In J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), Toyota (with its luxury offspring, Lexus) has consistently ranked at the very top for making the most reliable cars on the market. And this reputation isn’t something new and does not come as a surprise. The manufacturer has spent decades perfecting reliability to the point that coming across a lemon Toyota should feel as rare as spotting a Koenigsegg on the road. Toyota has become synonymous with dependability, at least for many owners.
So, when people look for dependable small cars that are easy to live with and won’t break the bank with maintenance, Toyota is often the first recommendation. Toyota makes a few small cars that have proven themselves to be highly reliable, while ticking all the right boxes that a small car buyer would look for. These compact Toyotas are practical, efficient, spacious, and just good enough to be a worthy pick. Here are ten such compact cars from Toyota that have a solid reputation for reliability.
2007 Toyota Matrix
Reliability Score: 83/100
The Matrix is a compact hatchback that was discontinued in 2013, but given that you can find plenty of them in good condition in the used market, it is worth noting. This econobox offers a practical mix of decent cargo space, low maintenance costs, and adequate power, making it an excellent beater car for around-town errands. And in all the Matrix model years, the 2007 Toyota Matrix stands out as being the most reliable of the lot, making it a terrific, cheap used Toyota small car.
Toyota Matrix Reliability
The 2007 Toyota Matrix is a highly reliable car with a J.D. Power “Great” reliability rating of 83 out of 100. Its 1ZZ-Fe engine has proven to be reliable, and unlike earlier models, the 2007 model year engines didn’t face piston ring issues. Still, look out for common problems like oil leaks and some electrical niggles here and there. Other than these common issues, the Matrix is a dependable car that can still last another decade with basic care and maintenance.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $287 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A
- Total Recalls: 2
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2018 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score: 86/100
The 2018 Toyota Prius is part of the fourth generation that arrived in 2016, and it brought various updates with it. Underneath its new futuristic design, it offered better handling due to a lower center of gravity and an excellent fuel economy of over 50 miles per gallon. Sure, on paper, it only makes 121 horsepower compared to the previous gen’s 134 ponies, but owners claim this car feels peppier to drive. Add to that features like Toyota Safety Sense and an updated infotainment system, and it’s easy to see why this model year is such a great package even today.
Toyota Prius Reliability
The third-generation Prius has many issues that were largely fixed in this generation, and despite not being the most reliable Prius out there, the 2018 model is still very reliable. Compared to other Prius models before it, it didn’t rack up as many complaints and recalls, except for a few common issues like the windshield randomly cracking or electrical niggles. If you want a relatively recent model-year Prius without spending a bomb on the current-gen model, the 2018 Prius is a dependable choice.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $408 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,360 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
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2009 Toyota Yaris
Reliability Score: 86/100
The 2009 Toyota Yaris belongs to the model’s first-generation facelift, featuring a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with either manual or automatic transmission. It came in multiple body styles, including a four-door sedan and three- or five-door hatchback. And as you’d expect from a Toyota econobox, the Yaris offers an easy-to-live-with package with excellent fuel economy and ease of maneuverability in the city. Its basic design, center-mounted instrument cluster, and abundance of plastics in the cabin don’t scream luxury, but the Yaris is still an excellent car if all you want is a cheap-to-maintain, spacious small Toyota car.
Toyota Yaris Reliability
Despite its age, the 2009 Toyota Yaris still serves owners without major issues, and it’s easy to find many examples of models crossing the 300k-mile mark with nothing but basic maintenance. Even the engine is known for its durability, and the automatic transmission on the 2009 model avoids the problems of the earlier CVT units. It’s a long-lasting car that will start every morning without any issues. Although those looking for modern features may find this Yaris model severely lacking, it is best suited for those on a budget or new drivers.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $299 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A
- Total Recalls: 10
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2010 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score: 87/100
The 2010 model year marked the start of Prius’ third generation, featuring an all-new design and a then-new 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain that raised the power output to 134 horsepower. As with older Prius models, this one still used front-wheel drive and CVT, but it certainly pushed the limits of what a Prius could do. It marked the debut of the first plug-in hybrid Prius, user-selectable drive modes, and Toyota’s first electric water pump and gas recirculation (EGR) system. The last of which contributed to raising the fuel economy to over 50 miles per gallon.
Toyota Prius Reliability
The third-generation Prius is not as reliable as other Prius models, but it’s still plenty reliable, especially in its 2010 model year. Still, it faced some major common issues, like the EGR system causing the dreaded Prius Death Rattle due to high levels of carbon deposits. Another major issue reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is related to braking loss. Apart from these problems, the 2010 Prius has proven to be a dependable Toyota small car.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $392 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,360 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 10
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2012 Toyota Yaris
Reliability Score: 87/100
Spend a bit more on the first-generation Yaris, and you can get your hands on the second-generation model, which ran from 2012 to 2014. This model brings a fresher design while retaining the older, bulletproof powertrain. It’s still the same subcompact car that is dependable, efficient, and surprisingly spacious on the inside. This generation also brought the much-needed safety features, which make it a better car to own today.
Toyota Yaris Reliability
Like the 2009 Toyota Yaris, expect the 2012 Yaris to be highly reliable, too. In fact, this model year in particular is often lauded for its potential for being a half-million-mile car and frugal running costs. Even the common issues aren’t so severe, including engine mount vibrations or minor recalls. The 2012 Toyota Yaris is the kind of car you can abuse all you want, and it will still keep running as long as you keep the fluids fresh.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $349 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A
- Total Recalls: 5
2007 Toyota Corolla
Reliability Score: 88/100
The Corolla is the quintessential small Toyota car that’s known around the globe for its bulletproof reliability. And here, the 2007 model year, as the penultimate year for the ninth generation, is a great start. It’s a spacious four-door economy sedan that offers a decent 126 horsepower from its 1.8-liter engine, along with standard front airbags, cushy ride quality, and a design that no one should have an opinion about. And the best part is that you can have this Corolla for as low as $1,000 in the used market.
Toyota Corolla Reliability
The 2007 Corolla isn’t the most reliable Toyota small car, but it has still made a name for itself as one of the most dependable sedans ever built. With its exceptional dependability ratings, a Corolla can easily last over 300k miles with routine maintenance. Then there are its low maintenance costs and lack of severe common issues. That’s the reason why the Corolla has been the go-to economical daily driver in many countries, including the US.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $247 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A
- Total Recalls: 7
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2016 Toyota Corolla
Reliability Score: 88/100
Fast-forward almost a decade, and the Corolla still remains one of the most reliable small Toyota cars ever made. Even in its 2016 avatar, it remains a straightforward and simple sedan with a 1.8-liter engine offering 132 or 140 ponies, along with a spacious interior and intuitive controls. With this Corolla, you can also enjoy some niceties like LED headlights, eight airbags, and, depending on the model, leather upholstery, cruise control, and much more.
Toyota Corolla Reliability
The 2016 Corolla belongs to a generation that is so unreliable that there weren’t any major issues to fix to begin with. This generation of the car even earned an average reliability score of 86.8, which is among the highest for Corolla generations. So, you can expect the 2016 Corolla to be generally trouble-free, except for some common issues with the infotainment and paint. For a ten-year-old car, the 2016 Toyota Corolla is the kind of sedan you can buy and not worry about maintaining it for the next ten years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $370 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,434 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
2021 Toyota Corolla
Reliability Score: 88/100
A third Corolla in a row? What do you know, Toyota has managed to update the Corolla through the years without ever denting its dependability. And the 2021 model is proof of that. Getting a redesign the previous year, this model features two engine options with 139 or 169 horsepower, offering up to 34 miles per gallon. One major update this Corolla brought was Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with all the other modern features you’d expect from a car today. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a dependable used Toyota that doesn’t feel outdated.
Toyota Corolla Reliability
Despite the solid reliability score, the 2021 Corolla has yet to prove its mettle over a decade-long ownership. Still, as Corollas go, this model shouldn’t be any different. Even the NHTSA does not report many complaints, and the only common problem owners raise is the coolant bypass valve breaking. Simply put, the Corolla today is better than ever, and with the manufacturer-recommended service routine, this sedan can keep running till it hits the half-million-mile mark.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $362 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,434 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
2009 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score: 89/100
Of all the Priuses Toyota has ever made, the 2009 model year is the most reliable, at least according to J.D. Power. This second-generation facelift model was very similar to the older model, but brought a slightly updated exterior design and noteworthy features, like a rearview backup camera and side curtain airbags as standard. Its 110-horsepower hybrid powertrain also offered a respectable 46 miles per gallon, which has been beaten by Prius models that followed, but is still good enough for everyday driving.
Toyota Prius Reliability
The 2009 Prius is the last of this generation and, as with many later models, Toyota has fixed many common issues that plagued the predecessors. So, this Prius faces fewer issues compared to older models, and even those reported aren’t as severe as they once were. It may look long in the tooth today, but you can still find many 2009 Prius cars running around with over 200k miles on the odometer. That makes it an excellent small Toyota hybrid car for those looking for something that’s both cheap to own and cheap to run.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $410 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A
- Total Recalls: 6
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2013 Toyota Corolla
Reliability Score: 89/100
Scoring a single point over the three aforementioned Corollas is yet another Corolla, this time belonging to the tenth-generation facelift, which might just be the most reliable small Toyota car ever made. When new, this Corolla was everything you’d ever want in a car. It was safe, spacious, and, with 132 horsepower, powerful enough to move you around in comfort. Add to that other features like standard keyless entry and aux input with CD player, which made the package even better. And in 2026, it could still be the only car in your garage if you’re looking for a small Toyota under $10k.
Toyota Corolla Reliability
The Corolla is often lauded as one of the most reliable cars ever made, and this model year can take a bit of credit for that reputation. It’s the last of the third generation with most of the issues fixed, including those that did drag down the Corolla name a bit. Thanks to this dependability, the Corolla has perhaps the highest potential to cross the 300k-mile mark on this list. It’s an excellent, simple, sensible choice that may not excite you, but it will, at least, never let you down.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $388 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A
- Total Recalls: 2