Topic: Quick Spin: 2012 Toyota Corolla CE

[Autos_Editor]

Mike Schlee finds the Corolla dated and disappointing, but it still has many factors going for it from a rational perspective.

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[Never Satisfied]

Been looking for a small car capable of towing for some time now. However, my research indicates that the Corolla 1.8 liter is not one of them. The only " Corolla " that I know that is rated for towing is the Matrix XRS 2.4 liter, and that is for 1500 pounds. There is a 2.4 liter Corolla, but no mention of towing capabilities. Also, the Scion XB appears to have the same 2.4 liter engine, but again, no mention of towing.  Nothing on the Official Toyota website about this model of Corolla doing any towing. Other small cars that I know about that qualify for 1000 pound towing are the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, and the Chrysler 200. Please confirm. Over and out.

[Mike]

Been looking for a small car capable of towing for some time now. However, my research indicates that the Corolla 1.8 liter is not one of them. The only " Corolla " that I know that is rated for towing is the Matrix XRS 2.4 liter, and that is for 1500 pounds. There is a 2.4 liter Corolla, but no mention of towing capabilities. Also, the Scion XB appears to have the same 2.4 liter engine, but again, no mention of towing.  Nothing on the Official Toyota website about this model of Corolla doing any towing. Other small cars that I know about that qualify for 1000 pound towing are the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, and the Chrysler 200. Please confirm. Over and out.

Hi there, yes it is rated to tow that amount, but I only found the information on the media site, not the consumer site.

[Never Satisfied]

Hi Mike,

So, just where is this media site? I was interested in the Toyota Camry 2012 and emailed Toyota to find out if it could tow, and it could not they say. I did the same thing for the Scion XB and got the same reply. How does the lowly Corolla beat the system if these two bigger guys ( HP and Torque ) cannot? PS. I actually owned a 2010 Toyota Corolla CE with the Enhanced package and found it to be quite a respectable unit. Have since sold it and looking to trade truck for a small trailer capable unit.

[Fobroader]

Im surprised you were able to stay awake long enough to test drive it......I guess gotta take to the good with the bad when you are testing cars.

[Oldsguy]

The "anti-car" is perfect.

Fascinating how well they sell though (along with the much-hated Civic). What other industry has high selling products that are universally criticized by pundits?

Lots of them, actually. Think of the Big Mac - not a favorite of food critics. Budweiser or Coors Light - universally reviled by beer geeks. The list is long.

As someone once said, "you'll never go broke underestimating the taste of the public".

[johngenx]

My missus has had some very interesting cars over the years, including cars like a Mercedes C36AMG.  The car she likes the best on the list?  Her current 09 Corolla.  Those other cars I picked.  She choose the Corolla.

She's in the large number of people out there that like a boring appliance for a car.  She wants it to never visit the shop other than for brief periods for routine service (repairs are a hassle) and she wants it to be cheap to run.  She wants unassuming so she can park anywhere and go through traffic unnoticed.  She isn't all that concerned about interior materials, as long as the controls are easy to reach and use.

The Corolla needs to be replaced, and Toyota should energize the model, but they have to be careful to mess with success.  Honda tried it with the 06- Civic, and it worked.  But, they have to make sure that the things that appeal to the buyer like my missus are not left behind...

[dkaz]

Been looking for a small car capable of towing for some time now. However, my research indicates that the Corolla 1.8 liter is not one of them. The only " Corolla " that I know that is rated for towing is the Matrix XRS 2.4 liter, and that is for 1500 pounds. There is a 2.4 liter Corolla, but no mention of towing capabilities. Also, the Scion XB appears to have the same 2.4 liter engine, but again, no mention of towing.  Nothing on the Official Toyota website about this model of Corolla doing any towing. Other small cars that I know about that qualify for 1000 pound towing are the Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, and the Chrysler 200. Please confirm. Over and out.

The 1.8L Corolla and Matrix can tow 1,500 lb.

[Seafoam]

The "anti-car" is perfect.

Fascinating how well they sell though (along with the much-hated Civic). What other industry has high selling products that are universally criticized by pundits?

Lots of them, actually. Think of the Big Mac - not a favorite of food critics. Budweiser or Coors Light - universally reviled by beer geeks. The list is long.

As someone once said, "you'll never go broke underestimating the taste of the public".

Yes, and you will never go broke maintaining a corolla.

[dkaz]

That is true. I had a 91 Corolla since 229,000km, sold it to a guy, bought it back from him and eventually sold it for good at 365,000km. I think the three most expensive things it needed in that period was a clutch which he did - I assume $800, an alternator for $400, and a timing belt and water pump for just under that.

I also think the 91 Corolla was a way better car than my 08 Corolla was. I regret "upgrading" to the new model.

[Seafoam]

That is true. I had a 91 Corolla since 229,000km, sold it to a guy, bought it back from him and eventually sold it for good at 365,000km. I think the three most expensive things it needed in that period was a clutch which he did - I assume $800, an alternator for $400, and a timing belt and water pump for just under that.

I also think the 91 Corolla was a way better car than my 08 Corolla was. I regret "upgrading" to the new model.

I've had 3 corolla's All were reliable with basic maintenance which i did myself mostly. Us corolla owners are not  considered car guys however.
At present I own 1 of those much maligned 9th generation civics. Just took a trip to P.E.I. and back over the long weekend to watch some drag races.
A very disappointing 5.5 litres per 100km was returned.

[jaari]

i get that in my Sonata no sweat 5.4-7.0 depending on hills etc

[dkaz]

Oh my 08 Corolla got phenomenal gas mileage. Never a tank worse than 8L/100km, the best was 4.7L/100km, and my overall average was in the mid to high 6s.

There are a select few Corolla owners who are car guys. The 05-06 Corolla XRS was not a bad car, stock 0-60 was 7s and 1/4 mile in just over 15s. The 8,200 RPM red line was pretty awesome. The current XRS is weak sauce.

[Never Satisfied]

Today's local paper has a Toyota CE ( auto ) with Enhanced Convenience package ( extras as outlined in the article ) for 18,580.00 That is a 2,000 dollar discount for cash purchasers which includes freight and PDI. Now, this is getting interesting. Sure, the car is getting dated, but how can you beat the value and the goodies and the reliability, etc?

[Never Satisfied]

Sent an email to Toyota to get the final say on this trailer towing business for the 1.8 litre.

[rrocket]

Sent an email to Toyota to get the final say on this trailer towing business for the 1.8 litre.

Will never happen.  They won't release stuff like that due to "liability".  But the exact same car in other countries will have the towing data released.  Apparently, car companies are scared of people towing anything with a car in NA.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Sent an email to Toyota to get the final say on this trailer towing business for the 1.8 litre.

Are manufactures selling vehicles in Canada required to put a decal or stamp on the vehicle somewhere that indicates towing capacity along with GVW ratings?

They post GVWR and GAWR, but then refer to the owners manual for trailering, at least from what I've seen.

[ArticSteve]

They post GVWR and GAWR, but then refer to the owners manual for trailering, at least from what I've seen.

yes

[dkaz]

Weird, the 2009 and 2010 with 1.8L engine as well as the 2.4L engine was rated for 1,500 lb. 2011 brochure says 2.4L engine only, 2012 doesn't list anything at all.

In the USA, Corolla is still rated at 1,500 lb. They no longer have a 2.4L XRS model.

[Ex-airbalancer]

They post GVWR and GAWR, but then refer to the owners manual for trailering, at least from what I've seen.

yes

Are they still moving in Owen Sound
which is best compact in the area