🔥 Write a review and Earn Upto $50 on PayPal

2012 Toyota Corolla

header-image
Rating7.8

Ranked #5 in 

Compact Sedan
Write Review
$16,130 - $18,820
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 18, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious cabin

Lethargic acceleration

Keyless entry

The ride is comfortable

Mediocre cabin materials

Power windows

Intuitive user interface and controls

Specs & Features

$16,960

price

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

4-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.8L 4cyl FWD 4A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Reliable and practical as always, the 2012 Toyota Corolla enters the year with minimal feature changes and nothing else. With better infotainment features now offered as standard, the interior of the Corolla is well equipped as any other compact sedan in the segment. Available in over 3 trim configurations, L, LE, and S, the prices for the 2012 Corolla start from an MSRP of $16,130.

Powertrain-wise, the 2012 Toyota Corolla still gets the previously optional 1.8L Inline-4 engine as standard now. The engine is underwhelming in its performance capabilities, but it more than makes up for it on the fuel economy front. Corolla#39;s safety quotient also takes a turn for the better, as it now gets plenty more driver-assistance tech as standard. The best-selling car will continue to have the legendary Toyota quality that owners have counted on for decades.

Buying Advice

In terms of price, the base L trim is a great purchase, but we would strongly recommend the LE trim, which includes much more features such as cruise control, intermittent wipers, steering wheel audio controls, and a superior 6-speaker audio system. With all of this, the unit is priced at $17,910 and is considerably more affordable than its competitors.

Read More +

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2012 Toyota Corolla delivers reliability, efficiency, and great value. Its high-quality interior provides quiet and refined performance, while you'll appreciate the sharp exterior styling and ample interior space for everyday use. The 2012 Toyota Corolla offers many advanced technologies while keeping the driver in mind. It faces stiff competition from other sedans like the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, and Chevrolet Cruze.

Features
8.0/10

In 2012, Toyota offered three trim levels of the Corolla, including L, LE and S. Standard features include air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, 15-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, keyless entry, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, trip computer and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. A sunroof with an overhead console with map lamps and a sunglasses holder is available on the LE and S. Satellite radio and Bluetooth streaming audio are also available, as well as a touchscreen navigation system with voice control.

Trim

L

LE

S

MSRP 

$16,130

$17,910

$18,500

Key Features

15-inch steel wheels

Adds/upgrades the features of L trim

Adds/upgrades the features of LE trim
 

Keyless entry

16-inch alloy wheels

Sport-look body kit
 

Full power accessories

Variable intermittent wipers

Fog lights
 

Air-conditioning

Heated mirrors

Rear spoiler
 

Height-adjustable driver seat

Cruise control

Metallic interior trim
 

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Steering-wheel audio controls

Upgraded cloth upholstery
 

Four-speaker sound system with a CD player

Six-speaker stereo with iPod connectivity

  

We Recommend

In terms of price, the base L trim is a great purchase, but we would strongly recommend the LE trim, which includes much more features such as cruise control, intermittent wipers, steering wheel audio controls, and a superior 6-speaker audio system. With all of this, the unit is priced at $17,910 and is considerably more affordable than its competitors.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

Toyota's 1.8L engine delivers amazing fuel economy in the 2012 Corolla. The EPA estimates the 2012 Corolla's fuel economy at 26 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, and 29 MPG combined with the automatic, and 27 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, and 30 MPG combined with the manual. Furthermore, it has a 13.2 gallon fuel tank capacity, which provides a maximum driving range of 449 miles. 

Model

2012 Toyota Corolla

2012 Kia Forte

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

2012 Honda Civic

MPG (city)

26

26

25

28

MPG (Highway)

34

36

36

36

MPG (Combined)

29

29

29

31

Fuel Capacity

13.2 

13.7 

15.6 

13.2

Range (City/hwy)

343/448

356/493

390/561

370/475

The Corolla’s engine remains one of the more fuel-efficient ones with an EPA rating very close to that of the Forte. The latter also benefits from a larger fuel tank that aids in the range as well. When it comes to long-distance driving, the Cruze takes the lead and posts the highest range kudos to the biggest tank in the segment.

Interior
8.0/10

The 2012 Toyota Corolla takes a streamlined approach to small-car styling, with an ordinary sharp angle to be found. This is an effect that makes the Corolla less distinctive than some of its competitors, but it's really not meant to go head-to-head with the world's sportiest compact cars. It's a practical alternative for drivers looking for comfort, reliability, and value in their next used car.

The 2012 Toyota Corolla is a compact sedan with the sporty feel of a coupe. Whether you're commuting to work, taking an extended road trip, or hitting the neighborhood block party, you'll have plenty of room for passengers and cargo on your drive. The 2012 Corolla is surprising in its spaciousness and comfort. The legroom in the front and rear seats is ample for long-limbed adults.

Model

2012 Toyota Corolla

2012 Kia Forte

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

2012 Honda Civic

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.8/54.8/41.7

40/55.7/43.3

39.3/54.8/42.3

39.0/56.6/42.0

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.2/54.7/36.3

37.6/54.7/35

37.9/53.9/35.4

37.1/53.3/36.2

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

12.3 

14.7 

15.4 

12.5

In comparison, all the aforementioned sedans can seat 5 people too. The Cruze offers the largest cargo space in this segment at 15.4 cubic feet, while the Forte offers 14.7 cubic feet. In terms of rear row headroom, all vehicles offer similar space. That said, the Corolla’s cabin is marginally better than the others due to the intuitiveness and simplicity being put into the design which is highlighted by:

  • Air conditioning
  • Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
  • Height-adjustable driver seat
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Steering-wheel audio controls 

How intuitive is the 2012 Toyota Corolla’s infotainment unit?

A number of standard features are included in the 2012 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system such as the CD player, three-speaker audio system, and an auxiliary audio connection. Bluetooth connectivity, a steering wheel audio control, and 6-speaker audio are all standard equipment on the higher trim levels. It's audio and information features are easy to use, while Bluetooth wireless connectivity helps keep you in touch with your favorite music and friends.

Exterior
6.0/10

The 2012 Toyota Corolla sedan turns simplicity into a stylish statement. With its bold lines, sculpted details, and the C-pillar's wrap-around design, it is as graceful as it is functional. The exterior styling is further enhanced with new body-colored door handles for even better aerodynamics.

The 2012 Toyota Corolla has great lines with a compact sporty look. The Corolla's exterior and interior styling is fresh, modern, and sophisticated. The car's exterior has new chrome headlamp bezels and fog lamp ornaments. It is equipped with a sleeker and more aerodynamic grille, fog lights with chrome trim surrounding the headlight housings improve visibility in foggy conditions or at nighttime. 

Model

2012 Toyota Corolla

2012 Kia Forte

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

2012 Honda Civic

Curb Weight (lbs)

2800 lbs.

2729 lbs.

3093 lbs.

2,608

Length (in.)

179 in.

178 in.

181 in.

177.3

Width (in.)

69 in.

70 in.

71 in.

69.0

Height (in.)

58 in.

58 in.

58 in.

56.5

Ground Clearance (in.)

6

6

7

5.5

Wheelbase (in.)

102 in.

104.3 in.

105.7 in.

105.1

The 2012 Toyota Corolla competes in a white-hot segment that showcases sleek and extravagantly styled sedans that wear carefully crafted aesthetics to glide smoothly through any condition. Even though the Cruze might be the bulkiest sedan here, the Corolla offers a well-balanced design that has stood the test of time.

 Few major exterior features include-

  • 15/16-inch steel wheels
  • Keyless entry
  • Heated mirrors
  • Variable intermittent wipers
  • Fog Lights
  • Sport-look body kit
  • Rear spoiler

Safety
8.0/10

There's no doubt that Toyota is well-known for making reliable, safe vehicles, and their 2012 Corolla will not disappoint. The NHTSA awarded the 2012 Toyota Corolla an overall safety rating of four stars, including four stars for frontal-impact safety and five stars for side-impact safety. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Toyota Corolla garnered top marks for frontal offset, side, and roof strength.

Other salient safety features include:

  • Stability control 
  • Traction control
  • Anti-lock disc brakes
  • Front side airbags 
  • Side curtain airbags

Final Verdict

Whether you are buying a Toyota Corolla for the family or as a second car, there is very little to be concerned about. The 2012 Toyota Corolla is quiet and comfortable inside, built on a rock-solid chassis, and comes with very good fuel economy in every conceivable situation. The Corolla is a comfortable car, easy to drive, and doesn't cost much to operate, especially when you consider all of the included features. It doesn't get a lot of attention for being eye-catching or entertaining, but it's perfectly adept at getting you where you need to go.

Trims

    L
    $16,130 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Remote keyless entry
    LE
    $17,910 onwards
    • 16-inch steel Wheels
    • Heated mirrors
    S
    $17,990 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights

Compare to similar cars

7.6
2012 Hyundai Accent

Price

$12,545- $16,895

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.56

Horsepower

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

8.3
2012 Ford Focus

$16,500- $22,700

Gasoline

8.25

160 hp @ 6500 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 4450 rpm

5

Read Review

7.0
2012 Mitsubishi Galant

$21,899- $24,299

Gasoline

6.98

160 hp @ 5500 rpm

157 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

7.8
2012 Toyota Corolla

$16,130- $18,820

Gasoline

7.75

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2012 Honda Civic

$15,755- $27,805

Gasoline

7.97

140 hp @ 6500 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2012 Hyundai Sonata

$19,795- $28,195

Gasoline

8.04

198 hp @ 6300 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

8.1
2012 Honda Accord

$21,480- $32,030

Gasoline

8.07

177 hp @ 6500 rpm

161 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

7.6
2012 Kia Forte

$15,200- $19,600

Gasoline

7.58

156 hp @ 6200 rpm

144 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

8.0
2012 Chevrolet Cruze

$16,800- $23,190

Gasoline

7.95

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

5

Read Review

7.7
2012 Volkswagen Jetta

$15,515- $29,220

Gasoline

7.72

115 hp @ 5200 rpm

125 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		SourceCompare
    		9.6 sec17.0 sec116 mph
    		7.1 sec--
    		8 sec--
    		8 sec16.1 sec-
    		8 sec--
    		8.1 sec16.2 sec120 mph
    Read More

    2012 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		SourceCompare
      		27 mpg34 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.356.4/448.8 mi.
      		29 mpg38 mpg33 mpg12 gal.348/456 mi.
      		28 mpg38 mpg32 mpg12.8 gal.358.4/486.4 mi.
      		28 mpg37 mpg32 mpg11.4 gal.319.2/421.8 mi.
      		28 mpg36 mpg31 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/475.2 mi.
      		28 mpg36 mpg30 mpg12.4 gal.322.4/446.4 mi.

      2012 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		SourceCompare
        		180 in.69.4 in.57.7 in.5.8 in.102.4 in.
        		194.9 in.72.7 in.58.1 in.6 in.110.2 in.
        		191.1 in.72.4 in.57.9 in.5.9 in.108.3 in.
        		190.7 in.70.7 in.58 in.5.4 in.109.3 in.
        		190.6 in.72.2 in.56.9 in.6 in.107.4 in.
        		189.8 in.72.2 in.57.9 in.5.5 in.110 in.

        2012 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		SourceCompare
          		12.3 cu.ft.92.1 cu.ft.-
          		14.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.217.3 cu.ft.
          		13.1 cu.ft.97.4 cu.ft.167.9 cu.ft.
          		13.7 cu.ft.89.7 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.
          		14.7 cu.ft.106 cu.ft.85.5 cu.ft.
          		15.4 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.

          2012 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            		SourceCompare
            		-12.3 cu.ft.--
            		50.2 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.12.3 cu.ft.55 ft.
            		95.2 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.-
            		13.6 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.13.6 cu.ft.-
            		85.1 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.180 ft.
            2012 Mazda 3

            Ranked #6

            		59.5 cu.ft.11.8 cu.ft.59.5 cu.ft.-

            2012 Toyota Corolla vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              		SourceCompare
              		1500 lbs.-2734 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.1219 lbs.3093 lbs.
              		1000 lbs.-3300 lbs.
              		-1047 lbs.2833 lbs.
              		-1166 lbs.2804 lbs.
              		-1138 lbs.3161 lbs.

              2012 Toyota Corolla Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              5

              Recalls

              3

              Investigations

              444

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Toyota Cars

              2012 Toyota Prius Hybrid

              Horsepower : 98 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 50 mpg

              0-60 : 9.7 sec

              #1

              2012 Toyota Sequoia

              Horsepower : 310 hp @ 5400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 7.6 sec

              #2

              2012 Toyota 4Runner

              Horsepower : 270 hp @ 5600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.2 sec

              #3

              2012 Toyota Avalon

              Horsepower : 268 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 6.2 sec

              #4

              2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

              Horsepower : 260 hp @ 5600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7.5 sec

              #5

              2012 Toyota Tundra

              Horsepower : 236 hp @ 5200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 6.7 sec

              #6

              2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

              Horsepower : 231 hp @ 5800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 7.4 sec

              #7

              2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 200 hp

              MPG Combined : 41 mpg

              0-60 : 7.4 sec

              #8

              2012 Toyota Highlander

              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 5800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 9.6 sec

              #9

              2012 Toyota Sienna

              Horsepower : 187 hp @ 5800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 9.5 sec

              #10

              2012 Toyota Corolla User Reviews

              0.0

              [1 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              MKW

              Mary Katherine Woods

              2012 Toyota Corolla

              L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 24, 2024

              2012 Toyota Corolla S

              Pros - ["dependability, style and punch", "12 year old paint still looks good, moonroof"]

              Cons - ["Plastic bumpers", "would love the new 2.0 Corolla."]

              This car is still running and looks great. The 1.8 L really packs a punch when needed. A lot of power for a small compact. Great road handling and averages 30mpg . Still alive and kicking. Love my old girl.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              1. Home
              2. Toyota
              3. 2012 Corolla

              Other Compact Sedan

              2012 Chevrolet Cruze
              2012 Ford Focus
              2012 Ford Fiesta
              2012 Honda Civic
              2012 Hyundai Elantra
              2012 Kia Forte
              2012 Mazda 3
              2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
              2012 Nissan Sentra
              2012 Subaru Impreza