The 2027 Toyota Corolla is expected to bring a major redesign to one of Toyota’s most important models, with the automaker already signaling that a new generation is on the way. The Corolla Concept debuted at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, followed by a blurry teaser of what appears to be the production car in an NHK documentary.
Toyota has not officially revealed the new Corolla, but the launch is getting closer. The redesign comes as compact sedans face growing competition from SUVs and crossovers.
New Corolla Could Adopt a Fastback-Inspired Design
The next-generation Corolla is expected to move away from the traditional three-box sedan shape in favor of a sleeker, fastback-inspired design based on the concept and Toyota’s teaser.
Some reports suggest the new model could combine sedan and hatchback characteristics, potentially making the separate Corolla Hatchback less necessary in some markets.
If Toyota follows the concept closely, the car could feature slim LED headlights connected by a full-width light bar, sharper side lines and modern flush door handles. At the rear, a narrow taillight stretches across the trunk, creating a wider and lower appearance.
The concept also features a minimalist interior with large screens and few buttons. Toyota has not confirmed which of those features will make it into the production model.
Note: The images in this article are AI-generated visualizations intended to show what the next-generation Toyota Corolla might look like based on the concept. They are not official Toyota images and do not represent the final design.
Toyota’s Multi-Pathway Powertrain Strategy
The next Corolla is rumored to receive its most diverse powertrain lineup yet, with different options potentially offered depending on the market.
The expected lineup includes:
- Gasoline engine: Either a revised 2.0-liter engine or a new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder.
- Next-generation hybrid: Powered by Toyota’s newly developed 1.5-liter engine, with improved efficiency over today’s Corolla Hybrid.
- Plug-in hybrid: A larger battery and greater electric-only driving range.
- Fully electric: Single-motor and dual-motor configurations reportedly under consideration in some markets.
Toyota engineers are also hinting that the new hybrid system could deliver 10% to 20% better fuel economy than the current car. All-wheel drive using the E-Four system is also reportedly being considered.
The approach reflects Toyota’s “multi-pathway” strategy of offering powertrains suited to different markets rather than relying exclusively on electric vehicles.
2027 Debut Expected
Toyota has not announced an official reveal date, but Car and Driver suggests the next-generation Corolla could debut in 2027 and arrive in showrooms as a 2028 model.
If that timeline holds, the new Corolla would arrive almost ten years after the current generation entered the market. The expected redesign would also bring the model a broader range of electrified powertrain choices.
For now, Toyota has kept details of the next Corolla under wraps. The Corolla Concept, teaser image and reported powertrain plans point toward a significant change for Toyota’s compact sedan.
