Toyota Corolla 2014 Is Pretty As Well As Practical [Video]

The Toyota Corolla 2014 sneak preview has been unveiled by Toyota, which has now released a ton of photos and videos about the world’s most popular car. About 40 million of the beloved sedans have been sold in 154 countries around the world, and Toyota isn’t too bashful to call its own product “iconic.”

In fact, they say that the new 2014 Corolla’s exterior design is built on their “Iconic Dynamism” theme seen on the Corolla Furia Concept car at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January. As far as I’m concerned, it’s gorgeous.

If I sound excited, hey. The emphasis on appearance might be nice bonus for a car that’s already great.

I drove a Toyota Corolla for 13 years — the same Corolla. It was already five years old when I bought it, and it went another 13 years with only routine maintenance.

Nope, my car wasn’t a beauty. It was a Toyota Corolla LE station wagon so it was pretty much a “mom” car. But it just wouldn’t quit, and it didn’t know how to break down.

The thing is, the good people at Toyota are tired of being loved for their reliability and laughed at for their sense of style. They want to be taken seriously for their art.

Here’s how Motor Trend described the Toyota problem:

“Despite criticism for being plain and appliance-like basic, the Toyota Corolla continues to sell in extraordinary volumes, always landing at or near the top of its class in monthly sales…It doesn’t move the needle, but it certainly moves metal off dealer lots. With the new 2014 Corolla, can Toyota silence its critics while still appeasing the masses?”

Well, I’m not sure what the critics are looking for at the price, but the new Toyota Corolla 2014 offers some interesting features.

LEDs headlamps are now standard, allowing for lighter and smaller headlights. The interior is more luxurious, with little touches like Bluetooth and pollen filters.

There will be a new LE Eco grade with a more efficient 140-horsepower 1.8-liter engine and better aerodynamics. “[T]he model remains committed to delivering world-class fuel economy in the compact segment,” Toyota said in a statement.

I’m not sure if the critics will ever admit that a car so many ordinary people rely on is beautiful too. But who cares?

Will you be taking the 2014 Toyota Corolla for a test drive? I will.

[Toyota Corolla 2014 photos by Toyota]