2012 Toyota Corolla Review

Overview

The 2012 Toyota Corolla is a carryover model for the mode year 2012. The 2012 Toyota Corolla features revised headlights, taillights, new bumpers and a chrome strip across the trunk. The car is available in Base, LE and S trims. Freshened front, rear fascias, standard vehicle stability-traction controls, standard Star Safety System and Smart Stop Technology and Toyota Care Complimentary Maintenance Plan are key features of the new Corolla.

Power and performance

All 2012 Toyota Corolla cars are equipped with a 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine rated at 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. This engine is teamed with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT) on the base Corolla, while the LE features the four-speed automatic standard. The 1.8-liter engine on the Corolla S transmits power through the five-speed manual transmission or the four-speed automatic. The EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with the five-speed manual transmission, and 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the four-speed automatic transmission.

Body and styling

The 2012 Corolla includes a number of standard features like power mirrors, 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. The LE model is equipped with variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle; color-keyed power heated outside mirrors; AM/FM/CD audio with six speakers with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, and auto sound leveling; cruise control; multi-function in-key remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, trunk release, panic and remote illuminated entry; power windows with driver side auto down; tilt/telescopic sport steering wheel with metallic accents and audio controls; and power door locks with shift-activated automatic locking feature. The sporty Corolla S grade adds newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/55 R16 tires; multi-reflector halogen headlamps with black housing; color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers, sport side rocker panels, unique S badge and rear mudguards; color-keyed rear spoiler, integrated fog lamps; front sport seats; chrome-tipped exhaust; an new tilt/telescopic sport steering wheel with audio controls; chrome exhaust tip; sport fabric-trimmed six-way adjustable driver seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat; metallic style interior trim and analog sport instrumentation.

Safety Features

The Toyota Corolla comes with an extensive list of standard safety equipment that includes vehicle stability control; traction control; daytime running lights; driver front and front passenger airbags; full-length side curtain airbags; driver and front passenger three-point seatbelts with adjustable shoulder anchors; three-point rear seatbelts for all rear positions; energy-absorbing steering column; four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes; active headrests; front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones; child-protector rear door locks; LATCH; anti-theft system with engine immobilizer; tire pressure monitoring system; trunk-entrapment release; and side-impact door beams.