Used 2021 Toyota Corolla for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Toyota Corolla Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2021 Toyota Corolla offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more feature-rich models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $15,999
• Best MPG/MPGe: 31 city / 40 hwy
• Most Popular: LE FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

L FWD — "Who It's For"

The L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $17,310 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 11 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View L FWD listings

LE FWD — "Who It's For"

The LE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded compact car with a great mix of features and affordability.

• Avg. market price: $16,970 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 437 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LE FWD listings

SE FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sportier driving experience without stepping up to a higher price point.

• Avg. market price: $20,249 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 29 city / 36 hwy
• Inventory: 174 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View SE FWD listings

SE Nightshade Edition FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE Nightshade Edition FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish look combined with excellent fuel efficiency.

• Avg. market price: $19,882 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 31 city / 40 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE Nightshade Edition FWD listings

XLE FWD — "Who It's For"

The XLE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features at an accessible price point without going over budget.

• Avg. market price: $15,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 29 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View XLE FWD listings

SE Apex FWD — "Who It's For"

The SE Apex FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty compact with enhanced performance features without a luxury price tag.

• Avg. market price: $18,536 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 36 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View SE Apex FWD listings

XSE FWD — "Who It's For"

The XSE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a fully loaded compact car with all the premium features for a comfortable ride.

• Avg. market price: $17,310 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 31 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 40 listings
• View XSE FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LE FWD

With 437 active listings, the LE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — XLE FWD

At $15,999 avg market price — below the lineup median of $17,310 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse XLE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — SE Nightshade Edition FWD

The SE Nightshade Edition FWD offers the best fuel efficiency at 31/40 MPG/MPGe.

Browse SE Nightshade Edition FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Corolla cost?

Prices have softened 3.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,305 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota Corolla earns a 4.4/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, excellent gas mileage, and reliability, and they also like the amount of features packed into the car for city driving. The expert review also frames it as a more engaging compact car than the Corolla nameplate usually suggests, especially in SE and XSE form.

The trade-offs are that it can be noisy and its technology feels outdated. Even so, if you want a compact sedan that blends everyday practicality with a sportier personality, this year’s Corolla fits that use case well. With 30.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still meaningful room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Owners rate it 4.4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to reliability, and it also highlights the car’s dependable, trouble-free reputation. The expert review reinforces that theme by describing the Corolla as cheap, dependable, and thrifty, with a reputation for bulletproof reliability.

Toyota also includes a free maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical reputation and more about finding a well-kept example with consistent service history.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Corolla?

At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you buy and prioritize any listing with a clean record. A pre-purchase inspection is also worth it, especially if you’re comparing cars with similar prices but different condition histories. Focus on wear items, interior condition, and evidence of consistent maintenance so you can separate a good deal from a neglected one.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE and XSE add sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a matching diffuser panel, a subtle body kit, a twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels, while the L, LE, and XLE are the more anonymous choices. The SE is the better value if you want the sportier look without stepping all the way up to the XSE.
• Powertrain: The SE and XSE use a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a Dynamic Shift CVT, paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode. A six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev-matching is available with SE trim.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear side-impact airbags are standard, and blind-spot warning gains rear cross-traffic warning functionality.
• Infotainment: The Corolla includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SE gets an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE adds Service Connect and Remote Connect, plus dynamic voice recognition, dynamic navigation, and Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The XSE is rated at 34 mpg in combined driving, and the review’s test route returned 31.1 mpg.

Which 2021 Toyota Corolla trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is offered in 4 trim levels: L, LE, XLE, SE.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the simplest path into the Corolla lineup if you want the lowest-frills version and are mainly focused on basic transportation.
• LE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it keeps the Corolla’s core strengths while avoiding the higher cost of the sportier grades.
• XLE: Choose this if you want a more comfort-oriented Corolla and are willing to pay more for a nicer-feeling daily driver.
• SE: This is the trim to get if you want the Corolla’s sportier styling and the most engaging personality, and it’s also the best choice if you want the manual transmission.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard across the lineup, so even the lower trims get a strong safety foundation.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Corolla?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,305 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,496, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Corolla's resale value?

The current average of $17,037 sits slightly below last year's $17,592.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future resale will depend heavily on how well the car is maintained and presented. If you keep mileage reasonable and preserve condition, you’ll be better positioned when it’s time to sell. A clean history and strong service records should matter more to future buyers than small trim differences.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.4/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla safe?

The 2021 Corolla earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and the 2020 model earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rear side-impact airbags are also standard, and the available blind-spot warning system adds rear cross-traffic warning.

One caveat is that Toyota added two new airbags for 2021, so the vehicle needed re-testing before new ratings could be assigned. That means you should still verify the exact equipment on any used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Corolla or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.16% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a sportier personality, standard advanced safety features, and a manual transmission option.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,630, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $17,037 average.
• It adds style and excitement to a practical compact sedan.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,468, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $17,037 average.
• It broadens the lineup with sedan and hatchback choices plus more powertrain variety.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and a more engaging Corolla personality, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the 2020 is the value play; if you want more configuration flexibility, look to the 2022.

How does the 2021 Toyota Corolla compare to the 2021 Honda Civic?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Corolla:

• Pros: Standard advanced safety features, Fun to drive, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Noisy, Outdated technology.

2021 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple body styles, Fun to drive.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology, Interior materials feel cheap.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Corolla 7.8/10 and the 2021 Honda Civic 7.2/10. The Corolla has the edge if you want standard safety features and a manual transmission, while the Civic stands out for its styling and body-style variety. Both have outdated technology, so your choice comes down to whether you value the Corolla’s safety-and-value mix or the Civic’s broader appeal.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.