Toyota Corolla reviews

Toyota Corolla Interior Features

The 2012 Corolla has a pleasing interior. Design is simple, while materials and patterns are traditional and understated. The trim materials look inexpensive, but not cheap; clearly your basic stuff. You can't say the Corolla interior feels any finer than some other cars of the same price.

The front seats are comfortable, with nice elbow rests on both sides, and getting in and out of the seats is easy. The rear seat offers 36.3 inches of legroom, which isn't much, but it's about average for the class. The rear floor is flat except for a small incline at the back of the console between the front seats. The 60/40 split folding rear seats has its smaller side behind the driver, so you can carry long objects and still put two riders behind the passenger. A high-capacity heater with ducts for the rear (standard since 2011) keeps rear-side riders as cozy as their front-seat companions.

The instruments are simple and handsome, basic white on black; we appreciate the lack of pretension or flash. The sport steering wheel in the Corolla S is perforated leather and, like the LE, features redundant cruise and audio controls. The sport seats in the Corolla S are comfortable black cloth, though not especially sporty.

Outward visibility from the driver's seat is quite good, even over the shoulder. A low dashboard and windshield base enhances forward visibility.

The 2012 Corolla LE and Corolla S both benefit from a new standard audio system, combining an AM/FM receiver with a CD player capable of MP3/WMA playback. A USB port enables iPod connectivity, while an auxiliary input jack accommodates other music players. The system also features Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and audio streaming. Auto-sound leveling adjusts volume in response to ambient noise.

Corolla LE and Corolla S buyers can further upgrade to Navigation and Entune, which employs a 6.1-inch touch screen to operate an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, 6 speakers, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (includes 90-day trial subscription), and HD Radio with iTunes Tagging; plus an auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity and control, vehicle information, hands-free phone capability, phone book access, advanced voice recognition, and music streaming via Bluetooth.

Storage spaces are well thought-out, down to details like a cord slot so your personal electronics connection doesn't get pinched. A remote release opens the trunk lid, which offers a wide loading space. Trunk room of 12.3 cubic feet is about average and isn't hindered by black boxes and big speakers hanging down under the back window. A temporary-use spare is under the floor.