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 that balance affordability, efficiency, and features, making it a versatile choice for many drivers.

• Starting at $16,716
• 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

LE FWD — "Who It's For"

The LE FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded compact car without paying for extra features. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $16,716 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 325 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 sporty look and added features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $20,943 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 29 city / 36 hwy
• Inventory: 141 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 appearance and excellent fuel efficiency without a hefty price tag.

• Avg. market price: $17,213 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 31 city / 40 hwy
• Inventory: 6 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 a touch of luxury and advanced features without going fully loaded.

• Avg. market price: $17,213 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 29 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 8 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 sportier design and performance features without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $17,213 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 28 city / 36 hwy
• Inventory: 6 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 latest tech and luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $17,213 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 31 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 31 listings
• View XSE FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — LE FWD

With 325 active listings, the LE FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LE FWD

At $16,716 avg market price — below the lineup median of $17,213 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LE FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — SE Nightshade Edition FWD

With an impressive 31/40 MPG/MPGe, the SE Nightshade Edition FWD is the most fuel-efficient option in the lineup.

Browse SE Nightshade Edition FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Corolla cost?

Prices have softened 4.69% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,993 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $16,496.20, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Toyota Corolla earns a 4.43/5 user rating, and our experts give it 7.83/10 overall. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, excellent gas mileage, and reliability, and they also like how many features it packs in for city driving. On the downside, the expert review calls out noise and outdated technology, while owner feedback notes that the seat cushioning could be better.

For you, that means the Corolla makes the most sense if you want an efficient, easy-to-live-with compact car that still feels a little more engaging than the average commuter. The market also shows 29.6% good or great deals, so there are still worthwhile listings to chase.

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Owners rate it 4.43/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to reliability, and the expert review reinforces the Corolla’s reputation for being dependable and thrifty. It also describes the car as a cheap, dependable set of wheels, and the cost-effectiveness notes highlight Toyota’s free maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles.

That combination suggests the Corolla should be a reassuring used buy if you want low-stress ownership. Your main long-term risk is choosing a neglected example, so condition and service history matter.

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

At 62.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a collision or shows uneven wear. Focus on body condition, alignment, tire wear, and signs that safety systems or suspension components were repaired poorly. If you’re shopping a higher-trim car, make sure the added equipment still works as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: SE and XSE add sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a matching diffuser panel, a twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels, while the lower trims are the better choice if you want a more anonymous look.
• Powertrain: The SE and XSE use a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Dynamic Shift CVT; the SE also offers a six-speed manual with downshift rev-matching.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high beams. Rear side-impact airbags are also standard, while blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is available.
• Infotainment: Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM are standard. The SE gets an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE adds Service Connect, Remote Connect, dynamic voice recognition, dynamic navigation, and Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The XSE is rated at 34 mpg combined, and the review recorded 31.1 mpg on a mountainous route.

Which 2021 Toyota Corolla trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is offered in 3 trim levels: L, LE, and XSE.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the simplest path into the Corolla, and it makes sense if you want the lowest-frills version of the car’s core strengths: efficiency, standard safety tech, and everyday usability.
• LE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it keeps the Corolla’s practical appeal while avoiding the extra cost of the sportier and more heavily equipped versions.
• XSE: This is the trim to choose if you want the most upscale and feature-rich Corolla in this data set, including the richer infotainment and convenience upgrades.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard across the lineup, so you don’t need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance package.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,993 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.69% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $16,496.20, 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 $17,075 sits slightly below last year's $17,915.

That softer pricing suggests the Corolla is still accessible on the used market, which can help you buy at a reasonable entry point. For a future seller, that also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim appeal rather than on broad market appreciation.

The good news is that the Corolla’s reputation for reliability and efficiency should keep demand steady. Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.43/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla safe?

It earns a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2020 Corolla a five-star overall rating.

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 and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high beams. Rear side-impact airbags are also standard for 2021, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is available.

One caveat is that the earlier IIHS result depended on optional curve-adaptive headlights, and Toyota says the 2021 model needed re-testing after the new airbags were added. For used buyers, that makes it smart to verify the exact equipment on the car 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:

• 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.69% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.43/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds Android Auto as standard and brings a more engaging driving feel than earlier Corolla versions.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $16,563, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $17,075 average.
• It adds style and excitement to the Corolla formula.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,694, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $17,075 average.
• It mainly adds two new colors and broader configuration choices.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the cheaper alternative, while the 2022 makes sense only if you find a specific listing that justifies the higher average cost.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.