2006 Toyota Corolla Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Expert review
A paragon of reliability, a refuge of simplicity, and as close as it gets to an investment in a compact car, the 2006 Toyota Corolla is designed to serve, and sometimes even excite.
It’s been four years since Toyota last redesigned the venerable Corolla, a compact four-door sedan known to be as faithfully dependable a new car as a good dog. For the 2006 model year, Toyota doesn’t mess with success, continuing to offer the Corolla in base CE, Sport, upscale LE, and performance-tuned XRS trims.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
Designed for function rather than form, a 2006 Toyota Corolla isn’t going to win any styling beauty contests. While some design cues remind of the Lexus RX, that’s not necessarily a good thing. And the strange bed-ruffle body kit on the Corolla Sport and XRS is downright cartoonish.
Inside, the Lexus vibe continues, but here this is a good thing. Hard plastic abounds, but the tasteful surface tones and textures reflect quality, and in the LE trim level, wood-tone trim adds a luxurious appearance.
Controls are laid out in a traditional no-nonsense fashion. The stereo knobs can be hard to grasp while wearing gloves or with dry fingertips, but otherwise the large buttons and clearly marked switchgear are studies in proper ergonomics. Everything works with a sense of purpose and refinement, too.
Performance
Most Corollas are equipped with a 126-horsepower, 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine sending power to a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a four-speed automatic transmission as an option. This year, the engine’s power rating drops a bit due to new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) testing methods. Fuel economy estimates land at 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 5.3 on the highway with the manual transmission, and 7.8 L/100 km city, 5.6 highway with the automatic.
The Corolla XRS has a modified version of the 1.8-litre engine. Like the CE, Sport, and LE, it includes variable valve timing. Here, however, two camshaft profiles allow the engine to make power specs of 164 horsepower. In order to take advantage of this extra power, you’ll need to know how to row your own gears, because the XRS comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. You’ll also need to rev the engine hard to reach maximum power output.
Quick but not fast, the biggest benefit of the Corolla XRS is its improved handling. With front and rear structural braces, stiffer suspension components, and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, a Corolla XRS zigs and zags as well as zips into the next postal code.
Comparatively, other Corolla models are docile, compliant, and well-behaved. You can tell the car is thoughtfully engineered and screwed together with precision, and while the driving dynamics might not excite you, knowing the car is unlikely to break anytime soon certainly will.
Form & function
Every 2006 Toyota Corolla sold in Canada has power windows and side mirrors, a CD player, cloth seat upholstery, a driver’s seat height adjuster, and a tilting steering wheel. The Corolla Sport adds air conditioning, more stereo speakers, variable intermittent wipers, sport fabric seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 15-inch alloy wheels, power locks with keyless entry, and fog lamps. Upgrade to the Toyota Corolla LE, and Toyota adds premium cloth seats, white-faced electronic gauges, cruise control, and fake wood trim.
The Corolla XRS builds on some of LE’s standard equipment and adds an over-the-top sport appearance package, which includes a racy body kit, a rear spoiler, sport seats with a fixed rear bench, a leather-wrapped shifter knob, and a power sunroof.
On a positive note, the Corolla XRS backs up the racy design cues with some genuine performance. In addition to its more powerful engine, it comes with larger 16-inch aluminum wheels, sport suspension tuning, a front strut tower brace, a rear structural cross brace, and upgraded 4-wheel-disc antilock brakes. Inside, the XRS gets larger seat bolsters just in case you actually do fling the car around a corner.
Taller people will not be happy in a Corolla. The front seat track travel is limited, and the backseat legroom isn’t terribly generous. There is plenty of storage space inside the Corolla, though, with a covered tray embedded into the dashboard, a sizable centre-console bin under the armrest, good storage in the glove compartment, and narrow but long door-panel slots.
Trunk space measures a generous 385 litres, and all but the Corolla XRS include a 60/40 split-folding rear seat that enhances utility.
Technology
The most advanced piece of technology in a 2006 Corolla is the variable valve timing with lift engine in the XRS. Used to improve the performance of an engine, it employs two camshaft profiles. At regular engine speeds in normal driving conditions, the low-lift cam profile operates the valves in an efficient way. Rev the engine hard and the second high-lift cam profile increases power through greater valve travel.
As for what you can see and use, well, a CD player is standard. So is an outside temperature display. But if you want a hands-free Bluetooth cell phone connection, you’re out of luck.
Safety
Toyota installs dual front airbags as standard equipment in the Corolla. Side-impact and side-curtain airbags are optional, and you’re going to want them because without this upgrade, crash protection is poorly rated.
In testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2006 Corolla gets a Good rating in the moderate-overlap frontal-impact assessment. Without the side airbags, the side-impact rating is Poor. With them, the score rises to Acceptable. Meanwhile, over at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Corolla’s overall crash-test rating is 5 stars.
You can better avoid a crash by getting the Corolla’s optional antilock brakes (ABS), standard with all trims in Canada except the base model.
Cost-effectiveness
Good things are rarely cheap, and that’s true of the 2006 Toyota Corolla. With prices starting at just over $15,000 for the Toyota Corolla CE, and with a loaded Corolla XRS rising to around $25,000, the Corolla’s value might not be readily apparent. However, years from now, when it has saved you hundreds in repair bills and is worth thousands more as a used car than some competitors, you’ll find it to be extremely cost-effective, indeed.
Note: Images show a US model.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2006 Toyota Corolla express high satisfaction with its reliability, excellent gas mileage, and affordable maintenance. Many appreciate its smooth drive and decent stereo system, making it a popular choice for a compact car. However, some drivers wish it had more power, room for belongings, and better sound system capabilities. There are comments about its lack of acceleration and a cramped feeling in the interior."
Reliable and long lasting. I like it. You can too.
September 9, 2025The car's features are fine , and it has an affordable price, but I see rust on both rear quarter panels near wheels, and that could be expensive to replace.
June 17, 2026Bought this car used in 2006 with 12,000 miles roughly on it and we are now just hitting over the 65,000 mile mark, having only recently taken it in for some brake repairs. I bought it to get me through college and it sure did! It got me through college, a couple road trips, and is now the family vehicle. It is safe, very reliable, fun to drive, gives me great gas mileage, the prices at the pump are always nice the couple times a month I need to fuel up, and looks great. My only issue I've ever had with this car is during winter months in MN. Regardless if my tires are new winter ones or not, I always have to be a little more careful driving on ice. I don't know exactly why, I'm probably just not a good winter driver, but there's my two cents about it. I adore this vehicle though as it has always come through for me and continues to prove itself as a great investment.
August 19, 2014What owners say
Reliable and long lasting. I like it. You can too.
September 9, 2025The car's features are fine , and it has an affordable price, but I see rust on both rear quarter panels near wheels, and that could be expensive to replace.
June 17, 2026Bought this car used in 2006 with 12,000 miles roughly on it and we are now just hitting over the 65,000 mile mark, having only recently taken it in for some brake repairs. I bought it to get me through college and it sure did! It got me through college, a couple road trips, and is now the family vehicle. It is safe, very reliable, fun to drive, gives me great gas mileage, the prices at the pump are always nice the couple times a month I need to fuel up, and looks great. My only issue I've ever had with this car is during winter months in MN. Regardless if my tires are new winter ones or not, I always have to be a little more careful driving on ice. I don't know exactly why, I'm probably just not a good winter driver, but there's my two cents about it. I adore this vehicle though as it has always come through for me and continues to prove itself as a great investment.
August 19, 2014quick speed, good build, smooth sound, good gas mileage, good maintenance, hugs the turns really well, shift gear is quick to change, just plain fun to drive
July 14, 2008I've had this car for a year now and I am more happy with it today than the day that i drove it off the lot. It is a great car. The gas mileage rivals that of some of the new hybrids on the market. It looks great, drives great, the stereo system is great (6 disc in-dash changer,) what more can i say, the car is great. I would recommend it to anyone who is the market for a compact car. (written 5 years ago, 10/06) Long term update - This car is what I expected it would be. It's cheap to maintain, cheap on gas, very reliable (only thing I've had to replace is a head light, tail light, and battery). It now has 104,000 miles and hasn't had any major problems. Some minor things inside like the clock stopped working and the storage flap on the dash under the radio is very loose, but other than that it's been a great car.
October 11, 2006Updated, 26June15. Now more than 4 years of ownership this car is everything I expected and more. A/C blows popsicles at idle. Uses no oil, no problems at all. 75k miles now and have spent nothing for repair. Only regular maintenance costs. No regrets. Test drove a new Corolla, didn't like it so much. The CVT is sluggish up to about 30mph but the 2006 was actually quicker and half the cost of a new one. No, it's not for the younger people. At 61 years old it suits me fine. Not a chick-magnet (like I care) but not a cop-magnet either. (I do care) Have already taken several one-stop 250 mile drives and the comfort exceeded expectations. 40 mpg cruising at 65 and 37 mpg at 80 mph. Decent Audio system. Still starts first time every time with a very short cranking time even at 15°. Still no wind whistles either, quiet as a higher-end car. Now planning on a very long road-trip later this summer, and have no hesitations about it. The 130HP 1.8L has more acceleration than one might think, a perfect blend of power and economy. When I have to 'put my foot in it' I can actually feel the VVTi kick on at about 4000 rpm. I am never in a hurry, actually a quite laid-back driver content to follow a slow truck on a 2-lane highway I frequent, US 395 in East Calif. But when clear, and the truck is doing 50, I can pass safely.
August 14, 2014Excellent handling and gas consumption. Has never given me a problem for the last seven years of use. Has a very good take off and acceleration...good breaks...very safe car to use at all times...I would surely recommend this to young individuals who would want a safe and reliable car.
July 26, 2013The first Toyota I have ever owned. Has a lot of room inside that from looking at the car from outside one would not expect to have. I bought it after extensive research on reliability, how it will hold it's value and fuel economy. The EPA Rating is 35/26 but I get better than that. I have measured it and got anywhere from 36 to 40mpg. Never have done a measurement "in town" One time in a very long trip I had a real nice tail~wind and got 44, Really! A bit under powered but you can't have it all, either economy or power. But For a 1.8L with 130HP it goes up a steep grade nicely, simply kick it out of Overdrive and it will tach at 3800rpm at 70 on a 6% grade and scoot right up no problem. It is very light, about 2500lbs and in a cross wind it gets pushed easily. Must be careful in windy conditions. I respectfully disagree with the Instant Market Value assigned to my car, as it only has 62,100 miles as of 12Aug2013 and is in mint condition
April 26, 2013Great price new. Overall it is extremely reliable and cost efffective. Only cost has been routine maintenance in over 6 years of ownership. Cabin room is good for a small car as is luggage capacity. After 6 years there is a bit of road noise that seeps into the cabin though.
November 30, 2012Great little economy car. Good mileage, drives well, fairy quick and nimble. Good room but seats are horrible for trips over 2 hrs and I am 5'11". Suspension is good, smooth. Fairly quiet, good stereo. Upkeep is reasonable but the dealer recommended unnecessary repairs.
April 7, 2010Trims & specs
Base MSRP $15,935 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 126 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 30 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $15,770 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 126 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 30 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $18,500 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 164 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP N/A | Seating N/A |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $14,725 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 126 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 30 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$14,725 - $18,500
Current avg. market price
$5,380
Price unchanged this month
October 2026
