One of the best-selling cars in the world, that Toyota Corollahas been updated in China with a redesigned front end and a roomier cabin – but won’t be appearing in Australian showrooms any time soon.
While images have leaked ahead of its official unveiling, the updated Corolla was shown at the Guangzhou Motor Show this week before going on sale in China in December.
Manufactured by a joint venture between Toyota and FAW (First Auto Works) in China, the existing 12th generation will be updated, extending its lifespan in showrooms there and possibly in other countries.
The Australia-bound next-generation Corolla – which will come from Japan – was shown at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo last month and will include hybrid, electric and possibly hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for certain countries.
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Australian specifications and equipment have yet to be confirmed as the new Corolla has only been shown in concept form so far. It is expected here in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Corolla’s stylish redesign for the Chinese market adopts Toyota’s “hammerhead”-style sedan front end.
The same look can be seen on other Toyotas sold both globally and in Australia, including the new generation RAV4, C-HR and Camry, as well as the electric bZ4X.
Also in focus is the latest Toyota Prius, a hybrid model that is no longer sold in Australia but, according to recent comments, has the prospect of a comeback Daily Sparkz from executives at Toyota Australia.
With C-shaped LED headlights, a sportier front bumper and new 17-inch wheel designs, the Corolla’s China facelift also brings with it a revised cabin layout and passenger space.
The improved spaciousness results from a wheelbase increased by 50 mm to 2750 mm, making the overall length a significant 75 mm longer than the Corolla sold here.
There’s also a new center console, gear selector and repositioned buttons, including the air conditioning controls, which are now operated via the larger 12.9-inch center touchscreen.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine or a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery.
It’s not uncommon for Toyota to offer differently styled versions of the Corolla for different markets. For example, the Corolla sedan offered in markets such as Europe features a different front and rear design than its Australian market counterpart.
Toyota also offers slightly different versions of the Corolla sedan in China under the Levin and Allion names.
While this facelifted Chinese-market Corolla isn’t available here, an updated GR Corolla Hatch – the performance flagship – has been confirmed for Australian showrooms in early 2026.
MORE: Explore the Toyota Corolla showroom
