2014 Toyota Corolla debuts in Santa Monica

The all-new 2014 Corolla is the 11th generation of the largest-selling car in the world. Along with the Camry it's the very bread and butter of a very bread-and-butter automaker. So it's pretty important for Toyota.

The Corolla hasn't had a significant redesign since 2009, yet last year it sold 290,947 units in the U.S.-- more than the Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta, and Chevy Cruze. It sold more than the Ford Focus sedan and hatchback combined. All of these competitors are either the same age or newer.

Outside, the 2014 Corolla is certainly less milquetoast than the car it replaces. For one, with a Big Mouth Billy Bass front end it recalls a less chrome-laden Avalon. Creases and bulges outline the rest of the car, reminiscent of the Furia concept wrapped around Batman's Tumbler. Perhaps in a bit of youthful baiting, those black and silver wheels on the Corolla S are directly reminiscent of the Scion FR-S. We may be forgiven for thinking that some of its trucklike blockiness may indicate a greater tie-up with Subaru -- namely, the equally blocky XV Crosstrek -- than previously thought.

The wheelbase grows by 3.93 inches; the overall length, by 3.9 inches. Shrinking the overhangs allows Toyota to say "it communicates a more dynamic compact sedan form, even at a standstill." Big news up front: LEDs are standard across all models, allowing for lighter and smaller headlights.

The Corolla's Avalon theme continues on the inside with a dashboard that almost exactly mimics that of its larger brethren. All Corollas will feature Bluetooth, pollen filters, and many power-operated features like locks and windows as standard. A center touchscreen accesses Toyota's Entune on higher trim levels. Thanks to the use of acoustic glass, carpet insulation, and firewall silencing pads, the new Corolla will be much quieter, Toyota promises.

The Corolla comes with two 1.8-liter engines. A 1.8-liter all-aluminum four produces 132 horsepower on L, LE and S trims. The new LE Eco trim will be rated at 140 horsepower, as it debuts Toyota's Valvematic system for the first time in America: this improved variable-valve timing and lift system is said to increase horsepower and fuel economy by at least 5 percent. This means that the LE Eco, made for spendthrift fuel sippers, actually produces more horsepower than the S -- "sport," but with a lowercase s.

The base L model gets a choice of a four-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. (A four-speed, in this day and age?) The other three trim levels will feature a brand-new pulley-type CVT, with seven stepped "gears" that will go far toward minimizing the "rubber band" sensation of traditional (read: cruder) CVTs. Toyota's words, not ours. Corolla drivers will be able to play with the seven "gears" through shifter buttons on the wheel as well as the gearshift lever.

Toyota isn't lying when it says the Corolla is "the best-selling car nameplate on the planet." Like McDonald's, millions and millions have been served, in 154 countries, with cars made in 16 factories. This Corolla will have to meet the demands of all these unique markets. Including ours. We get to drive it in a couple months, so stay tuned for impressions from behind the wheel and pricing announcements as they roll in.

By Blake Z. Rong