2 L/100km for the leanest 2003 Toyota Corolla, 4.8 for the leanest in 2026 — 48% less, in 8 steps, the last in 2021.
- Is the Toyota Corolla economical for a passenger car?
- Second of 4 on its leanest engine: 4.8 L/100km against the i30's 4.7 and a class median of 5.0.
- What does it cost to fill a Toyota Corolla?
- About $128.45 for the 1.8L 4cyl hybrid's 50 litres at $2.57 a litre, $119.95 for the 1.8L 4cyl petrol's 50.
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