How Safe Is the 2027 Toyota Corolla?

IIHS subjects each vehicle to three different crash tests and evaluates how well its forward collision warning systems help it avoid or mitigate crashes with both pedestrians and other vehicles, as well as how well its headlights light up dark roads.

The tests are scored on a scale of good, acceptable, marginal or poor. Depending on those results, vehicles can earn two awards: Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+. To qualify for the former award, a vehicle must score good in all three crash tests, and post an acceptable or good rating in the headlight and pedestrian avoidance tests. To earn the higher award, a vehicle must also get an acceptable score in the vehicle-to-vehicle collision avoidance test and upgrade to a good score in the pedestrian avoidance test.

IIHS tested both the sedan and hatchback versions of the 2027 Corolla. The sedan scored slightly better, but crash tests kept both from qualifying for an award. Below is the breakdown; note that in the following tables, NT means “Not Tested” and slash values indicate split results based on different equipment.

2027 Toyota Corolla Crash-Test Scores

Crashworthiness

IIHS subjects vehicles to two frontal crash tests and a side impact test. The updated moderate overlap front test simulates a head-on crash in which a vehicle crosses the road centerline and hits an oncoming vehicle. This subject vehicle impacts a barrier that covers 40% of its front end. The barrier’s deformable honeycomb facing recreates the crash forces involved when both vehicles are traveling just under 40 mph. For the test, crash-test dummies are belted into the driver’s seat and the backseat on the driver’s side. IIHS updated this test in 2022 by adding the rear dummy and again in 2024 by measuring the compression to the chest of the rear dummy and the position of the seat belt on the rear dummy.

This test was enough to keep the Corolla from earning an award. The Corolla sedan received a marginal score in the moderate overlap front test due to the chest compression in a crash and the rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics evaluation.

The small overlap frontal test approximates the forces involved when a vehicle driving at 40 mph veers off the road and hits a tree or pole. The subject vehicle hits a rigid barrier that covers 25% of the width of its front end. Both versions of the Corolla received the top score of good for that.

The side impact test recreates a T-bone crash. In the test, a stationary subject vehicle is impacted by a sled moving at 37 mph. The sled weighs about as much as a modern SUV and is positioned at the approximate height of one, as well. Dummies are again belted into the front and rear seats on the driver’s side and the vehicle is hit in that side. While the Corolla sedan posted a good score in the test, the hatchback scored only acceptable.

Crash Avoidance and Mitigation

For its front crash prevention ratings, IIHS evaluates how quickly a vehicle’s front crash prevention system detects hazards and warns the driver, as well as how much it slows down the vehicle or brings it to a stop to mitigate the severity of a collision or prevent it outright.

The pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation is conducted at several speeds and measures how well the subject vehicle can detect and avoid pedestrians in three scenarios: a child crossing the road in daylight, an adult crossing the road in the dark of night, and an adult walking in the direction of the vehicle’s travel along the road’s shoulder at night. The tests are performed with the high beams both on and off. Both versions of the Corolla received good scores here.

For its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention rating, the tests are performed at multiple speeds, and the subject vehicle is measured encountering a car, a motorcycle and a semitrailer. For both the car and motorcycle tests, the subject vehicle is tested in the center of the lane and offset to each side. Again, both Corollas performed well with good scores.

Versus Competitors

While the Corolla did fairly well in IIHS testing, several competitors did better. The Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, Kia K4 sedan and Nissan Sentra all earned Top Safety Pick+ awards, while the Honda Civic hatchback and Hyundai Elantra took Top Safety Pick honors. Like the Corolla, the Civic sedan, K4 Hatchback and Impreza sedan failed to earn an award from the Institute. All of these models play a similar role to the Corolla as thrifty basic transportation, though like the Corolla, the Civic and Elantra also offer performance models in the Civic Type R and Elantra N, respectively.

Read More About the Toyota Corolla From Cars.com:

• How Much Is the 2027 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Hybrid?
• How Much Is the 2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback?
• Why No Toyota SUV Earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2026
• With the Nissan Versa Gone, What Are Some Affordable Alternatives?
• The 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Is the Best Compact Hybrid Under $30K: Review

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