2025 Toyota Corolla

WED - /wed/ verb- get married to. 

SHRED- /shred/ intransitive verb – to engage in a board sport with exceptional skill. 

Ventura, California - The board sport referenced in the duo definitions above honors the delicate, balance-driven exercise of surfing; a largely coastal hobby little practiced here in the upper Midwest but much admired. Squash and mangle the two verbs together to conjure up ‘Shred & Wed,’ a phrase happily denoting a one-time, October 18, 2025 autumnal celebration in Ventura CA, cementing a now, legally-binding nuptial between one Ms. O’Brien and one Mr. Timberlake; two love-struck left-coast shredders.  

Happy to report my significant other (said Aunt to one Ms. O’Brien) and myself survived the final cut, gaining access and an invite to the sun-kissed, family-and-friends affair near the breezy Ocean banks. But first, we required a dependable test vehicle to transport and guide us from the LAX warehouse north to coastal Venture after a long four-hour 36,000-foot-high air trek from ORD. We turned to a limited edition, 2025 Toyota Corolla FX black beauty for an enjoyably seasonable and scenic experience to the officially tagged, ‘Shred & Wed 2025’ festivities.  

Rather than schlep along a flimsy, multi-malleted croquet set or cartoonish ice bucket to present as a sorry wedding gift, this 60-something, ‘Really Cool Uncle’ instead brushed up his priceless ‘Shred Cred’ vocabulary to better astound, teach and pepper the impressionable newlyweds and fellow Millennials in attendance. 

Advanced shredders within this reading audience need little to no explanation of the verbal picture painted in bold below. Novices should refer to the convenient translation at the very end of this Corolla review to appreciate the gnarly words of wisdom this scribe happily gifted while referencing the nearby Pacific Ocean expanse. * 

“That grom snaked my hollow line railing his potato chip straight into a yard sale! What a kook !”  

Now back to our Corolla automotive insight… 

Think Corolla and one’s mind fills with a small, dependable, fuel-friendly transport that’s easy on the wallet/bank account with its comparatively entry-level mass market pricing starting in the $23,000 neighborhood. The basic formulas remains relatively unchanged since the late 1960s although size and grith evolved from a subcompact into a compact stature. 

The respected backstory gave way to multiple variants. Over the decades, Toyota’s introduced gobs of versions other than the traditional four-door sedan including hatchbacks, gas-electric hybrids, a ‘Cross’ version (a higher-ground clearance five-door option compared with the lower hatchback) and a performance nod (Corolla GR). In 2025, the conventional Corolla sedan arrives in four trim levels: LE, SE, XSE and a limited run, special edition FX.  

Our California tester this week, the front-wheel drive-exclusive Corolla FX special edition, sits closer to the ground than a traditional five-door crossover or other Corolla sedan choices thanks to ‘lowering springs’. Consider FX appearance-package upgrade of the mid-trim SE platform/trim. It’s a reliable, serviceable transport with a touch of stylish attitude. Don’t blink though as this FX sedan version kicks around only during the 2025 model year. In 2026, a Corolla FX five-door hatchback debuts in its spot.  

The worldwide success of Corolla can’t be underestimated. Since its successful 1968 introduction in the U.S., more than 53 million units have sold worldwide. That’s a staggering large number representing 18 percent of all the vehicles Toyota has ever made since starting in the automobile Biz back in Japan in 1935.  

The diminutive five-door Corolla FX edition builds upon Toyota’s TNGA-C platform and underpinnings employing extensive use of aluminum and ultra-high tensile steel. Seals in the body gap insulate noise penetration for a generally quiet interior experience.  

Darkened FX exterior highlights include blacked-out side view mirror caps, solid top with no sliding sunroof with black lug nuts, and wheels. The stylish rear spoiler atop the trunk lid edge also sports a noir theme while dual exhaust tips extend out from the lower passenger side. Eighteen-inch wheels include a seven-spoke design blossoming at the end with ‘Y’ extensions highlighted with a satin black finish. Three exterior FX edition colors include Ice Cap, Midnight Black and Underground all sporting a Midnight Black solid roof.  

Expect good fuel economy from the sole engine, an internal combustion 2.0-liter without assistance from a gas-electric hybrid or turbocharged boost. The naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder delivers 169 horses with 31 miles per gallon in city travel and 39 mpg highway. Anytime a naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) engine tickles the 40-mpg highway threshold in a non- hybrid format, it’s a noteworthy accomplishment. The 13.2-gallon tank fills with regular, 87-octane fuel. This engine powers all four Corolla sedans in 2025. Those seeking a perkier punch should check out the performance inspired, Corolla GR delivering 300 horsepower thanks in part to a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a standard six-speed manual.  

For those nonfans of electronic, start/stop engine technology (when the engine automatically naps during prolonged stops only to wake again once the right foot releases the brake pedal), this Corolla FX sedan bypasses the tech altogether by not offering it up in the first place.  

The FX two-liter four-cylinder engine connects up with a polite CVT transmission. This continuously variable design often combines with vehicles prioritizing fuel economy rather than a performance tilt through a system of infinite forward ratios rather than set number of planetary gears (generally six or seven). No manual transmission option is available.  

At lower speeds, the CVT struggles at times to match up with the ideal engine torque, creating an uneven tempo. It’s happier/perkier when pushing the pedal to the metal. Three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) select via toggle-like switch ahead of the tall-standing/easy-grab manually-sliding transmission shifter between the front buckets. The mode selected reflects within the seven-inch all-digital, easy-view colorful instrument panel.  

Starting price for the FX special edition checks in at $26,500. The only factory options, a $500 black roof and $530 Convenience Package, joining together a recommended blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, were added. A few dealer add-ons and $325 connected Services trial offer brought the bottom line to $29,369 including a $1,135 destination charge.  

All four side doors include convenient ceiling grab handles. Release levers opening the trunk and fuel door reside floor-side near the driver’s door. Electronic push button start resides west of the manually-adjusting steering column along the lower dash.  

A sizeable (for a compact) 10.5-inch, flat, touchscreen; extending up from the central dash up beyond the top rim; includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. No volume knob accommodates the larger screen. Instead, drivers must work with up/down volume buttons located along the bottom frame requiring a constant push. Better off with secondary steering wheel face volume control buttons. A smaller eight-inch screen arrives standard with the conventional SE trim and a flat, single, wireless Qi pad tucks under the central dash charging compatible Smartphones.  

A narrow, rectangular animation window along the lower central dash flanks with two twist dials monitoring fan speed and temperature HVAC controls with a half dozen push buttons between handling fan direction, front/rear defrost and cool AC.  

Manually-adjusting front buckets with Moonstone sport fabric materials/inserts piped with orange stitching nicely support the lower extremities and visually meshes with the two-tone interior. 

Row two backrests include a 60/40 split with top tabs enabling manual front folding and leading into a sizeable (for a compact) 13.1 cubic-foot trunk capable of stowing a couple of long flat surf boards. A convenient spare tire (not all rivals feature this handy perk) loads under the flat floor. The narrow, vertical floor extends up minimally allowing needed leg room within the confines of this compact structure. Two adults coexist nicely experiencing decent headroom within this framework; three may lead to an elbow-type rumble. A fold-down center arm rest with dual cup holders supports the two-adult directive. Two Type C plug ports found on the back side of the front storage bin/arm rest, with hinging at the back, assist powering Smartphones the old fashion non-wireless way.  

Fog lights illuminate at the front to the lower outside edges the sizeable sport mesh lower air dam. Front projection LED headlights provide ample night-time illumination accented by a long, brow-like top also servicing as the amber hazard/turn signal indicator creating a stylish front end. 

Corolla, as with just about all Toyota-badged vehicles, includes Toyota Safety Sence 3.0 standard. What does this translate into? Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, auto high beams, and pre-collision system with pedestrian detection along with an impressive ten air bags including front/rear side curtain bags. 

During the drive from LAX north to Ventura, the radar-style cruise control came in handy. This tech automatically keeps a predictable distance between the FX and vehicle ahead without touching the brake pedal. Lots of vehicles now offer this tech-that-works feature, once privy exclusively to the luxury segment. Of course, the airplane touched down long after rush hour ended, providing room to roam along the multi-laned 405 and 401 expressways. Braking remains strong while changing lanes and other quick-handling maneuvers remain responsive thanks in part to the FX’s tweaked electronic power steering.  

Toyota Corolla FX sedan circa 2025 remains a sharp-looking choice with a non-performance, yet acceptable powertrain identical to others within its compact sedan trims. 

As with most Toyota models celebrated during the past five years, Corolla FX includes ToyotaCare, offering two years (or 25,000 miles) of complimentary maintenance covering factory scheduled items (oil changes, tire rotation) along with 24/7 roadside assistance.  

Total Corolla sales during calendar year 2024 throughout the U.S. reached an impressive 232,908 units, a nearly identical figure compared to the previous year (232,370). Corolla ranked as the third best-selling Toyota offering here in the states surpassed by the venerable Camry sedan (309,876), a 6.6 percent increase from 2023 and the best-selling passenger car (i.e. non pickup truck) in the U.S., the compact RAV4 crossover (475,193 units), up 9.3 percent from the previous year.  

Does a 2025 Corolla FX qualify as a possible go-to selection for our ‘Shred & Wed 2025’ couple? Sure. Is the 2025 Corolla FX actually a surprise, eye-popping wedding present instead of pithy pearls of verbal gobbledygook from the ‘OK Boomer’ Uncle? Well, keep dreaming….California style.  

At a Glance: 2025 Toyota Corolla FX
Price as tested: $29,369
Engine: 2.0-iter, naturally-aspirated inline four cylinder  
Horsepower: 169
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Overall Length: 182.3 inches  
Overall Height: 56.5 inches
Overall Width: 70.1 inches
Fuel economy: 31 mpg city/39mpg highway  
Curb Weight: 3,110 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles  
Assembly: Blue Springs Mississippi  

*Landlubber translation from earlier in this report: “That young, uninvited novice boarder inappropriately and without prior authorization merged onto my well-formed surfable ocean wave balancing at both ends of his tiny, sissified surfboard. Now, he’s flailing about in the water like a fledgling albatross. What a complete buffoon!”