2013 Toyota Corolla Overview

2013 Toyota Corolla Overview

Overall User Score

4⁄5

Based on 1 review

Adding a new front grille for all trims and some chrome accents for the mid-level LE, the 2013 Toyota Corolla is born. Despite a mild refresh for 2011, the Corolla still looks, feels and drives like a dated nobody, but at least it's a reliable and well-constructed dated nobody that won't be a target for thieves. The Corolla won't bring on any whiplash bills from onlookers either, since its unimpressive style and hesitant road manners can be thoroughly appreciated in the 10 seconds it takes to hit 60 mph from a standstill.

To be sure, there are better compacts on the market for the Corolla's price tag, but they won't come with Toyota's record of reliability and smooth engine. Whether you're willing to sacrifice trunk space, power, fuel economy, technology, style, materials quality and driving dynamics for that reliability and quiet engine at such a price may be another story altogether. Where other makers are pushing the envelope, Toyota seems to be pushing expectations to the bottom of the barrel while charging a premium for its track record. At least the seats are cushy and comfortable and the cabin is uniquely functional and spacious for a compact, but such factors aren't usually on top of shoppers' lists.

Beginning with the most common demands, power from the 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder is a below-average 132 horses and 128 lb-ft of torque, resulting in that sluggish zip-to-60 time. The 5-speed manual helps acceleration matters slightly and likewise improves city economy by 1 mpg, but the equally dated 4-speed automatic knocks that economy down a peg to 26 mpg city/34 highway. That's respectable enough for most daily drivers' needs, but the 40-mpg competition blows it away on highway onramps, too. Should you need to stop once you've finally reached 60 mph, the feat will take 127 feet to accomplish—about 25% longer than the competition—but safety tests came back a stellar 4-out-of-5 in every regard, so if that isn't enough room, there's little reason to worry.

Space is a high point for the Corolla's cabin, but the trunk is a mere 12.3 cubic feet, though it does have a usefully wide mouth and split-folding rear seatbacks if you need a bit of extra room. Taller passengers may feel the compact-car pinch in any one of the 3 rear seats, but they have their own cupholders, door pockets and ashtrays to use while kicking back in a cushy bench reminiscent of a couch at home. You will have to opt for it or get the LE or sporty S for more entertainment than the L's default MP3-capable CD player with auxiliary jack pumping through 4 speakers, but at least that upgrade brings steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, iPod connectivity and 2 more speakers. Those desiring Bluetooth, satellite radio and touchscreen navigation should spring for the LE or S and upgrade from there.

Contrary to other makers' sport models, the Corolla S ups the ante only cosmetically, adding foglights, a sporty body kit, sport seats, unique steering wheel, spoiler, upgraded cloth upholstery and metallic interior accents. Overall the 2013 Corolla is a decent daily driver if you can afford it, but at the same time, if you have the money, it's worthwhile to give the competition a fair shot at winning your heart.