How much was a Toyota Corolla in 1988?
In the United States, a 1988 Toyota Corolla typically carried a sticker price (MSRP) around $7,000 for the base model, with higher trims reaching about $9,000 to $10,000 depending on options and body style. In today’s dollars that range equates to roughly $18,000 to $25,000, reflecting inflation over the intervening years.
Pricing snapshot for the US market (1988)
Prices varied by trim, body style and options. Here is a rough guide to sticker prices in 1988, before taxes and dealer fees.
- Base Corolla sedan: approximately $7,000–$7,500
- Mid-range DL/LE trims: approximately $8,500–$9,500
- SR5 sport model or All-Trac AWD: approximately $9,000–$10,000
Notes: These figures reflect factory MSRPs and exclude taxes, destination charges, and dealer fees. Actual sale prices varied by region and dealership, and some markets offered additional options that could push the price higher or lower.
Key price drivers
Trim level, transmission choice, body style (2-door vs 4-door) and the availability of AWD (All-Trac) or sport-oriented SR5 variants significantly influenced the sticker price in 1988.
Inflation-adjusted perspective
To understand how those prices translate to today, the 1988 figures roughly correspond to the following in current dollars, based on typical consumer inflation over the period.
- Base sedan: about $18,000–$19,000
- Mid-range DL/LE: about $22,000–$23,000
- SR5/All-Trac: about $23,000–$25,000
Keep in mind that inflation-adjusted numbers don’t capture changes in features, safety standards, warranty terms, or financing costs, and actual new-car pricing varied by region and dealer incentives.
Summary
In 1988, a Toyota Corolla in the U.S. sold new for roughly $7,000 for the base model and up to about $10,000 for higher-trim or AWD variants. When adjusted for inflation, those prices align with roughly $18,000 to $25,000 in today’s dollars, illustrating how the Corolla started as an affordable compact and evolved with more features over time. Regional variations and option stacks meant real-world prices could differ.
