One of the world’s best-selling cars, the Toyota Corolla, has been updated in China with a redesigned front-end and roomier cabin – but it won’t be seen in Australian showrooms anytime soon.
While images were leaked ahead of its official unveiling, the updated Corolla was shown at the Guangzhou motor show this week ahead of its scheduled launch in China in December.
Made by a joint venture between Toyota and FAW (First Auto Works) in China, it sees the existing 12th generation updated, prolonging its life in showrooms there and potentially in other countries.
The Australia-bound next-generation Corolla – which will be sourced from Japan – was shown at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo last month, and will include hybrid, electric and potentially hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains for certain countries.
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Australian spec and equipment is yet to be confirmed, with the new Corolla only shown in concept form so far. It’s expected here in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Chinese-market Corolla’s stylish redesign sees the front-end of the sedan adopt Toyota’s ‘hammerhead’ treatment.
The same look is 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.
It’s also front and centre on the latest Toyota Prius, a hybrid model no longer sold in Australia, but with a comeback on the cards according to recent comments to CarExpert 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 a revised cabin layout and passenger space.
The improved roominess comes from a 50mm increase in wheelbase to 2750mm, making its overall length a significant 75mm more than the Corolla sold here.
There’s also a new centre console, gear selector and repositioned buttons, including air-conditioning controls now operated via the larger 12.9-inch centre touchscreen.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, or a 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid featuring a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery.
It’s not unusual for Toyota to have differently styled versions of the Corolla for different markets. The Corolla sedan offered in markets like Europe, for example, features different front- and rear-end styling to its Australian-market counterpart.
Toyota also offers slightly different versions of the Corolla sedan in China under the Levin and Allion nameplates.
While this facelifted Chinese-market Corolla isn’t coming here, an updated GR Corolla hatch – the performance flagship – has been confirmed for Australian showrooms in early 2026.
