5. Toyota Corolla: 239,638 Cars Through October 2012
The Corolla seems about as old as dirt, but Toyota’s little compact – treated to a few slight updates for 2012 – continues to sell incredibly well, despite the presence of newer, more stylish, and more sophisticated competitors in its class. Pricing, reputation, and fuel economy go a long way in luring buyers looking for nothing more than affordable transportation.
The Corolla easily meets our 30-mpg metric. All 2012 Corollas are equipped with a 1.8-liter I-4 and your choice of either a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. Automatic cars are rated at 26/34 mpg city/highway, while the manual ekes out one extra mpg in the city.
