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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2012 Toyota Corolla

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Toyota Corolla

Overview

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2012 Toyota Corolla Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 5.8

The 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan continues to be one of the best known, best selling compact sedans in America. The 2012 Toyota Corolla's reputation for longevity is legendary, as is its high resale value and fuel economy figures. Yet over the years, Toyota has become complacent with the Corolla, allowing the front-wheel-drive sedan's design to stagnate, its features to become antiquated, and its core audience to grow much older. A major refresh in 2011 brought a more aggressive face and better wheels, but placed next to a 2012 Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra or Chevy Cruze, the 2012 Toyota Corolla still looks a bit frumpy. With cars like Elantra and Forte offering more features for the same or less money, and new performance models such as the VW Jetta TDI and Mazda3 Skyactiv delivering both excitement and 40-mpg fuel economy, the 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan will have to rely heavily on its merits, as well as the faithful legion who return to Toyota showrooms time and time again.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you've been burned in the past by promises of "great reliability" and "bullet-proof resale value," the 2012 Toyota Corolla should help rebuild your faith that some promises do come true.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for cutting-edge style or the latest engineering features, the aging Corolla platform with its 132-horsepower engine and 4-speed automatic transmission probably won't impress you. A Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 or Ford Focus is likely a better match.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

5.8
Driving Dynamics

5.2
Comfort & Convenience

6.7
Design: Interior & Exterior

4.7
Value

7.0
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#16

out of 20

MPG

#17

out of 21

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

8.5 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2012 Toyota Corolla Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Toyota Corolla L gains color-keyed power side mirrors, power windows with driver's auto-down feature, power door locks, and keyless entry. The LE trim gains steering wheel audio controls and 16-inch alloy wheels. The LE and S trims also get a new audio unit with MP3/WMA CD playback capability, a USB iPod interface, and Bluetooth connectivity for cell phone and music streaming.

Driving the Corolla

2012 Toyota Corolla Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions While the S trim is the most enjoyable to drive, all of the 2012 Toyota Corolla sedans deliver a solid, comfortable ride and no rude surprises. The S trim's larger...

wheel-and-tire package and available manual transmission allow it to at least attempt some fun on twisting back roads, but don't look for a lot of zip coming out of the turns, because the Corolla's 1.8-liter engine can't provide it. Again, as a standard mode of transportation, the Corolla does just fine, but any attempt to run with likes of a Mazda3 or even the new Honda Civic fall short. The bottom line is that the Corolla is a good, solid, front-wheel-drive commuter car geared toward those whose automotive choices are made with a more pragmatic viewpoint. Those who demand more from their ride than just solid transportation, however, will likely find more to like from the Corolla's many rivals.

Favorite Features

Tilt/telescopic steering wheel
This much-appreciated standard feature helps drivers of all sizes find a comfortable position.

USB iPod input
Standard with the new audio head unit on LE and S, this feature allows for control of your iPod via the car's steering-wheel controls.

2012 Toyota Corolla Details

2012 Toyota Corolla Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

While the 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan's interior is highly functional and very roomy, it falls far short of the styling and color offerings of its competitors. Dull gray or beige plastics, and gauge faces with fonts that look two decades old don't inspire much enthusiasm. Again, if you want to see a great looking interior at a sub-$20K price, look inside a Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus or Mazda3. The Corolla's rear seat offers good hip and shoulder room, but the all-important headroom and legroom figures come up a bit short. We do like the S and LE trim's 3-spoke steering wheel with touch controls, and the new audio unit is a definite step in the right direction. Standard gauges include a tachometer, fuel and coolant temperature, as well as a multi-information display that offers a clock, outside temperature, fuel economy, range, average speed and elapsed time. The 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan includes multiple storage bins, a split upper/lower 2-compartment glove box and four cup holders (two in front and two at the rear). Cargo volume in the trunk is a generous 12.3 cubic feet, but can be expanded thanks to the 60/40 split folding rear seats.

Exterior

It's not hard to see where Toyota went for inspiration when restyling the Corolla. The 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan bears an uncanny resemblance to its big brother, the Camry. Beyond its racy front grille and swept back headlights, the 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan is still rather pedestrian when viewed from the side, although less so in S trim guise. Features such as color keyed power side mirrors that appear on the base L trim are a nice touch. But, unlike its competitors, upper level Corolla trims don't afford owners such high-tech options as high-intensity-discharge (HID) adaptive headlamps, 17- or 18-inch wheels, or rain-sensing wipers. While the base and LE cars might not do much to raise your pulse, the S trim offers enough visual pizzazz to at least get your attention.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Get ready for the lists: The 2012 Toyota Corolla L sedan comes with standard air conditioning a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seat, color-keyed power mirrors, AM/FM/CD (SiriusXM satellite-ready) radio, outside temperature gauge, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, a driver's-seat height adjuster, and driver and passenger front, seat-mounted side airbags, traction and stability control and side-curtain airbags. The LE adds an MP3-compatible CD player, USB and auxiliary input jacks, Bluetooth, cruise control, and color-keyed heated side mirrors. The S has fog lights, front and rear spoilers, sport seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Optional Equipment

The 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan offers only a few options. A power moonroof can be added to the S trim, while both the LE and S versions can be equipped with a navigation radio and Toyota's Entune multi-media system. The LE can be equipped with the Premium Package, which simply combines the power moonroof with 16-inch, 5-spoke wheels, and fog lights.

Under the Hood

With the loss the XRS trim last year, there is only one engine offered on the 2012 Corolla: a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder good for 132 horsepower. This engine is great for reliability and economy, but, as would be expected, only so-so for performance. Driving through a choice of either a 5-speed manual or old-fashioned 4-speed automatic transmission, it delivers a respectable 26 city and 34 highway EPA-rated miles per gallon (automatic model).

1.8-liter in-line 4
132 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
128 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/34 (manual), 26/34 (automatic)

Pricing Notes

The 2012 Toyota Corolla starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $16,000, and the Fair Purchase Price, which represent what people in your area are paying for their Corolla, should hold very close to MSRP. An automatic transmission adds about $800 to the Corolla's base price. At nearly $17,000, the Chevrolet Cruze is a bit pricier, but the Kia Forte is nearly $800 less than the base Corolla. The S trim starts a bit over $18,500. On the resale side, the Corolla should hold an above-average value after five years, similar to the Honda Civic but substantially better than the Chevrolet Cruze and Nissan Sentra.

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2012 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 394 Ratings for the 2009 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

9.1/10

Performance

8.5/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.7/10

I have to say "I LOVE THIS CAR"! I bought this car

By buda (FL) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fun to drive, great on gas still stylish, roomy"

Cons: "did not get a sun roof"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have to say "I LOVE THIS CAR"! I bought this car a year ago with 19,000 miles on it and have been extremely satisfied with everything about this car. I have a 7 year 100,000 mile warranty on it but do not plan on ever having to use it. the car handles well is great on gas (34 mpg) on the open road can't complain about the mpg in city either. I traded an 07 Toyota 4 runner and don't miss the gas hog a bit! Now instead of putting $100 in the gas tank and driving 2 weeks I put $37 and drive 2 weeks. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to save money."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Not a bad car for around town.

By ArmyRetired (MO) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 32,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Looks nice, drives good and takes curves well."

Cons: "No comfort for long distance driving. NO ASHTRAYS"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"The car looks as good as it was new. Comfort from long distance driving is very hard on a persons back. Gas mileage (30 mpg) stinks for as small of a car that it is. I have owned others with much better mileage. It is a nice looking car, but it isn't all the Toyota Dealers lead on that it is."

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Great Car - Great Value

By FirsttimeToyota (VA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 300

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Price - Reliability and Total Package"

Cons: "Comfort of the seats, and storage in the interior."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I spent 6 months comparing this car to the Civic, Mazda3, Elantra and Fusion. This car was at the bottom for KBB.Com's expert reviews compared to those cars. After my review, i found that this car was a much better car with the total package as compared to the other cars."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Not the BEST choice

By Young (CA) on Wednesday, May 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Reliability, comfort, easy to drive, gas mileage"

Cons: "styling, steering, resale value, noises."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I made a review prior to this and it came out positive. After having this car for about 19 weeks, I'm starting to feel doubtful about my purchase. The car does make some noises from the center console because it is assembled by many small plastic materials which squeaks while driving through rigged roads. The car's steering does feel a little loose compared to my old civic but it does the job and react fairly accordingly. When I start the car, the transmission would get stuck at 'Parking' sometimes and I would have to press the brakes again so I can shift it. The gas mileage is great but it can do better. Even mid-sized cars have double the horsepower and almost the same gas mileage which is frankly embarrassing when comparing the corolla's Horsepower and gas mileage. The exterior looks aren't breathtaking and the headlights seem too skinny when looking it directly in front, facing the grille compared to the '09 and '10 versions which had sportier headlights. The body shape kinda looks boxy and suffice to say, "old" but I think it's just an ordinary pedestrian look that I see on so many Toyotas. As for resale value, the corolla does not have hold its value as well as some of the other cars in the segment. When I compare prices with the 2011 model, I noticed that the 2011 elantra, mazda 3, and even the civic all had better residual value because the corolla is notoriously the most popular car sold to rental fleet like Hertz and not as appealing as before. The car hasn't given me any problems since I took it off the lot. I also find the electronics easy to use and convenient like the bluetooth, touchscreen, and hands free radio control. In all honesty, I don't think I made the best choice when I purchased my 2013 corolla LE in January. Adding $700 on the budget to buy a civic lx would have been much more worth it solely due to its better resale value and curb appeal. I think the corolla isn't a bad choice though. It's just not the best choice as it used to be. I would recommend because the car is reliable as stainless steal and you buy it because you need to get from A to B without trouble. Not to mention its low cost of ownership. Other than that, I think there are a few cars that could do better."

3 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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just purchased it. love all of it. Value?

By Mill (FL) on Saturday, May 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "don't know if price was good. Need to know."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Just purchased it. Was at the dealership about 3 hours concerning price. Think I got a good price Just need to know if I overpaid or not. Thanks."

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The best fit and finish of any car I've owned.

By Richard (NV) on Saturday, April 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Well built, quiet, fit and finish gets a 10."

Cons: "The console is a bit bulky."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I really like this car. It's the quietest car I've owned; better that the three Ford Taurus's we previously owned; and it isn't bugged by nuisance problems, such as buttons falling off, or door panels coming loose. It is comfortable, well equipped and I get a lot better gas mileage than the reviews. I have a light foot and I squeeze every mile out of every drop of gas that I can. It's kind of a challenge to do it. I am currently getting 35 MPG around town and up to 42 MPG on a trip. The MPG readout helps keep me on track and I enjoy seeing those BIG numbers show on the readout. I haven't been on an extended road trip but I think I could pull 480 miles out a tank of gas if I really worked at it."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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