Toyota Just Showed Us What the Next Corolla Could Look Like and It’s Wild

Toyota just showed off what might be the biggest redesign in Corolla history at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. The concept sedan represents a complete break from every previous generation, with styling so aggressive it could pass for a European sports sedan. The wild part? Toyota confirmed the next generation will offer five different ways to power it, from pure electric to hydrogen fuel cells.

• The Corolla concept features a dramatic new design with full-width LED light bars, 21-inch wheels, and a fastback profile that makes the current model look outdated.
• Toyota will offer the next Corolla with five powertrains: traditional gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and possibly hydrogen fuel cell.
• The new model is expected to arrive in late 2026 or early 2027, replacing the current 12th generation that’s been around since 2018.

A Complete Design Overhaul

Walk up to this concept and you’ll do a double-take. The front end gets a two-tier light setup with LED running lights stretching across the entire width, sitting above projector headlights hidden behind smoked glass. There’s no traditional grille, just a sleek front fascia with active shutters in the lower bumper.

The windshield extends way forward with barely any front overhang, creating those clean EV proportions. Check out the side profile and you’ll see a low roofline that sweeps back toward the rear, with dramatic dips in the door glass and huge 21-inch wheels pushed out to the corners. Around back, there’s a wraparound LED light bar made up of rectangular pixels that cuts deep into the sides of the car.

Toyota’s CEO Koji Sato says the Corolla has always been “a car for everyone,” and this design aims to keep that promise while dragging the nameplate into a new era. The concept looks more like something from Porsche’s design studio than the sensible sedans Toyota’s known for.

Five Ways to Power It

Here’s where things get interesting. Toyota confirmed the next Corolla will be available with five different powertrains: traditional gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fully electric, and possibly hydrogen fuel cell. This represents a huge shift for Toyota, which has kept its electric and gas models on separate platforms until now.

The concept shows charging port doors on both front fenders and what looks like a fuel filler door on the left rear quarter panel. There’s even a digital display on the driver’s door that shows the battery’s state of charge. The plug-in hybrid version appears ready for production.

Toyota’s developing a new family of 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines that are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than current powertrains. These will likely power the gas and hybrid versions, while the fully electric model will ride on a new platform designed from the ground up to handle multiple powertrain types.

Inside the Future Corolla

The interior looks just as wild as the exterior. Toyota designed a spacious, airy cabin with a pedestal rising from the floor to support the center controls. Instead of a traditional gear lever, there’s a floating panel with a glowing drive mode selector. Some describe it as looking like a glass matchbox car you move up and down to select gears.

The dashboard features a three-spoke steering wheel flanked by digital displays, with the overall design taking cues from aircraft cockpits. Toyota says one of their main goals was creating as much interior space as possible, which makes sense given the Corolla’s role as a practical family car.

The massive windshield extends into the roof, and the low beltline creates an open feeling you don’t typically get in compact sedans. Earth-tone fabrics in shades of brown and beige cover the seats and trim pieces, giving the interior a warm, approachable vibe despite all the high-tech features.

When Can You Buy One

Toyota hasn’t announced exact pricing or a firm launch date, but the math isn’t hard to do. The current 12th generation Corolla hit showrooms in 2018, and most generations stick around for six to seven years. Expect to see the new model debut in late 2026 or early 2027, which means you might start seeing them at your local used car dealership by 2029 or 2030.

Different markets will likely get different versions tailored to regional preferences. China might see one variant, while North America gets another. This flexibility is exactly what Toyota’s going for with the new multi-powertrain platform.

The Corolla has sold more than 55 million units since 1966, making it the best-selling nameplate in automotive history. Toyota clearly wants to keep that momentum going by offering something for everyone, whether you want to plug in at home, fill up with gas, or go full electric.

What This Means for Buyers

Shopping for a compact sedan in the next few years? This shakes up the entire segment. Toyota’s betting big on giving buyers choices rather than forcing everyone into one powertrain type. Got an apartment without charging? No problem. Garage full of outlets? There’s a Corolla for that too.

The styling alone should shake up the segment. Compact sedans have played it safe way too long while crossovers stole their customers. This Corolla concept proves you can make a practical, affordable car that actually looks good. Now we just have to wait and see how much of this concept makes it to production.