When you arrive at our dealership, you'll see right away that we have the 2026 Toyota Corolla for sale, along with its 2026 Camry sibling. For many drivers, picking between these two sedans is difficult. We certainly understand: both are great cars to drive, offering stellar safety systems, responsive steering, and intuitive technology.
What we want to do for you today is explain how these two cars differ, and in what areas they're similar, so that you get a sense of which one works better for your driving lifestyle. Neither is inherently superior to the other; each offers a distinct array of benefits. You'll soon see which one you want to take for a test drive once you visit us here. After all, knowledge is power, and we want you to love the model you get behind the wheel of. Let's take a closer look at these two Toyota favorites.
Both Are Economically Priced
The 2026 Corolla and the 2026 Camry are both highly efficient purchases, as they offer low starting prices for their respective classes. The Toyota Corolla has a manufacturer's suggested starting price of $22,725, making it a smart purchase if you have a young driver who is just going off to college or starting their first job.[a] Factor in low maintenance costs, and this vehicle is a great option when it comes time to buy someone their first sedan. Higher trims offer more features, including a hybrid option, but the cost does not rise nearly as much as expected.
The Camry is an excellent option for families. It's a larger midsize sedan, but it only costs a little bit more than the Corolla, with a starting price of $29,000.[a] This is a bargain when one considers its spacious seating and hybrid powertrain; like the Corolla, higher trims of the Camry are not much more expensive, either. This allows you to spend your hard-earned paycheck elsewhere as well.
Fuel Economy for Long-Term Savings
The starting prices of both these sedans are enviable, but there's more for cost-conscious drivers to enjoy: fuel efficiency. When it comes to buying a vehicle, the long-term costs are often underconsidered, yet the ability to achieve great mileage can result in significantly less stress on your monthly budget.
Both Models Offer Great Efficiency
The Corolla is available with both gasoline and hybrid powertrains. The ability to choose between them marks this sedan as distinct from the Camry, which is only available as a hybrid. If you're invested in mileage, though, then you'll want to opt for the Corolla's hybrid powertrain, a 1.8L four-cylinder CVT, because it offers 53 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway. This is great for new drivers, especially since they often lack the spending flexibility and need reliable mileage.
If you're particularly fond of a gas engine, then the Corolla will still deliver solid fuel efficiency, albeit not as impressive as the hybrid's. The Corolla's 2.0L four-cylinder engine earns 32 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. That'll outdo most other gas-powered sedans in this class.
The Camry's hybrid powertrain also garners aggressive ratings. Its 2.5L four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive gives you 52 MPG in the city and 49 MPG on the highway. Family drivers are big fans of this as it reduces budgetary concerns, allowing them to spend more on other necessities or even recreation. Knowing that there's one less stress on the monthly budget makes sleeping a bit easier, too.
Both Sedans Offer Enjoyable and Responsive Driving, but in Different Ways
A Closer Look at the Corolla's Performance
The 2026 Toyota Corolla is a smaller sedan, ideal for single commuters (although a hatchback model is available should you want more cargo space). It's great for navigating tight city streets, and its responsive steering makes cornering and parking easy. Being behind the wheel of this car is a relaxing experience.
There are additional driving features to enjoy, however, ones that give you a better sense of command over your sedan. One popular feature is Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive, which kicks into gear automatically, sending power to all four tires so that your Corolla is better able to gain traction in challenging circumstances.
The Corolla also arrives with three different drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal. Sport mode allows your sedan to really take off, while Eco mode focuses on maximizing fuel efficiency. Normal is a mix between the two. This gives you the ability to change the Corolla's drive to give you the sense of power and efficiency you're personally looking for.
The Camry's Driving Experience
The 2025 Toyota Camry is a bit larger than the Corolla, weighing a few hundred pounds more, so it's a slightly bulkier ride, giving you a firmer feel while driving, which some drivers prefer. It comes with the Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive. The ability to get more traction at a moment's notice makes traveling with kids less stressful because you know your sedan has your back.
The Camry also features an additional driving mode: EV mode. This enables the hybrid powertrain to operate entirely on electricity for short distances, saving you a significant amount of your hard-earned money and creating a quieter cabin, which facilitates easier conversation.
Here's How These Sedans Embrace Technology and Interior Space
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2026 variants of the Corolla and Camry share many similarities in terms of infotainment features. Both have available nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio Systems that make certain the sound in your sedan has you feeling like you're at a concert. Both also have touchscreens that are intuitive to use; the Corolla offers you eight and 10.5-inch options, while the Camry has eight and 12.3-inch versions. You'll also be able to easily connect your device to your touchscreen on both models, thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Using your phone's apps and accessing your playlist won't be an issue.
Both Models Are Equipped With Intuitive Safety Features
Both sedans come with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0, which provides numerous driver assistance features, including those that can take action on your behalf. In terms of safety, both of these sedans excel. This comprehensive suite will allow you to take advantage of intuitive features like a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Cruise Control.
Differences in Cabin Space
Where the two sedans start to differ, however, is with the build of the cabin and trunks. The Corolla's trunk cargo space is 13.1 cu.ft., while the Camry's is 15.1 cu.ft. However, you can expand the Corolla's space if you opt for the Enhanced Cargo Space hatchback, which gives you up to 23 cu.ft. of space with the rear seats down. This works very well if you're someone who occasionally needs to transport larger cargo.
When it comes to passenger space, the Camry has a distinct advantage, beating out the Corolla's passenger volume by about 10 cu.ft. If you opt for the Corolla's hatchback, the passenger volume decreases slightly more, further giving the Camry an advantage in terms of passenger comfort. This is why the Camry has earned a reputation as a reliable family vehicle: there's room for the whole crew.
Both Sedans Excel: Preference Comes Down to Purpose and Taste
Neither the 2026 Toyota Corolla nor the 2026 Toyota Camry is inherently better than the other. They simply have different approaches to driving. The Corolla is focused more on being a slim, nimble ride, with a very affordable starting price and the ability to choose between gas and hybrid engines. The Camry is more invested in being a family ride, providing more room and more bulk; it comes only in hybrid mode.
Some drivers will know immediately which serves them best. Others will still need to take one for a test spin so they can see how the Corolla and Camry respond to acceleration and steering. We at Toyota of Bowling Green will be happy to toss you the keys and let you take these sedans for a drive so you can make the most informed decision possible.