What are the differences between the 2017 and 2018 Corolla models?
3 Answers
The differences between the 2017 and 2018 Corolla models are: 1. Different tire sizes: The 2017 model has 205/55r16 tires; the 2018 Corolla has 195/65r15 tires. 2. Different steering wheel materials: The 2017 model features a leather steering wheel; the 2018 Corolla has a plastic steering wheel. 3. Different seat materials: The 2017 model has leather seats; the 2018 Corolla has fabric seats. 4. Different infotainment displays: The 2017 model has a touchscreen LCD display; the 2018 Corolla has a standard LCD display. Both the 2017 and 2018 Corolla models share the same body dimensions: length 4635mm, width 1780mm, height 1455mm, with a wheelbase of 2700mm.
I drive a 2017 Corolla, and later had the chance to try my friend's 2018 model. I noticed quite a few changes after the facelift. The front-end styling is noticeably different—the 2018 version features a larger grille and hawk-eye headlights, giving it a sharper look. Inside the car, the biggest surprise was the addition of an electronic parking brake and rear air vents in higher trim levels, making rear passengers much more comfortable in summer. I specifically tested their safety system—the 2018 model comes with the full TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) suite. The radar-based adaptive cruise control in traffic is genuinely hassle-free, and it automatically adjusts headlights when encountering high-beam offenders on highways at night, which is far more practical than the 2017 model's basic stability control. The tire specs remain unchanged, but the chassis tuning feels more solid, with less vibration over speed bumps. If your budget allows, I'd recommend going straight for the 2018 model—the price difference in the used market is just a few thousand, and these upgrades are absolutely worth it.
Last week, I accompanied my relative to buy a used Corolla. The dealer showed us the 2017 and 2018 models for comparison. Starting with the tangible features, the 2018 model replaced the old mechanical handbrake with an electronic one, freeing up a sizable storage compartment under the center console. The air vents were redesigned for better angles, and rear-seat vents were finally added, improving cooling speed by at least a third in summer. The biggest difference lies in safety features: the 2018 model has an additional radar button on the steering wheel, enabling adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, plus vibration alerts for lane departure. Checking the maintenance manual revealed the 2018 model's service interval extended to 10,000 km, making it more cost-effective than the 2017's six-month requirement. The dealer quoted only an 8,000 yuan price gap—personally, I'd opt for a higher-mileage but newer 2018 model.
