If a person, any person, wants basic transportation to get to and from work, and only wants to buy 3 cars in their lifetime (one when they're 20, one when they're 40, and one when they're 60), then the Corolla is THE only car to get.
Forget the sportier Mazda 3's, the feature laden Hyundai Elantras, or even the roomier Civic's. The Corolla is King of long-term ownership.