Boston.com's view

It may be that the form and function of the ninth generation of the Toyota Corolla came about because of simple, enduring evolution.

I suspect, however, that the Koreans had something to do with it, offering better-equipped, similar cars at better prices – and waving a 100,000-mile warranty in the faces of potential customers.

For whatever reason, the 2003 Corolla, most recent in a line of designs that has sold more than 25 million worldwide since its introduction in 1966, is bigger, better equipped, and, with comparable standard features, 6 to 11 percent cheaper (depending on model choice) than last year’s Corolla. This is the same move Toyota made with the new Camry.

It is longer, taller, wider, more muscular looking and 200 pounds heavier – but with an added 5 horsepower, up to 130, to help haul that extra bulk.

The world’s most popular car got that way because it was a lovable, reliable, comfortable box that sipped gasoline while many other popular cars and SUVs guzzled. It never pretended to be a sports car. Never hinted at luxury. Never rolled out a long list of standard features. Never claimed to be anything other than virtually indestructible. Now, one model hints at sportiness, all offer a fit and finish that is downright Lexus-like (leather seats are an option on one model), and the list of standard features grows longer and longer as you climb the offerings from base CE to S to LE.

All come equipped with a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, twin-cam engine. It produces 130 horsepower and peak torque of 125 lb.-ft. at just over 4,000 rpms. Transmission choices are between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic.

The tested model, an LE with the automatic, got just over 33 miles per gallon. Toyota says the manual will deliver about 36 miles per gallon. One thing has remained the same: It still sips gasoline. And that is impressive because the new Corolla is hardly a tiny, square box any longer.

Inside, headroom and legroom are ample. Four adults ride in comfort on firm seats. A fifth passenger, in the middle of the rear seat, would be a bit cramped.

The curving dash gives a sense of spaciousness and the ergonomic design is typical Toyota in simplicity and function. Large, familiar climate control dials are low at center dash while big knobs and buttons control the sound system.

Despite its extra weight, the car feels snappier than Corollas of the past, and I suspect that that owes not only to the extra horsepower but to a sleeker body shape. The ride is smooth and wonderfully quiet.

Suspension is fully independent with stabilizer bars front and rear, struts up front and torsion beams in the rear.

The result is a very solid, big-sedan-like ride. It held flat in highway passing and stayed flat in hard cornering on back roads.

The four-speed automatic was efficient and barely noticeable in its actions, shifting up and down crisply without the searching that often goes on in cars with small engines and automatic transmissions, especially when hauling a full complement of passengers or climbing a long hill.

Perhaps most noticeable to Corolla fans will be the list of standard features available on the three models.

Start with the $13,370 CE and notice that it comes with air conditioning, power mirrors, radio/CD player with four speakers, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, tachometer, outside temperature gauge, intermittent wipers, and remote hood, trunk, and fuel door releases. Add about $800 for the automatic transmission on all models.

The sporty S gives you smoked headlights, front and rear underbody spoilers, shaped rocker panels, leather-covered steering wheel and shifter, sport tachometer and a special charcoal fabric for seating. Its base price is $14,515.

The top-of-the-line LE carries as additional standard features power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, a wood-like trim for the center instrument panel, vertical seat height adjustment, and a c ter console box. You can also get leather seating in the LE. (leather in a Corolla; as my grandmother used to say, “`Whodathunkit?”)

Base price on the LE is $14,680, about $1,000 less than a comparably equipped 2002 model.

The test car had as options an all weather guard package ($70); antilock brakes ($300); driver and passenger side air bags ($250); cruise control ($250); and an upgraded audio system with six speakers ($140).

There is no reason, at these prices and with these standard features, that the Corolla will not continue to be the world’s most popular car.

It has evolved from a comfortable, reliable, efficient little box into a more comfortable, reliable, efficient bigger box, albeit with softer edges.

Nice touch: A plethora of little storage bins.

Annoyance: $300 for the ABS. We know it is safer, we know it costs the manufacturer more to add it to the car. But please, let’s just make it standard on all cars and raise the base price accordingly.

2003 Toyota Corolla LE

Base price: $15,480

Price as tested: $16,975

Horsepower: 130

Torque: 125 lb.-ft.

Wheelbase: 102.4 inches

Overall length: 178.3 inches

Width: 66.9 inches

Height: 57.7 inches

Curb weight: 2,590 lbs.

Seating: 5 passengers

Fuel economy: 33.2 mpg

SOURCE: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc..; fuel economy from Globe testing.

Nice touch

A plethora of little storage bins.

Annoyance

$300 for the ABS. We know it is safer, we know it costs the manufacturer more to add it to the car. But please, let’s just make it standard on all cars and raise the base price accordingly.