TOYOTA wanted a new look for the new Corolla and it's safe to say they've achieved a make-over of daytime television proportions.
This is the first Toyota I have driven, but I have admired the new look of the Yaris for quite sometime.
It was not the flashy PR or extravagant adverts that opened my eyes to the Yaris, it was instead the link-up they have had with a rental company.
I mean, let's be honest, how many cars can still look good when they're dressed up like a giant satsuma?
So I was loooking forward to the prospect of driving the bigger Corolla without the 'I've been tangoed' treatment.
In years gone by Toyota cars never made me look twice, or even once for that matter, but the up-to-date looks of the ninth generation Corolla instantly won me over.
Toyota say customers can be forgiven for thinking the car has had a make-over from the motoring equivalent of Ground Force, but I think that understates the scale of the improvements.
It's a transformation that can be likened to the rising of a rose from a thorn bush, and it would have Alan Titchmarsh quivering with pride.
The outside looks are a massive improvement to the predecessors and should be attractive to all age groups, with a stylish looking front and an original kink in the bonnet under the badge. The back end of the car is neat enough and the overall shape can compete with anything on the road.
The central dash and controls are plain and minimalist in looks but sturdy and quality in feel. Seat quality and comfort is excellent and there is plenty of space, even for the rear passengers.
The driving position makes you feel high up off the road and the driver has the all-round vision to match. Road noise is minimal and the ride and gear changes are quiet and smooth. Steering is very light, as is the clutch. So light, in fact, that it hurt when I tried to change gear and turn the corner when I got back into my own car.
Speed and power is ample, but it didn't really start to kick in until I was in third, with a slightly sluggish feel around corners in second.
Standard features on the Corolla are extensive for the price of the car with even the base model having CD player, power steering, ABS and colour-keyed bumpers.
The range is available in five very different bodystyles of MPV, 3 and 5-door hatchback, estate and saloon.
The level of equipment varies across four grades with the T2, T3, T Spirit and T Sport. The base T2 starts at £10,800 and the price rises through to £16,300 for the top end automatic T Spirit Verso.
The T Spirit 1.6 I test drove had added features like air conditioning, alloy wheels, sunroof and heated mirrors, but came in at a slightly higher but still reasonable £13,800.
This Derbyshire built car is priced within the reach of most people, and unlike some of it's competitors, it has the differing levels of equipment to suit almost any driver on any budget.
My advice is forget gardening, forget Charlie Dimmock, go and see the Corolla for yourself, it will certainly grow on you.
FAST FACTS
Toyota Corolla 1.6 T Spirit
Price: £13,800
Mechanical: 109bhp, 1,598cc, 4 cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 118mph
0-62mph: 10.2 secs
Combined mpg: 40.4
Insurance group: 6
CO2 emissions: 168g/km
BiK rating: 17%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint