2014 Toyota Corolla Spotted Testing in the U.S.

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While the Toyota Corolla may not appeal to many enthusiast buyers, it does win the hearts of a large swath of the American population. With the current Corolla getting on in age, Toyota is prepping a new version that our spy shooters managed to catch testing.

Despite the camouflage, we have a decent look at what the tenth-generation Corolla will look like. Unsurprisingly, it will pull cues from its big brother, the new-for-2012 Camry. The headlights seem to have the same angular shape as the Camry's, but the upper and lower grilles look to be cribbed from the 2013 Avalon. Circular fog lamps boast surrounds similar to those on the Camry and Avalon, but appear here in black plastic instead of chrome-clad plastic trim.

Around back, the 2014 Corolla is all Camry. From what we can see, the taillights have the same boomerang shape and clear lenses for both turn signals and reverse lights. The camouflage obscures the trunk's actual shape, so we can't yet tell if it the Corolla's hind quarters will be slab-sided like the Camry, or include a sharp character line like the Avalon.

The next Corolla may be moving a bit upmarket - the car seen here has goodies such as projector-beam headlights and plenty of chrome trim around the windows. Inside, the Corolla adopts the new corporate steering wheel with oversized controls and a Camry-like gauge cluster, complete with oversized speedometer. We expect Toyota's Entune infotainment system to be available as an option.

Currently, the 2012 Corolla is powered by a 1.8-liter I-4 producing 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. We wouldn't be surprised to see that engine carried over, but tweaked to return better fuel economy, as the current car is rated at 27/34 mpg city/highway. A six-speed manual will most likely replace the five-speed manual currently offered, but what may replace the ancient four-speed automatic is anyone's guess. Our bet is on the same six-speed automatic seen elsewhere in Toyota's lineup.

The 2014 Corolla will make its debut sometime next year, with production supposedly starting in the second quarter at Toyota's plants in Blue Springs, Mississippi, and Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

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