The popular compact car continues for another year, with minor equipment additions
- The Toyota Corolla has received minor updates for the new model year in Japan.
- All non-hybrid ICE versions have been discontinued, making the lineup hybrid-only.
- Select trim levels gain additional standard features, resulting in slight price increases.
Toyota is leaning even harder into its hybrid strategy at home, doubling down on electrified drivetrains as it updates one of its most popular models. The automaker has announced several model year changes for the Corolla lineup in Japan, but the headline is clear: every version of the Corolla sold there will now be hybrid only.
According to the company, dropping all non-hybrid Corollas in the Japanese market is part of its broader push toward carbon neutrality. This means buyers will have just one option under the hood, the 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain. It’s a move that aligns with what Toyota did in Europe back in 2022, where it stopped selling non-hybrid Corollas. However, European customers still have the choice between the 1.8-liter and a more powerful 2.0-liter hybrid variant.
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The 1.8-liter gasoline engine in the hybrid Corolla produces 97 hp (72 kW / 98 PS). In front-wheel drive (2WD) models, it works alongside a single electric motor delivering 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS). Opting for all-wheel drive (E-Four) adds a second electric motor at the rear, contributing an additional 40 hp (30 kW / 41 PS).
More Standard Equipment
The current 12th generation of the Corolla was introduced in 2018, with a mild facelift in 2022. However, Toyota keeps improving the compact car with small changes, keeping it relevant against the competition. For this year, Japanese buyers gain access to more standard equipment in mid-spec models.
