How Much More Fuel At 70 Than 50 TOYOTA Corolla XI Saloon (E160) (05.2012 - ...)

Cruising at 70 mph in a 2016 Toyota Corolla Eco generally results in noticeably higher fuel consumption compared to cruising at 50 mph. Real-world experience and data suggest that fuel efficiency drops by roughly 15% or more for every 10 mph increase above 60 mph.

Fuel Efficiency Differences
At 50 mph, many drivers report fuel economy around 45–50 mpg on longer trips under steady conditions.

At 70 mph, fuel economy typically falls to around 37–42 mpg, depending on conditions, which is roughly a 15–20% decrease compared to 50 mph cruising.

This aligns with estimates that each 10 mph increase over 60 mph reduces fuel economy by about 15%, so going from 50 to 70 mph can reduce mpg by approximately 20% or more.

Real-World Reports
One 2016 Corolla owner reported consistent 42 mpg at 70 mph highway speeds, while others achieved up to 49–50 mpg at lower speeds around 55–65 mph.

Another user noted that EPA highway rating for the Eco model is about 42 mpg, which aligns with real-world 70 mph cruising figures.

Driving at 50 mph can significantly improve fuel economy on long trips due to reduced aerodynamic drag and engine load.

Impact on Longer Trips
Over long distances, maintaining 50 mph instead of 70 mph can save a meaningful amount of fuel, lowering running costs and emissions.

However, slower speeds increase travel time, so the trade-off involves balancing fuel savings against time.

Expect your 2016 Toyota Corolla Eco to use about 15–20% more fuel cruising at 70 mph compared to 50 mph, translating roughly from around 45–50 mpg at 50 mph down to 37–42 mpg at 70 mph. For longer trips, driving closer to 50 mph improves fuel efficiency significantly but increases journey time. Real-world owner reports and EPA data support these figures.

If maximizing fuel economy is your priority, keeping speeds moderate and steady is key.