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Subaru WRX vs Toyota Corolla

2026 Subaru WRX vs 2026 Toyota Corolla — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Subaru WRX

2026 Subaru WRX

Midsize CarsAWD/4WD
VS5 – 2Subaru WRX wins 5 of 7 categories
Toyota Corolla

2026 Toyota Corolla

Compact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Corolla is more fuel-efficient: 50 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $2,400 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Corolla (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Subaru WRX is the bigger car, about 12 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru WRX has had fewer recall campaigns (7 vs 43).

The two cars

The 2026 Subaru WRX is a midsize car offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,340 lb (4dr Sedan).

The 2026 Toyota Corolla is a compact car offered with 3 engines (1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 3-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 183 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,053 lb (4dr Sedan Hybrid).

Buying used? The 2024 WRX and the 2022 Corolla have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 WRX and the 2020 Corolla.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 3-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
50 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
53 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,350

Performance & space

271 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
169 hp
5
Seats (most)
5
183.9 in
Length
172.4 in
72 in
Width
69.3 in
57.9 in
Height
55.9 in
3,340 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
2,954 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
1
7
Recalls, all years since 2005
43
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
18

Interest

19,458
Wikipedia views, 30 days
52,279

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2022
2016
Year to avoid
2020

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Subaru WRX if…

  • You want more power (up to 271 vs 169 hp)
  • You want more room (12 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (7 vs 43 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota Corolla if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (50 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (12 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Subaru WRX

  • Strong performanceUp to 271 hp, versus about 169 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 29% below the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Toyota Corolla

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 50 MPG combined — 71% better than the average 2026 compact car (29.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Subaru WRX specs →Full 2026 Toyota Corolla specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →