Best-Selling Car in History: Toyota Sells 50 Millionth Corolla

In 1969, a Japanese company that had been founded to produce automatic looms introduced a small, simple, rear-wheel-drive (RWD), 2-door car that produced about 60 horsepower. Because it featured a 4-speed manual transmission at a time when 3 speeds were the norm, it was a risky move. There was some concern that shoppers might think a car that needed a fourth gear to get around must be junk.

They called it the Corolla. Shoppers knew Toyota mostly for its Crown sedan. Corolla was Latin for “small crown.”

12 Generations

The gamble worked. At some point last month, Toyota sold its 50 millionth Corolla.

It became the best-selling car in history in 1997 and has never been caught. Some purists may argue that the Corolla has been through 12 generations in that time, while the Volkswagen Beetle sold 21 million without ever changing design. But, no one disputes that the Corolla nameplate has appeared on more cars than any other.

It’s been RWD and front-wheel-drive (FWD). It’s been built in 14 countries and sold on at least six continents (we’re not aware of a Corolla in Antarctica, but it wouldn’t surprise us at this point).

The Corolla Today

Today’s Corolla is known for the kind of dependability that comes from… well… from being the most-produced car in history. You can get one with a 139-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. You can get one with a 169-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. There’s a hybrid Corolla good for an average of 52 miles per gallon. They come in sedan and hatchback form, and there’s a small crossover on the way next year that shares the Corolla name.

Transmission options include a 6-speed manual (pushing way beyond three now) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Prices range from a low of $20,075 for a reasonably well-equipped base model to nearly $30,000 for a sportier Corolla SE Apex Edition with all the trimmings.

They all share possibly the most bulletproof reputation in the automotive industry and the resale value that comes with it.

Toyota Corolla Through the Years:

1966-1969

Not sold in the U.S., the first Corolla used a 1.1-liter engine and either a 4-speed manual transmission or a 2-speed automatic to send power to the rear wheels.

1969-1970

With a minor facelift and a few tweaks to match U.S. law, the Corolla debuted in America with a starting price just under $1,700.

1971-1974

An updated version boasted 73 horsepower, but daredevils could opt for an 88-horsepower coupe.

1975-1979

The Corolla grew a bit in size but remained smaller than many American cars of the day. As the oil crisis hit, that made it a practical choice for millions of Americans. It offered a choice of 1.2, 1.3, and 1.6-liter engines.

1980-1984

With the crisis passed, a roomier Corolla with sound-deadening material appeared. Owners of top-of-the-line models could brag about 90 horsepower.

1985-1988

The first Corolla built in the U.S. came in the usual RWD layout for coupe and hatchback models or a new FWD layout for sedans.

1989-1992

By its sixth generation, the Corolla was a lineup all its own. Coupe models featured pop-up headlights. A Corolla All-Trac wagon came in all-wheel-drive (AWD).

1993-1997

Toyota dropped the coupe and went for practicality with its seventh-generation Corolla. With this model generation the Corolla became the best-selling car in history, overtaking even the venerated Volkswagen Beetle sometime in 1997.

1998-2002

With variable valve timing, the thrifty Corolla could now claim 120 horsepower.

2003-2008

With its 130-horsepower engine, the ninth-generation Corolla got EPA-estimated 31 combined MPG with the 5-speed manual transmission and 28 combined MPG with the 4-speed automatic. The center console box was slotted to hold 14 compact discs.

2009-2013

The 10th-generation Corolla included sound-dampening throughout and an upscale XLE trim with a moonroof and upgraded stereo. A sportier XRS model used the engine from its big brother Camry.

2014-2018

A CVT replaced the automatic transmission. Safety features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning appeared.