Few segments are more competitive in the automotive industry than the compact sedan class. Inundated with affordable, fuel-efficient and value-packed options, the compact sedan segment is a fan favorite and the best-selling Toyota Corolla stands out from the crowd. Named the best-selling nameplate of all time and in production for 50 years, the vaunted Toyota Corolla checks all the boxes. Learn more about the Toyota Corolla design in this 2017 Toyota Corolla vs 2017 Ford Focus comparison.
Toyota Corolla models are available in seven value-packed trim levels – L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, XSE and a 50th Anniversary Special Edition – that can be tailored to meet your specifications. With a starting price that stands at just $18,500 and a smorgasbord of standard features, the Toyota Corolla will deliver incredible value at every turn. The addition of standard Toyota Safety Sense technology makes the Toyota Corolla an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ -- an accolade that the Ford Focus cannot claim. When you add a spacious and family-friendly interior with 13 cubic feet of cargo space, the 2017 Toyota Corolla is tough to beat.
What Are the Advantages of the 2017 Toyota Corolla?
A fun-to-drive design and frugal fuel-economy ratings are highlights of the Toyota Corolla and are key aspects of this 2017 Toyota Corolla vs 2017 Ford Focus comparison. Toyota Corolla models employ a standard 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with an ultra-efficient Continuously Variable Transmission to achieve 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. An upgrade to the fuel-efficient LE Eco grade employs Valvematic technology to improve power output to 140 horsepower and fuel-economy ratings to an incredible 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
Ford Focus models counter with a 160-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed dual-clutch automatic. Married to the five-speed manual gearbox, the Ford Focus makes a lackluster 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Drivers can upgrade performance with the addition of a fuel-efficient 123-horsepower 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine that makes a similar 30 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The performance-tuned Focus ST and Focus RS promise to amp up power, but represent a significant increase in price.
Value and comfort are key elements of the Toyota Corolla design that the Ford Focus cannot match. A spacious cabin provides 97.5 cubic feet of passenger space that features a best-in-class 41.4 inches of legroom for rear passengers. The Ford Focus may feel cramped in comparison with just 90 cubic feet of passenger space and a claustrophobic 33.2 inches of rear legroom. With a standard Toyota Entune 6.1-inch touchscreen interface, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera and Siri® Eyes Free technology, the Toyota Corolla delivers an elite level of value that the Ford Focus cannot match in standard configurations.
