For more than 40 years, the Toyota Corolla has offered consumers a reliable, affordable vehicle. But even with a mild “reboot” in last year's model, the 2012 Corolla fails to deliver much spark. Sure, the Base L trim now has a few more standard features that were once reserved for premium trims, such as keyless entry, power windows and a USB audio port.
But, like a 40-plus-year marriage, the Corolla's just not sexy anymore. Or was it ever? It’s hard to remember. Over the years, its slightly unique exterior has slowly lost its shape and become a generic sedan, albeit one with a selection of vibrant metallic finishes.
In addition to the Base L trim, you can upgrade to the LE and get 16-inch wheels and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls; the LE also offers optional integrated fog lamps, a moonroof and a touchscreen for the music system, a first for the car. The sportier S model includes double-stitched seats. Both the Base and S come standard with a 5-speed transmission; the LE comes equipped with 4-speed automatic.
Inside is nothing to get excited about, really. It’s a standard Toyota interior – on the plus side, you’ll keep your eyes on the road and won’t be distracted by funky looking gadgets. As a sign of the changing way we listen to music, an AM/FM radio is not included as a standard feature. And bowing perhaps to consumer pressure, the 2012 re-instates center-console side pockets removed in 2011, a nifty and convenient way to keep the car clutter-free.
And you didn’t really marry her for her looks, did you? Of course not! Toyota makes cars that run hundreds of thousands of miles. Aside from recent recalls, owners trumpet the reliability of their ‘Rollas time and time again. This is a commuter car, not a sports car, and its performance reflects that. Safe, comfortable, smooth. Equipped with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 132 hp, 128 lb-ft of torque and front-wheel drive, the car’s performance isn’t going to take anybody’s breath away. But it’s quiet, even on the highway. Issues with underperformance in the steering, however, continue to plague the car.
Toyota is big on “safe,” with 6 standard airbags and Vehicle Safety Control. A Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the car did especially well in front and rollover crashes, although it was rated lower in side crashes.
Problem is, there are many other choices in the Corolla's class and price range that are roomier, more powerful and more fun to drive. All trims except the S seem to lack the zip of other cars in their class. And its 26 mpg city/33 highway rating doesn’t excite. This is not a car you’re going to take home to Mom (okay, an end to marriage analogies).
Toyota delivers a solid and dependable, albeit underwhelming, sedan at a reasonable, if not enviable, price. Sometimes, that’s just what a driver needs.
My 2012 Toyota Corolla S won't start after coming out of the store. When I turn the key it clicks only once and the dash lights still come on. We've replaced the battery and cleaned the terminal cables, we've replaced the starter, replaced the starter relay, and replaced the engine crankshaft. My car still won't start even after replacing all of this. What else are we missing?
Puddle of water on my rear left floorboard after a rain, a very heavy rain. I was rear ended two years ago and since then noticed a musty smell once or twice but with the recent heavy rains there’s a consistent puddle of water.
Yestesday my toyota corolla sport 2012 was runing fine. This morning whe I star the car the check engine and the trac off light came on. The motor start shacking like it want to turn off? I review the gas cap to be sure that was close properly and disconect for a few minutes the battery. Restart the car again and nothing happens. Stay the same.
Is the track off a d engine light stop my Corolla from excelerating?
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Grille color: body-color surround · Mirror color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.40
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Grille color: body-color surround · Mirror color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.40
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · XM satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 9.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Grille color: body-color surround · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: rear · Rear spoiler: wing · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rocker panel color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.40
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 24 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel covers: full · Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent