Toyota introduced the Corolla in 1966, and it arrived in the U.S. in spring 1968 as a 1969 model, starting at about $1,700. Gas cost $0.35 a gallon, and the median household income was $7,700. The No. 1 TV show in America was “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” and top hit songs that early Corolla drivers would have heard on the optional AM radio included Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” Simon and Garfunkle’s “Mrs. Robinson” and The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”
As the Corolla quickly evolved to offer more room, comfort and performance, it became a value benchmark in its class and grew into one of the largest branches in the Toyota family tree. The Corolla’s most significant role, however, has been the one it has played in the lives of the millions who have been buying and driving this dependable model for more than half a century.
The Corolla has been making memories and stories for nearly three generations of customers. That adds up to billions of first jobs, first dates, daily commutes, graduations, vacations, doctor appointments, weddings, kids’ ballgames… all the meaningful events that make a life. Even people who never owned a Corolla have a Corolla story to tell about one they remember a friend, neighbor, cousin or coworker driving.
Fifty million cars later, this pillar of the Toyota family remains trusted for being well equipped for any situation. For an affordable price, the 2022 Corolla combines advanced tech, sporty style and top-level comfort with up to 53/52/52 EPA estimated MPG in the hybrid model and the protection of standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 featuring automatic emergency braking.
Just as it did at the end of the 1960s, the Corolla today offers buyers the freedom and independence that comes from its affordability, along with confidence that a car can provide many years of reliable service with low overall cost of ownership. The 2022 Corolla line continues that proud and personal tradition with sedans, a sporty hatchback, a hybrid and the first-ever Corolla Cross compact crossover.
For the Corolla, dependability isn’t just about how the car runs, but also describes how it becomes a trusted member of the households it serves. It’s no wonder that a Corolla has long been the start of a “Toyota family”, with other Toyota models soon joining it in many driveways and garages.
