For more than four decades, the Toyota Corolla stood tall as the obvious choice for value, dependability and quality for the savvy consumer. With Toyota’s unmatched reliability, the 2012 Toyota Corolla is poised to provide consumers with a bargain-priced automotive champion.
Available in three trim levels – L, LE and S – there is guaranteed to be a Corolla (MSRP $15,900) that fits your needs, and your budget. Arriving for the 2011 model year with refreshed styling and many enhancements, the Toyota Corolla breaks into 2012 with new standard features, enhanced audio options and some subtle visual tweaks. The Corolla L gains power windows, power door locks, remote
keyless entry and color-keyed power side mirrors while the LE gets standard 16-inch wheels and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. The Corolla S benefits from the addition of double-stitched seat accents.
In response to consumer demand, Toyota has given the LE and S a new standard audio system. The new system comes with an MP3/WMA-compatible AM/FM/CD player. A USB port is included to enable iPod® connectivity while an auxiliary input jack allows customers to connect other audio devices to the system. The new audio system also includes Bluetooth® wireless technology for hands-free phone capability and audio streaming.
Designed with input from styling studios in Turin, Italy, the Corolla features many striking details that lend the vehicle a sporting look. Character lines sweep the car, emphasizing subtle details such as the muscular front fender flares and the Corolla’s low profile. Buyers who opt for the Corolla S are treated to a standard body kit that enhances aerodynamics and adds an extra dose of sporty looks. The body kit includes rocker moldings, upper and lower rear spoilers and a front spoiler. To make sure your Corolla continues to look good for years to come, Toyota has added an interlayer of anti-chip coating above the dense mesh grille to help minimize damage from rocks and road debris.
To increase comfort and refinement, one of the main focuses of the current-generation Corolla design was to reduce wind noise. To achieve this goal, the windshield is made from acoustic glass, the window frame structure is designed to reduce side glass vibration and the A-pillars have been specially profiled. The windshield molding, wiper blade covers and shape of the cowl air intake louvers have also been designed with wind noise reduction in mind. To round out the quieting of the cabin, the interior carpet has been designed to better absorb noise as well. The result is a car that provides a quiet, refined interior that is well ahead of its competitors.
Aside from reducing noise, the interior of the Corolla provides enhanced comfort and usability. The Corolla’s front seat and driving position have been tailored to suit a wider range of driver heights, and the standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel helps achieve a comfortable driving position. The rear seats benefit from clever thinking as well. Careful attention to the routing of the exhaust system allowed Toyota to give the Corolla a nearly flat rear floor, enhancing comfort of middle rear-seat passengers. Multiple storage spaces in easy-to-reach places throughout the cabin improve convenience inside the vehicle.
All three trim grades of the 2012 Corolla come equipped with Toyota’s 132-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. The engine is a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). The VVT-i system controls valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts, improving fuel economy and performance. The engine comes paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT) on L and S models. The LE comes standard with the automatic. The automatic transmission offers a manual control for owners looking for a more engaging driving experience. The Corolla earned an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of up to 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
Like all new Toyota vehicles, the 2012 Corolla comes standard with Toyota’s Star Safety System™ and Toyota Care complimentary maintenance plan. The Star Safety System includes occupant protection features like an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC), among others. Toyota Care covers the costs of all standard factory-scheduled maintenance and provides 24-hour roadside assistance service for the first 25,000 miles or two years you own your vehicle.
Toyota continues to enhance and evolve the Corolla. While today’s model is very different from the Corollas of years past, one thing has stayed constant; the Corolla is an intelligent buy for anyone who values a quality vehicle.
