Those last four words are a pretty good description of how the Corolla goes about all of its duties. It efficiently sips away at gasoline, important now that fuel prices are escalating to the point where a gas

With gas prices so high, the Corolla's improved fuel economy should be a relief. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

station's greatest challenge is how to fit an extra numeral onto its price boards, delivering 7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg) in the city and 5.3 L/100 km (53 mpg) on the highway. That's one of the best ratings of any non-hybrid gasoline powered car available, including the Honda Civic DX and Mazda3 GX. The engine's improved fuel efficiency brings it into the more stringent Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) class, which will actually save you money in jurisdictions such as Ontario, that offer discounts on insurance for fuel misers. The Corolla is also relatively well equipped for an entry model, featuring a standard tilt steering wheel, power remote sideview mirrors, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, color-keyed body-side moldings, front

For an entry level car, the Toyota Corolla comes well equipped with a full assortment of standard features. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

passenger airbags with status indicator, an engine immobilizer, UV glass protection, a rear centre seat headrest, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, and more. Other features available include air conditioning with pollen filter, keyless entry and power door locks, plus power windows and cruise control. A few all-new options include a tire pressure monitoring system, door lock shift activation (automatic transmission only), Optitron gauges, and front fog lamps, while a 6-speaker stereo system, aluminum alloy wheels, and ABS equipped brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) are still available. By the way, all Corolla models except the new XRS (more on that in a minute) make use of power-assisted front ventilated disc brakes with rear drums.