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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Toyota Corolla

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Overview

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2013 Toyota Corolla Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 5.7

The 2013 Toyota Corolla sedan is the current incarnation of the best-selling automobile ever. It continues to be one of the most familiar - if not exactly most popular - compact sedans in America. The Corolla's reputation is built on legendary longevity, low fuel consumption and high resale value. But has Toyota become complacent with it? Despite a major refresh in 2011 and new grille trim for 2013, placed next to a Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra or Chevy Cruze, the Toyota Corolla looks frumpy and plain. More features are available for comparable money, and the VW Jetta TDI and Mazda3 Skyactiv deliver more driving excitement plus 40-mpg fuel economy. The Corolla relies on the faithful shoppers who march into Toyota showrooms year after year.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you've been burned in the past by promises of "great reliability" and "excellent resale value," the 2013 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 features, the aging Corolla platform with its 132-horsepower engine and 4-speed automatic transmission probably won't excite you. A Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3 or Ford Focus is likely a better match.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

5.7
Driving Dynamics

5.1
Comfort & Convenience

6.6
Design: Interior & Exterior

4.6
Value

6.9
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#10

out of 13

MPG

#11

out of 13

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.5 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2013 Toyota Corolla Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The 2013 Toyota Corolla gets a mild restyle of the grille (thin chrome strips) and some shuffling of equipment packages. It is offered in the same three trim levels: Base L, mid-level LE and top-line S.

Driving the Corolla

2013 Toyota Corolla Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions While the S trim is the most enjoyable to drive, all of the 2013 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 corners, because the Corolla's 1.8-liter engine can't provide much. As basic transportation for those with pragmatic automotive tastes, the quiet, soft-riding Corolla does just fine. But the lazy responses make a Mazda3 or Honda Civic seem quite sporty. And the Corolla's fuel economy, though good, is hardly class-leading.

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 audio head unit on the LE and S, and optional on the L, this feature allows for control of your iPod via buttons on the car's steering wheel.

2013 Toyota Corolla Details

2013 Toyota Corolla Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

While the 2013 Toyota Corolla sedan's interior is highly functional and very roomy, it falls far short of the styling and color offerings of some if its less-conservative competitors. Gray or beige plastics and dated-looking gauge faces don't inspire the same enthusiasm as the interior of 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. Cargo volume in the trunk is a useful 12.3 cubic feet and can be expanded thanks to the 60/40-split folding rear seats.

Exterior

The Toyota family resemblance runs strong in the Corolla, which may be good or bad. Swept-back headlights and a racy grille (with new chrome highlights for 2013) don't keep the side view from looking pretty pedestrian, but this car is not aimed at exhibitionists. The S trim level injects a little visual excitement, with 16-inch alloy wheels (17s optional), rear spoiler and lower-body add-ons.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Get ready for the lists: The 2013 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, traction and stability control, and driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side airbags and side-curtain airbags. The LE adds an MP3-compatible CD player, USB and auxiliary input jacks, Bluetooth, cruise control and heated side mirrors. The S has fog lights, front and rear spoilers, sport seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Optional Equipment

The 2013 Toyota Corolla 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 nav-screen audio system and Toyota's Entune multi-media system. Those two higher trim levels also offer Premium Packages that bundle such extras as the moonroof, bigger alloy wheels, fog lights, power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic climate control and halogen headlights.

Under the Hood

The lone engine fitted to the 2013 Corolla is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder good for 132 horsepower. Transmission choices are a 5-speed manual or old-tech 4-speed automatic. Performance is only average in terms of acceleration, but noise and vibration levels are good, as is expected reliability. This engine delivers EPA fuel-economy numbers that are respectable, if not exactly standard-setting for the class: 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway for the manual gearbox, and 26/34 for the automatic.

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

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Toyota Corolla starts at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $17,000 for an L model, $19,000 for an S. The automatic transmission adds about $800. Our Fair Purchase Price, which represents what people in your area are actually paying, should hold very close to MSRP. At a starting price near $17,500, the Chevrolet Cruze is a little pricier; the Kia Forte is significantly less, at just under $16,000 to start. The Corolla should hold an above-average retained value after five years, similar to the Honda Civic and substantially better than the Chevrolet Cruze and Nissan Sentra.

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2013 Toyota Corolla Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 405 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

Best car

By Kathy (TX) on Wednesday, July 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 45,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Great gas mileage, handles well, fun to drive"

Cons: "not much leg room in back"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I've always love Corolla's, they get good gas mileage, easy to drive and handles well for a small car. Could use better leg room in back though but good for small children."

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Best compact car

By Sanajcs (International) on Wednesday, July 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "great price"

Cons: "poor interior"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"Overall, Corolla 2013 is a good compact car for a small family. It's interior is poor and is old fashioned, plus it has enough road noise (you may also experience a minor rattling sound in 2013 models). The cabin space is satisfactory. The engine has limited power (my one is 1.6L with 124HP)."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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I have never been disappointed in a Toyota!

By Dan (TX) on Saturday, July 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1

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: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Plenty of room, handles great, fun to drive."

Cons: "Doesn't like ethanol."

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

"I am 6' 9" tall, and this car gives me enough room all the way around, except where the console is at my right knee. Even that is a minor inconvenience. The only mechanical issues were the recalls that were promptly fixed. Simple to change your own oil. Drives great. I have seen people complaining about how sensitive the steering is, and I would be surprised if it were not sensitive! My only complaint is that it does not like the ethanol blend gas, especially when the AC is running. But that is not the fault of the car, that is the fault of the government that mandates ethanol. I would recommend this car to anyone."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Love it!!!

By B (MO) on Saturday, July 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,000

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: "Great gas mileage, Bluetooth,touch screen radio"

Cons: "Headlights don't turn off automatically"

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

"I got a 2013 Corolla in February '13. It's my first car and I love it! I have the Corolla S with the Premium Package because I wanted a sunroof! I love everything about this car! Comfy, sporty, stylish, easy to park, good visibility, Toyota quality, Bluetooth, touch screen, great seats, 8 cup holders, huge trunk, double glove box compartment, auxiliary and USB port, armrest storage. 30mpg, sunroof, pretty, awesome P.Pkg. wheels, free Toyota oil changes...!!!"

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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cute car, Gas 32.7 per mile, Audio stinks

By ladygray (FL) on Thursday, July 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Gas milage"

Cons: "Audio and no back up camera"

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

"We've had the car less than a Month, our Local FM stations fade in and out. Dealer put new radio in and the same thing, so today they put a new Rear window in that has the Antenna and it's the same! Their explanation is that Local FM stations have not updated their signals. IF that is true, why had I not had any problems with my 2011 RAV 4, and friends that have Camry's don't have that problem? They suggested I use the USB with my own music! I miss my back up camera! Hard to rate completely, since we just got the car."

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Worst feeling best car ever???

By High milage (NY) on Wednesday, July 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 53,500

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 4/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 3/10
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "Good on Gas and like heated mirrors"

Cons: "no leg room seats are uncomfortable interiors chep"

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

"6'3" tall i feel to big and very uncomfortable in the car. I had a 2006 S model that i loved and fit in but this base model is the worst in comfort and convience and i cant wait to save a few bucks and trade it for something better. The quality of the car seems to have gotten worse not better. I am waiting to see if the manual trans. falls apart at 130K miles like my 2006 did although i put 3 trans. in that one finally ending with a 6 speed trans. when the car got totaled in a deer hit on the highway and now its only gas milage keeping me here???"

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