This trickle down effect permeates the rest of the cabin as well. For the most part soft touch plastics are used where fingers are more likely to come in contact,

For the most part, soft touch plastics are used where fingers are more likely to come in contact, giving the Corolla an upscale ambience. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

giving the Corolla an upscale ambience. Only the center console and armrest seemed a little on the low rent side, common to this class. All switchgear, on the other hand, is very well put together, also feeling like it could pass for Lexus tactile quality and resultantly looking like it will last for a lifetime. Despite having loyal customers like Deborah, who would no doubt keep buying Corollas even if they weren't continually made more civilized, Toyota has improved much of its compact model for 2005. Most obviously a new

Despite all the changes for 2005, the new Corolla only costs $80 more than the previous version. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

grille joins an updated bumper and fascia up front, while slightly reworked rear taillights (the integrated turn signal lenses are now clear instead of orange) improve the rear view and new wheel covers (on the base CE) spruce up the car's profile. I spent a decent amount of time in all trim levels, but was most impressed with the base CE due to its aggressively low price of $15,490 - a mere $80 more than the outgoing model. Certainly it's not the cheapest in the category, at least when compared to the domestics and Koreans, but the Corolla has earned the right to cost a little more. That said it's less expensive than its two main rivals, Honda's $16,100 Civic DX and Mazda's $16,195 3 GX.