2026 head-to-head · Compact Car
2026 Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen GLI
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2026 Toyota Corolla is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,329 a year to fuel (35 MPG), versus $1,603 for the 2026 Volkswagen GLI (29 MPG). That's roughly $275 a year, or about $1,374 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Toyota Corolla
- Volkswagen GLI
Side by side
| Toyota Corolla | Volkswagen GLI | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,329 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,603 |
| 35 MPG | Combined efficiency | 29 MPG |
| 32 MPG | City | 26 MPG |
| 41 MPG | Highway | 35 MPG |
| 89 cu ft | Passenger volume | 94 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 254 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 307 g/mi |
| 6/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 6/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| CVT | Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen GLI across model years
- Toyota Corolla
- Volkswagen GLI
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volkswagen GLI has more passenger space (94 vs. 89 cu ft); the Volkswagen GLI has more cargo space (16 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 21 2026 compact cars, the Toyota Corolla ranks 10th and the Volkswagen GLI 12th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Toyota Corolla or the 2026 Volkswagen GLI?
Measured by cost to drive, the Toyota Corolla. The Toyota Corolla is rated 35 MPG combined and the Volkswagen GLI 29 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Toyota Corolla vs. the Volkswagen GLI per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,329 for the Toyota Corolla and $1,603 for the Volkswagen GLI.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen GLI, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen GLI in other years
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