2012 Toyota Corolla Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2007-2012 Toyota Corolla as a used buy. The 10th generation Toyota Corolla, which arrived in 2007, was a conventional front-wheel drive small car that was available as a four door sedan or five door hatch. With a wide choice of models there was one to suit just about every small car buyer's

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Toyota Corolla as a used buy.

Well known as a safe buy, Toyota Corolla has been a major player in Australia since the mid 1960s. The Corolla was built in Melbourne until 1999 and fully imported from Japan since then, probably to the regret of the Australian branch of Toyota in recent years. Having been pulled from our market to make place in the factory for the not very successful Toyota Avalon, Corolla has recently become the biggest selling vehicle in Australia. And it's made overseas... Ah, well, hindsight is wonderful!Corollas made in Australia had improvements made by local engineers to suit them to our conditions. To this day Toyota Australia provides feedback and engineering information to Japan and there's little doubt Corollas worldwide are all the better for this.Suspension dynamics used to lean strongly towards comfort rather than sportiness, but that equation has moved more in the direction of satisfying handling. Indeed, the latest Corolla, introduced in November 2012, should be somewhere on the short list of keen drivers.The great majority of Corollas are four-door sedans and five-door hatchbacks. A station wagon was sold until the model change of April 2007. While the wagon is a practical machine and has a good load area it was never particularly popular as buyers preferred larger wagons or SUVs.Toyota Corolla has reasonable rear-seat room and a good-sized boot so is large enough to be considered as a family car if the children haven't reached their mid-teen years.Engines are all four-cylinder units with a capacity of 1.8 litres. Manual gearboxes were five-speed units until the all-new model of 2007 when a six-speed was installed. An exception to this is the Celica-engined Sportivo which has a close-ratio six-speed unit.The automatic transmissions are lagging behind many competitors in still being four-speed units. Performance from an automatic can be marginal in a car of this size so take it for a good test drive to check that it suits your needs.Anxious to get away from the Corolla's reputation for being a sensible but boring car, Toyota has had a stab at a couple of sporting variants. These Sportivo models didn't have a lot of success having rather half-hearted styling-and-suspension jobs without any more engine performance than the standard cars.Spare parts and servicing for these Toyotas are available through one of the biggest, most widely spread dealer networks in the AustraliaThe 2001 Corolla Sport model did have a turbo engine with plenty of grunt, but it was expensive and didn't sell well. This can be an interesting car if you are looking for something out of the ordinary, but talk to your insurance company first as insurers often take a dislike to turbocharged engines.From May 2003 until 2006, Toyota imported the Corolla Sportivo with what was virtually a hot Celica 1.8-litre engine. There's plenty of power high up the scale, up to 141 kW at the peak, but down-low torque is noticeably lacking so driving can be irritating unless you are a full-on sports enthusiast.The Corolla has a simple layout and is easy for the good amateur mechanic to work on. But please stick to non-safety work unless you are a professional. Workshop manuals are readily available at specialist motoring bookshops as well as some general suppliers. We recommend you have one at your side before commencing work.Spare parts and servicing for these Toyotas are available through one of the biggest, most widely spread dealer networks in the Australia. Some outlets in the outback may not stock less common components for the Corolla but can have them shipped in promptly.Insurance premiums are usually low on all but the turbocharged and full-house Sportivo models. If looking at the latter make enquiries in advance, particularly if you are a young and/or inexperienced driver as the premiums can be budget breakers.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck for signs of panel damage or previous crash repairs. Easiest to spot are ripples in the body, best seen by looking at the car end on in good light; watch for paint colours that don't match correctly; look for tiny spots of paint on areas like glass, badges and rubbing strips that should be paint free.Look carefully at the interior for signs of damage or excessive wear.Drying out and cracking of the dashboard top or rear shelf probably means the car has seldom, or never, been garaged.The engine should start within a couple of seconds and settle into a smooth idle within seconds. Listen for a rattle from it when it does start and check the oil light goes out quickly.Look for smoke from the exhaust pipe when the engine is accelerated hard after having been idling for a minute or so.Make sure the brakes don't pull the car to one side when they are applied hard and that ABS, if fitted, works correctly. A pulsation through the brake pedal under hard braking will tell you all is OK.Rust is not common in later-model Corollas, but can sometimes be found around the fuel filler cap and the hinges of the rear hatch. Check the bottom corners of the doors and mudguards, the door sill panels and in the lower edges of the bootlid or tailgate.CAR BUYING TIPStart shopping around for a used car several weeks before you intend to buy. This gives you a solid feel about the market before stepping into the home territory of used-car sales people.

The table has turned. Now it's not your masculinity under question for owning a large car, but your sanity. Simply, small cars work. They are quick, comfortable, well equipped, economical on fuel and ownership costs plus fit into small parking bays or tuck neatly into peak-hour traffic queues.They are also relatively inexpensive - the cheapest is a Chery J1 at $9990 drive away - and there's about 30 different car models and 280 distinct versions to choose from. More importantly, budget motoring means there are thousands of near-new used small cars on the market.Pick your next pre-owned car carefully and it's likely you'd find one that retains a portion of the new-car warranty. I realise that many small-car buyers may look at features and paint colour before safety ratings and reliability.But even if the buyer has few aspirations to venture outside the city perimeter, it's important to keep safety, reliability, comfort and durability as part of the purchase criteria. Consider also factory-fit Bluetooth and audio streaming.Hands-free telephone calls and portable and interactive music are pivotal to young car owners and increasingly to the people who end up buying your car.Final tips: Ensure the car has been serviced to the manufacturer's requirements (it's stamped in the service book that should be in the glovebox - if it's not there, neither should you. - Bent or buckled number plates indicate a prang. - Tyre tread worn on the edge or in the centre indicates the car needs a wheel alignment (or may have been in an accident). - Always get the car checked out.THE CARS: We've selected three small cars that come up trumps as used cars after starting life as sensible new car choices. Note that these are examples and variations will occur given the car's location, service and driving condition, distance travelled and general body and mechanical condition.1. 2010 Toyota Corolla AscentPrice: $16,990Odometer: 35,266Engine: 1.8L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.7L/100Carsguide says, “second series of the Z-code Corolla that started in 2000 just improves year after year. It's solid, dependable (no camshaft belt to break), inexpensive to own and fuel, roomy and holds its value. Capped service can save money but Corolla still has a twice-yearly maintenance schedule. In a five and six-speed auto world, the Corolla's four-speed auto is ordinary. But it's strong and reliable. This car is in line with average annual driving distances.” 2.  2010 Mazda3 MaxxPrice: $16,990Odometer: 107,445Engine: 2L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 8.2L/100Carsguide says, “well equipped version of Australia's most popular car appears to have covered a big distance given its age. That may be due to use as a country car and hence has resulted in a small price concession over a similar model with a lower mileage. Mazda's 3 is a very good all-round car with excellent safety standards and generally a nice ride, though cabin noise is more intrusive than most rival cars. Twice yearly servicing needed and no capped service program means it may be a bit more expensive to maintain that, say, a Corolla.” 3.  2010 Hyundai i30 SLXPrice: $14,990Odometer: 87,412|Engine: 2L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.6L/100Carsguide says, “the one that won Carsguide's Car of the Year for 2010 is a smart buy, even two years down the track. It retains about three years of its five-year warranty. As a driving machine, the i30 is simple, secure and fuss-free. It's relatively economical but not as sprightly as the Mazda3 that has a similar engine. Mileage is a bit high and car may be due for a new camshaft belt. But it looks good with 16-inch alloy wheels, has a high five-star safety rating and a comfortable cabin.” 

Well into its fourth decade in Australia the Toyota Corolla has consistently been a big player in our new and used-car scene.

Opel Astra Select and Toyota Corolla Levin go head-to-head in this comparative review.

One decade ago, you'd sweat to make $21,840 to buy a five-door Corolla without airconditioning and just one airbag. Today, the equivalent Corolla is $19,990 with airconditoning, seven airbags, electronic stability control, a six-speaker audio, cruise control and  Bluetooth.The price has gone down, the feature - and safety - list is so good it's in prestige-car territory, and the Australian average weekly wage has jumped 32 per cent. Oh, and interest rates - as defined by the Reserve Bank's official cash rate, are now 3.25 per cent compared with 5.0 per cent a decade ago. With so much cheap money, cheap cars and bigger wages, it's no wonder car sales are so strong. What are you waiting for?VALUECheap as chips. The Corolla has always been affordable but it's getting even more desirable. The latest hatch - a sedan may come late next year - is a pearler. The top-line Levin ZR tested here has an automatic transmission ($2000), a panoramic sunroof ($1500) and metallic paint ($425) as options to its $28,490 tag.It has a heap of goodies including LED daytime running lamps, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone auto climate-control aircon, electric lumbar support for the driver, heated front seats, leather upholstery, button start, sat-nav and a reverse camera. Capped-price service and guaranteed resale value are big bonuses.That's very good value but it has very good rivals - even the outgoing Volkswagen Golf is $31,990 for an auto with similar specs - and wins because of its bulletproof durability and concrete resale value. But you don't have to reach to the top shelf for Corolla value. Look also at the Levin SX auto for $25,990.DESIGNThis is an evolution of Toyota's cautious styling strides but it has broad buyer appeal. There's some Yaris in there and a bit of Prius. Overall, the hatch looks contemporary and certainly ages rivals such as the Nissan Pulsar which hasn't even been launched yet.Good room inside for four adults (though the rear seat is hard and unsupportive), an upmarket dash with stitched leather and soft plastics, good switchgear and simple placement and a biggish boot win friends. But a narrow rear window makes for poor rear visibility (thankfully there's a rear camera in the Levin), the A-pillars are wide and the bonnet droops into the unknown. But it's still a nice bit of gear.TECHNOLOGYThe Corolla is as simple as it was 10 years ago and the biggest techno change over the previous model is the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that succeeds a conventional four-speed automatic. CVTs can be hot or cold but Toyota has got it right. The two Levin models also get paddle shifters. The car's basic platform remains but the new bodyshell is more rigid and there's now tweaked electric steering and suspension. The 1.8-litre engine continues but has more power (up 3kW to 103kW) at an extra 400rpm at 6400rpm compared with the old model. It has the same torque (173Nm) that conversely arrives 400rpm lower at 4000rpm. Fuel economy is down with the CVT version claiming 6.6-litres/100km. The previous auto got 7.4 litres/100km.SAFETYThe new toy has seven airbags, a five-star crash rating, all the necessary electronic aids, hill-start assist and an emergency brake signal which automatically flashes the hazard warning lamps during hard braking to alert following motorists. The Levin ZR also gets a space-saver spare, auto-levelling high-intensity headlights that see around corners, and a reverse camera.DRIVINGThis is such an accommodating car that everyone will feel at home in the cabin. Same on the road. The driving experience is unthreatening and without any surprises. The engine sounds the same as in the past 10 years and the performance is also the same - a bit lacklustre but completely predictable.There's more perkiness from the engine, however, thanks to the CVT that offers a multitude of ratios, plus seven preset gears available by operating the steering wheel paddles. There's a bit of the inherent CVT elastic-band character that feels like a slipping clutch but compared to many CVT-equipped rivals, this is a good one.The claim of an extra 3kW at 6400rpm must be an in-house Toyota joke as the only owner who will visit those high revs will be either insane or has bought the wrong car. That aside, the hatch is a more confident car through the corners than ever before.It also feels more comfortable and quieter, though the noise levels deteriorate on coarse bitumen as tyre roar intrudes.  Same problem with the Mazda3. Everything about the Corolla is better than before, but only marginally, and sadly none of this comes as a huge surprise.VERDICTIt's better than before and no one's going to complain. But as an excitement machine, you may have to buy something else.Toyota Corolla Levin ZRPrice: $30,490Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale: 58%Service interval: 6 months/10,000kmSafety: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TCCrash rating: 5-starEngine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl petrol, 100kW/175NmTransmission: CVT auto; front driveThirst: 6.6L/100km; 91RON; 152g/km CO2Dimension: 4.3m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H)Weight: 1310kgSpare: Space-saver

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Australians love Corollas and have done so for the last 46 years. Ours was the first market outside Japan to receive the car, Corollas were built here, in Melbourne, for many years and on average Australians buy almost 10 times more Corollas than the global average for the car. Corollas have long had a reputation for

There's two built and sold every minute somewhere in the world which explains total Toyota Corolla sales of 39 million since gen' one back in 1966. Toyota's iconic small car has been here for 46 years and this week moves into the 11th generation. It's been built here in the past but new Corolla now comes out of Japan.BRANDThe Corolla "brand" is built on quality, reliability and durability none of which change with the new, more attractive car that owes plenty to Europe in terms of style and dynamism. It remains practical and "sensible" but this time around marks the arrival of a good measure of sass.The car looks sexy and sporty inside and out even if it retains an inner conservative nature in the way it drives. It's no sporty hatch but is perfectly suited to the multiple applications to which Corolla owners put their cars. Toyota has made it easier to get into and out of by reducing seat height, they've given it better acceleration without upping outright power or torque by much at all. And it is more fuel efficient into the bargain.THE LOOKBut what you and I will notice first is the new and attractive exterior styling that sets Corolla apart from other players in the small car segment it's a real grown-up look completely different from the small people mover look of the previous model. The longer snout and V shaped grill treatment has family Toyota design cues - keen looking, a lot like a Tarago or the new Camry while the rear looks uncannily similar to the new (and equally handsome) Hyundai i30. There are sharp character lines down the sides and it has a low centre of gravity and low aerodynamic drag due in part to under body cladding. Weight has been cut by up to 55kg helping both performance and economy. The body might not be that much bigger on the outside but better design sees more room for up to five passengers and a decent load space. The stylish interior features a nearly flat top dash, bold shapes, soft feel surfaces and a host of easy to use controls.PRICEIn something of a coup, the starting price is $19,990 same as 11 years ago. Other models are equally sharp priced. We get four grades; Ascent, Ascent Sport, Levin SX and Levin ZR. Standard equipment is generous on all models with the two mid-level cars being arguably the best value. A small complaint. Routine servicing is capped at $130 a time for the first 100,000km. CVT auto adds $2000 to the price.MECHANICALPower comes from a carryover 1.8-litre petrol engine with mild changes to the previous unit. It's more efficient than before and is rated at 103kW/173Nm about average for the segment and uses 91 RON petrol. This is the only engine available in new Corolla no sports model, no diesel. The big news is a six speed manual transmission or optional seven step CVT auto more economical than the manual at 6.6-litres/100km.Naturally, the ride/handling package has been calibrated locally to deliver the best compromise between comfort and handling governed by our relatively poor roads. It's a strut front/ torsion beam rear system. A new electric steering system makes its first appearance contributing to a more engaging drive feel. New Corolla gets a five star Green Vehicle Guide rating and features an "eco' mode for economical driving.SAFETYSafety is rated at five stars by ANCAP thanks in part to seven air bags and stability control as well as a stronger body/chassis.DRIVINGOn the road, the new Corolla is, well, like a Corolla capable, predictable, economical and safe. It's no sports hatch but acquits itself well in the rough and tumble of modern Australian driving. Point it a poorly made bitumen road and Corolla sails over it easily soaking up big bumps.Hook harder than usual into a set of tight corners and Corolla sails around with a surprising degree of steering accuracy. Brakes hard, rides well, accelerates well spoiled a tad on the manuals by throttle flair between changes where the engine holds revs too long.VERDICTWe like new Corolla. We love the price, the features and the look from all angles. It's a cracking good car in the small car class and is certain to give all other contenders a serious case of heartburn.