Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Toyota

NEW FOR 2008:

- Tire pressure monitoring system deleted on Sport and LE
- Corolla CE "B" package renamed "Convenience"; "C" package renamed "Enhanced Convenience"; "T" package renamed "20th Anniversary Edition"
- Corolla Sport "B" package renamed "Moonroof"
- Corolla LE "B" package renamed "Moonroof", with leather seats, leather-wrapped wheel and shifter knob, and chrome inner door handles deleted

For 2008, the Toyota Corolla undergoes minor changes, mostly to its option packages.

Available in CE, Sport and LE trim, the Corolla uses a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine; a five-speed manual transmission is the default in the CE and Sport, and can be optioned to the four-speed automatic that is standard equipment on the LE.

Features on the CE include 15-inch steel wheels, CD stereo with four speakers, fabric seats, tilt wheel, floor mats, digital clock, engine immobilizer, power mirrors, front and rear splash guards, and intermittent wipers.

The Sport adds 15-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, CD stereo with six speakers, air conditioning, sport fabric seats, power locks with keyless entry, power windows, leather-wrapped wheel, rear spoiler, fog lamps and variable intermittent wipers.

The LE adds premium cloth seats, simulated woodgrain trim, front seatback pockets, cruise control, and coloured bumpers.

Always among the top three in Canadian sales, alongside the Honda Civic and Mazda3, the Corolla's design is getting a bit long in the tooth. It's also losing ground to some competitors in safety, with anti-lock brakes added only to the upper two lines, and side and curtain airbags on the LE only.

In its favour, it's still a snappy performer, with sharp handling and a comfortable interior, and with a relatively low price. Should you want more storage space, the Corolla is also the basis of the Toyota Matrix "tall wagon" and its Pontiac Vibe sibling.