2003 Toyota Corolla Base for Sale in Hawthorne, California

Toyota says the Corolla has been the world's best-selling car when measured over the past 35 years. Apparently, that wasn't good enough. Toyota engineers and executives have not felt the old Corolla was the best sub-compact car in terms of image or value.

What's more the company is concerned that the average age of Corolla buyers in the US is 44 years while buyers of the Honda Civic are an average five years younger than that.

Rather than try to design one new Corolla that would appeal to older and younger buyers, Toyota has introduced two new cars radically different from each other in looks. Yet both are essentially identical under the skin. For younger buyers the Toyota Matrix (see separate nctd.com review) is a stylish five-door hatchback/wagon type vehicle that stands out in the crowded roads.