Used Toyota Corolla 2009-2013 review

2012 Toyota Corolla

If you want a comfortable car that starts every morning, is easy to drive and doesn’t need much maintenance, look no further. The Corolla is a reliable compact sedan with a practical roomy interior and a soft smooth ride. It holds its value well and is easy to sell. Fuel economy is another plus. Yes, the interior is plain and fit and finish is not at the top of the class, but it’s fairly roomy and comfortable. The seats are higher off the floor than in many other small cars, making entry and exit easier. The rear seat space is better than in many other compacts like Mitsubishi Lancer, Hyundai Elantra or Nissan Sentra. The trunk is wide, with a large opening and the rear seats fold down. The audio auxiliary input is standard, the USB port is available on late models. Maintenance costs are moderate, common problems are mostly minor, read more below.

2012 Toyota Corolla interior.

The trunk offers 12.3 cu. ft. of cargo space.

Powertrain: The base engine is the 132-hp 1.8L 4-cylinder DOHC. It’s a very reliable and easy to maintain engine. The XRS comes with the 158-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder. Transmission choices include a 4-speed automatic (5-speed automatic in XRS) or 5-speed manual.

Timing belt or chain: Both, the 1.8L and 2.4L engines have a timing chain; there is no timing belt. A timing chain doesn’t need to be replaced unless there is a problem with it.

Fuel Economy: The EPA rates the 2011 Corolla with a 1.8L engine and an automatic transmission at 26/34 mpg or 9.0/6.9 L/100 km. With 20% city 80% highway driving, the 1.8L automatic Corolla can drive up to 380 miles (612 km) on a 13.2-gallon (50.0L) tank.
The manual Corolla has even better fuel economy: 28/35 mpg or 8.4/6.7 liters per hundred kilometers. With a manual transmission, you will be saving around 100 dollars a year on fuel costs compared to the automatic.

Mechanical: The Corolla XRS has disc brakes on all 4 wheels; other models come with rear drum brakes. The steering is electrically powered. Antilock brakes are standard; Vehicle Stability control was available in early models; standard on all US models from 2010. The Canadian Corolla received standard Vehicle Stability Control for 2011.

Handling and ride: On the road, the Corolla drives nicely. The ride is soft and quiet; road imperfections are well absorbed by the suspension. The 1.8L engine is adequate for daily driving. The electrical steering is light and feels OK in the city, but is a bit vague around the center position when driving on the highway.

Toyota Corolla reliability and common problems: The Corolla is pretty reliable and with good maintenance can last very long. Consumer Reports rates a used Toyota Corolla as ‘Good Bet’. Common complaints include a leaking water pump, various noises, brakes wearing fast and some minor engine issues.

Seats are relatively high off the floor for easy entry and exit

Rear seats fold down

Safety: The 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla scored 4 stars for both the driver and the front passenger in the NHTSA frontal crash tests. In the side crash tests, the Corolla got 5 stars for the driver and 4 stars for the rear passenger. In 2011, the NHTSA introduced tougher tests, where the 2011 Corolla scored 4 stars in frontal and rollover tests, but only 2 stars in the side crash tests. The upgraded 2012 and 2013 Corolla has earned 5 stars in the side crash tests and 4 stars in the frontal and rollover tests.

Pros: Reliability, soft comfortable ride, fuel economy for 1.8L engine, crash test scores, easy to drive, practical spacious interior, low ownership costs, resale value.

Cons: Plain styling, “numb” steering feel, interior plastic is not of the top quality, engine is a bit underpowered with a full load.

Model lineup: In the US, the 2009 Corolla was offered in base, S, LE, upscale XLE and sporty XRS trims. The XLE and XRS were discontinued for 2011 and the L trim became the base level for 2012. In Canada, four models were offered: CE, LE, S and XRS. The well-equipped LE is the most popular trim level.

Year to year changes: Toyota Corolla got minor facelift for 2011 with new front grill, head- and taillights, updated bumpers and trunk lid. For 2012, the Corolla received a few feature upgrades, including a new standard audio system with the USB port, Bluetooth and steering audio controls for the US and Canadian LE trim. The US Corolla L received power windows, power door locks and remote keyless entry.

What to look for when buying a used Toyota Corolla: Not all used cars are the same; look for the one that hasn’t been involved in an accident and was regularly maintained. When checking the used Corolla, check the engine oil level; if it’s very low, the engine may consume oil. If the engine makes loud rattling noise or smokes when started cold, avoid the car. Watch out for leaks in the engine compartment. A rattling noise coming from the passenger side of the engine compartment could indicate a bad belt tensioner or a failing water pump. Make sure to test all the electrical accessories, including the air conditioner and the audio auxiliary input. During the test drive, see how the automatic transmission shifts; all shifts should be smooth.