Most people probably think the best-selling automobile of all time is the Model T or Beetle. Nope. While Ford built over 15 million Model Ts and Volkswagen vended over 23 million Beetles, the ever-durable Toyota Corolla crossed 50 million a few years ago and kept on replicating. Whether you get the most affordable sedan with hubcaps or our natty 2025 Corolla FX, get a color you like because it’ll likely last evermore.
Think back to how much autos have changed since the Corolla arrived stateside in spring 1968. That first one cost $1,700 when gas was $0.35/gallon and the median household income was $7,700. The No. 1 TV show was “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In”. Songs played on the optional AM radio included Simon and Garfunkle’s “Mrs. Robinson” and The Beatles “Hey Jude.”
Even back then, the Corolla was stylish, roomy, relatively luxurious, and building a reputation for longevity. You could beat the snot out of them and they would just keep running – quite unlike domestic compacts of the era. When the October 1973 Oil Embargo hit, Americans embraced the Corolla and never looked back.
I already found this generation Corolla fairly fetching with its arched roof, sculpted fenders, and angry visage that cues from the Camry and Prius. It looks sophisticated. Beyond a lowered suspension to give it a more aggressive stance, FX trim adds black rockers, roof, badging, and mirror caps. Chrome exhaust outlets, 18” machined satin black wheels, and black rear spoiler are overkill, but add delicious spice to this biscuit.
Corollas have always enjoyed interiors nicer than they deserve and this one’s is no exception. Sweeping layers of orange-stitched plushitude, sporty gray cloth seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel welcome passengers. Front doors are soft-touch, rear doors hard plastic. Climate control is one zone, but is automatic. A super intuitive 10.5” screen sprouts from the dash to control devices wirelessly connected through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Charge wirelessly in the console. We’re way past AM radios!
While the FX looks like it would tear up a track packing a turbo, it doesn’t. Instead, it runs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 169 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. Thanks partly to the continuously variable transmission and front-drive, it achieves 31/39-MPG city/highway. Run 0-60 mph in under 8.5 seconds, but expect plenty of rev noise as the CVT holds gear ratios.
None of that is especially exciting, but the 1968 Corolla made due with just 70 horsepower to run 0-60 mph in a lethargic 17 seconds. Today’s Corolla would have matched period Cadillacs!
Corollas always provide a compliant ride, even over rough pavement, but the FX improves handling with sport suspension tuning. Honestly, there’s very little difference from behind the vague steering wheel. I’d prefer the refinement of an independent rear suspension, but the torsion beam is well behaved. The FX looks cool, but check out the GR Corolla’s 300 horsepower turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive for legit fun.
Being affordable doesn’t forego safety as the Corolla FX came with automatic emergency braking, radar adaptive cruise, blind spot warning, lane tracing assist, and rear cross traffic alert.
All this, and a window sticker that will make you laugh. Base models start at just $22,325 with our sporty FX coming to $29,728. Given the Corolla’s renowned durability, that’s an incredible value, compared against the Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, Nissan Sentra, VW Jetta, and Kia K4.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.