First introduced in 1968, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in history. Millions of people have driven Corollas, not because Toyota's compact sedan is trendy or cutting edge or head turning, but rather that it's quite the opposite. Conservative, dependable and capable - when you buy a Corolla, there are no surprises.

Hoping to put a little flair in Corolla's staid line-up, Toyota introduces the XRS model for 2005. A sport-tuned suspension and 1.8-liter 170-horsepower engine (compared to the base model's 130 hp) are designed to liven up the old standby. Sport seats and "sporty" accoutrements like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear spoiler, and color-keyed moulding, door handles and rocker panels aim give the Corolla a more youthful feel.

Adequately equipped with air-conditioning, six-speaker CD and cruise control, Toyota is a little stingy with standard amenities, charging $605 for power windows and remote keyless entry and $87 for floor mats. Side curtain airbags are also an option, oddly paired with a sunroof for $1400.

Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in the XRS on the road. Quiet and well mannered, it's a great car for everyday driving. It has some pep, accelerating well to get up to freeway speeds, but for a vehicle that's supposed to be the "sporty" or "performance" version, it was a bit of a letdown. It performs and handles well, but so do the base models. I found the Mazda 6 to have as much life, and nicer packaging.

But, the cabin is pleasant enough, and the safety ratings are what you would expect from Toyota, with the Corolla earning a Best Pick distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (along with a highest "Good" for frontal crashes), and five stars from the NHTSA.

Maybe the old adage is true - you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But this old dog may not need them. It still has the qualities that have made it a best-seller all these years: reliability, quality and safety. The XRS will add a little entertainment to your driving experience, but not necessarily enough to warrant an extra three to six grand.

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