THE Corolla just goes on and on. At least the name does. The car that bears it just gets better and better with each new generation – and with each mid-life update.

Which is just what this latest mid-life Corolla is all about…major restyling and big improvements.

First thing you notice is that a fresh new face has brought it smack into line with the rest of Toyota family. It now sports four individual headlights and the familiar Toyota grille. And under the bonnet has gone an all-new engine line-up that packs Toyota’s advanced award-winning VVT-i technology making the Corolla more powerful, with less harmful emissions, more economical and a real joy to drive.

The redesigned dash now features an integrated multi-function display at the top, with read outs on time and temperature, radio tuning frequency and cassette or CD operation status. Petrol models also have an on-board fuel and journey computer which displays average fuel consumption, instant fuel consumption, and average vehicle speed.

Other detail styling changes inside include chrome ornamentation on the steering wheel, chromed interior door handles and colour illuminated instrumentation.

Safety strongpoints include driver and passenger airbags, side impact beams, front seat belt tensioners and antilock braking, all of which come as standard. The antilock brakes are equipped with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) which ensures braking forces are applied in accordance with driving conditions. It means better stability when braking hard under slippery road conditions and also more even braking during cornering.

Additionally a stiffened chassis has improved ride and handling.
Like its predecessor, this latest Corolla is on offer in a wide, versatile range of body styles including three-door hatchback, four-door saloon, five-door liftback and five-door estate. Our test car was the 1.4 VVT-i litre five-door liftback. There is also a 1.6 VVT-i litre unit and a new 1.9 litre diesel engine.

Body stiffness has been improved with the addition of an extra floor cross member, improving handling and giving extra strength. On liftback models a suspension brace has been added to the rear suspension.

Interior space is plentiful as is the well shaped boot, which increases in load capacity with the flexibility of the 60/40 split rear seats.

Other standard delights on our 1.4 VVT-I Corolla Terra include central locking, electronic immobiliser, power steering, electric front window with jam protections, tachometer, cup holders, four-speaker radio/cassette player, height adjustable driver’s seat and front seat back storage pockets.

At the technical heart of the new Corolla are the two new VVVT-i 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines which offer strong, smooth performance quietly and very economically. In addition, the engines also benefit from Toyota Direct Ignition and a new, plastic intake manifold, which reduces weight and heat transfer.

The 1.4 litre installed in our test car, develops a class leading 95bhp at 6000rpm – 14 per cent more powerful than its predecessor and around 13 per cent better than the average competitor in the sector - and maximum torque of 96lb ft at 4800rpm. By virtue of its VVT-i technology, which I explain more about in a separate piece, torque output is virtually constant throughout the usable engine range and above 81lb ft from 2000rpm to 6000rpm.

Top speed is 116mph; 0 to 62mph takes 11.6 seconds and our fuel consumption averaged out at 41.75mpg over a fair mix of driving conditions.

On the road the car is a revelation with its slick gearchange, fine driving position, super supple ride, precise handling and excellent road holding, even on the toughest of corners. It’s a car that gives real driving pleasure.

A car that just gets better and better.