New Toyota Corolla Sedan Previews Global Redesign

A Familiar Name Nears a New Chapter
Few nameplates carry the weight of the Toyota Corolla. Since its debut in the 1960s, it has grown into one of the world’s best-selling cars and a cornerstone of Toyota’s lineup. The current 12th generation has been on sale since 2018, and while it has received minor updates – including a light upgrade for the 202 model year – the core design is showing its age.

Toyota appears ready to move on. Regulatory filings in China point to the arrival of the 13th generation, with a production version already nearing its debut there. This marks the first clear sign that a fully revamped Corolla is on the horizon.

A First Look at the Corolla Sedan in China
Images from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveal a sedan wearing the “Corolla Allion” name. The redesign follows Toyota’s newer styling language, already seen on the latest Prius and Camry. Up front, the headlights adopt a split layout with a C-shaped LED outline and a slim light strip across the upper section. High and low beams sit low in the bumper, framed by black accents and a dark horizontal grille. A more prominent front spoiler and smaller bumper intake sharpen the nose.

The Hottest Toyota Corolla Shapes Up to Be a Real Looker
The sides show few changes apart from new wheel designs, while the rear features reworked taillights now connected by an illuminated strip and darker trim in place of the previous blue hybrid badge. Structural cues such as the unchanged windshield and roof pillars suggest this is a significant refresh on the existing platform rather than an all-new chassis, but the visual update is substantial.

What It Means for America
For China, the leaked documents list a pair of familiar powertrains. A 1.8-liter hybrid setup delivers about 97 to 98 horsepower and pairs with a lithium nickel-cobalt-manganese battery. Fuel economy is rated as low as 57 mpg, with a top speed near 99 mph. A naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine produces roughly 169 to 171 horsepower and reaches 112 mph. Front-wheel drive and either a CVT or a 10-speed automatic transmission remain the standard arrangement.