In this line of work, where you have the opportunity to try different cars almost every week, the default question is what’s the best or most exciting thing you have ever driven. The high-end luxury sedans and sports cars we play with are one thing, but when it comes to putting our money where our mouths are, it’s the affordable stuff that really makes a mark, especially if they back up their sense of value with solid quality and proven reliability. This 2025 Toyota Corolla L is one of those vehicles, hubcaps and all.

Back to not-so-basics

The Corolla L is as basic as you can get today. However, unlike basic transportation from a decade ago, it has features like power windows, air conditioning, ABS brakes, Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a back-up camera as standard. Toyota even includes their Safety Suite 3.0 package, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, and lane tracing. The only obvious giveaway you’re driving the most basic Corolla is our tester’s 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps. It wasn’t that far back when an entry-level model came with no power windows or air conditioning, and a manual transmission.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla L isn’t the most exciting car to drive or look at, but it holds a certain charm. It’s not visually offensive; the Corolla’s clean design blends in with everything on the road. If you want more visual pizzazz, you can opt for a higher-up trim or the Corolla hatchback, but this most basic Corolla L is perfect for new drivers, or those who need reliable transportation to get from Point A to B, or if you deliver for a living. Uber drivers rejoice.

Interior comfort and practicality

Jump inside and be prepared to bask in little more than the 2025 Toyota Corolla L’s cloth seats. There’s nothing fancy here, just a simple mostly black colour combo and a straightforward layout that’s simple to use and ergonomically sound. If you consider the eight-inch infotainment screen as high-tech, prepare to be wowed. Unlike higher-spec Corollas, the L uses two analog gauges with a small 4.2-inch display in the middle. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but don’t look for any heated seats or a heated steering wheel. You do get a six-speaker sound system, but it’s nothing to shout about.

Unlike the Corolla hatchback, there’s more than enough space for four adults to sit comfortably inside the Corolla L sedan. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom in the four outboard seats; a fifth passenger can squeeze into the middle seat in the back, but they won’t be happy. Cargo space in the trunk measures a respectable 371 litres. You also get a proper spare tire in the trunk, which is surprising considering most cars sold today make do with a fix-a-flat kit.

How does the most basic Corolla drive?

Toyota offers a few powertrain combinations with the Corolla lineup, but the L sedan is exclusively front-wheel-drive, automatic, and gas-only. Our tester’s normally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine puts out 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels via a CVT. If you want better fuel economy, AWD, and a little more power, you can opt for the Corolla hybrid. If you want a manual transmission and a lot more power, there’s the GR Corolla.

But the 2025 Toyota Corolla L makes do with its numbers. It won’t win any races, but the figures are in line with the competition and actually motivate the Corolla with some pep. There’s more than enough power to get off the line respectably, and you don’t have to work the Corolla L too hard on the highway to keep up with the flow. The suspension is built for comfort, working with the squishy high-profile tires to soak up potholes and other imperfections very well. Just don’t get too aggressive on tight on-ramps or twisty roads, or you’ll soon find the limits of the aforementioned squishy tires. The light steering and lack of feel doesn’t help here.

Fuel efficiency has always been a strong suit for almost any Corolla, and that carries over into the 2025 Toyota Corolla L. Rated at 7.4 L/100 kilometres in the city, 5.7 on the highway, and 6.9 combined, we met Toyota’s combined rating bang-on. This was much better than I had anticipated, especially with my mostly city driving and heavy right foot. Best of all, the Corolla L does just fine with regular-grade gas.

Is the Corolla L worth it?

Working out to $23,970 as-tested, this 2025 Toyota Corolla L is an absolute bargain. What you see is what you get; if you want extras such as heated seats, a sunroof, or a slightly bigger screen, you’ll need to step up to a more expensive trim level. But if you want a no-nonsense, budget-friendly car that’s great on gas, reliable, and holds its value, the Corolla L is more than enough. We may all want to drive the fastest, sportiest, and most luxurious cars, but living with them is an entirely different story. Living with a Corolla L is about as stress-free you can get.