Jump LinksThe Demise Of The Small SedanWhen Can You Buy One?When it comes to cars you can always depend on, there aren't many that are better than the Toyota Corolla. Sold as a sedan and hatchback since 1966, it has become one of the most sold vehicles ever, and defies the era of crossovers and SUVs by continuing to be a reliable choice for a variety of customers. Now, in its next iteration, it won't feel like an appliance; Toyota says it's going to be a vehicle you'll "want to drive."Will it be just as successful as its forebears? Or will it fade into obscurity with the rise of small crossovers and electric cars? The Japanese marque is confident that it can take them all on, and be something you can build a connection with. Here's all we know about the upcoming Corolla.We have used a variety of reputable sources to provide the latest information we know about the upcoming Toyota Corolla. We have also predicted details based on previous models and current trends. Some details may differ from the final production vehicle. The Next-generation Toyota Corolla Is "To You" Carscoops/MIIT/ToyotaNow coming up to its 50th anniversary, the Toyota Corolla has always been a litmus test for other small hatchbacks and sedans to compare themselves too. With the upcoming generation, due in 2027, Toyota is focused on making the car feel more like it has a soul, and not just another nameless appliance."Every year, nearly 10 million customers choose a Toyota car. What we must never forget is that these 10 million are not a single customer, but 10 million individuals. The words “To You” sum that up perfectly. For me, that really hit home."- Akio Toyoda, Toyota ChairmanThe company revealed a different brand strategy for all its nameplates last fall, and Corolla's was "To You." It suggests that the automaker wants to meet customer demands, and with its slower-than-average adoption of electric vehicles, it seems that the 2027 Corolla will continue to be all things to all people.This Toyota Corolla redesign looks to be more of a refresh than a whole new model, and it'll bring it closer in line with the rest of the Toyota lineup. That means the lights at the front are different, and we'll see new interior features compared to the current generation. The big target for Toyota is making sure the Corolla keeps its reliable and dependable status that it's known for. The Demise Of The Small Sedan 2015_ford_focus_sedan_frontToyota continuing to sell the Corolla in the United States goes against what the rest of the industry is doing, especially from the US's home brands. Ford killed the Focus sedan, and Dodge got rid of its Dart sedan, both for the same reasons - crossovers were taking over and sedans didn't have the same appeal anymore. Even if sales are down overall for this segment, less choice means that Toyota will naturally take on more customers. Some are still being sold, but we'll look at those a bit later on. The Design Is What We Expected 2026 Toyota Corolla MIIT Photos (1)Toyota made headlines with a similarly named concept car at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, although the 2027 Toyota Corolla will probably not be quite as striking. While that car looked slightly like it was designed by three designers who weren't on speaking terms, this one is a much safer bet. It features the same C-shaped lights and light bar that you'll find on the latest Camry and Prius, bringing the model ranges closer together.This safe approach to the new Corolla means it doesn't alienate buyers of the previous generation and brings down development costs. That leads to cheaper prices for consumers, too. We know this will be the design when you come to buy a next-gen Corolla as it was leaked by CarScoops and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. We don't know what the interior looks like yet, though.We're not completely sure yet if this minor facelift will be for China only, or if the next US-bound Corolla will look radically different from the last. If the looks are completely updated, they'll probably take some inspiration from the concept car yet still tone them down so as not to stick out in the model range. We'd put our money on it looking like the leaks, though. A Simple Powertrain For A Simple Car ToyotaDon't expect fireworks under the hood of the latest Toyota Corolla, as its position in the market relies on cheap parts and simple yet efficient engines. The regulatory leaks in China did hint at what may be hiding underneath, although not everyone agrees on what it will launch with.Some sources indicate the current 1.8L hybrid and 2.0L gas engines carrying over, but others mention a downsized, albeit more efficient, 1.5L engine that takes up less space under the hood and reduces complexity. We can expect fuel efficiency ratings to stay over 50 mpg, as this car's small engines are built to be as friendly on your wallet as possible.We could even expect to see an electric version to rival the Nissan Leaf, which starts at under $30k. Toyota has been slower to adopt this powertrain type than other automakers, so we're not sure if it'll really happen in the US. Competition Has Nothing On The Name 2026 Honda Civic SiThe big plus of the Corolla is that it's called a Corolla. Like its biggest rival, the Honda Civic, people know what to expect from it, and it will continue to be the default choice for those who want a small sedan or hatchback. The Toyota needs to prove that it's still as reliable as always, and it'll have to prove its worth against SUVs. While the market might not demand this type of vehicle as much as it used to, there's still a niche for it, with people looking for affordable and reliable transport.The current Corolla sedan sits at around $23k, which is about the middle of its class. We'd expect a small price bump up to $24k, with the hybrid version being a few thousand more. While there aren't as many competitors as there used to be (even the Nissan Versa is dead after 2026), buyers simply have more choice over shape going into 2027. It's one of the reasons Toyota chose the name 'Corolla Cross' for its small crossover - people trust the name.Other models are also said to be getting a refresh for the 2027 model year, including the Civic. While automakers are still tentative about bringing out new sedans, it's mainly just the brands that only sell cars in the United States. Other markets are still much friendlier towards sedans and hatchbacks, so more itnernational manufacturers continue investing in this classic style. Why Is The New Toyota Corolla So Important? Toyota With automakers killing off their classic names - think Ford Focus or Dodge Dart - having a Corolla still on sale gives people a known and reliable name to look towards. It also shows that there's still a place for small sedans and hatchbacks in the US, and even though they may not command the same sales numbers, they're still great for first-time drivers and as affordable transport.It also shows that Toyota is still commited to gas engines. So many automakers are switching over to BEVs, but it's still not the right direction for many consumers. The next-gen Corolla can focus on being cheap to run and buy instead of catering to electric vehicle development costs. With this car being one of the first under the "To You" moniker, it'll show where the brand wants to pivot and what future products will feel like. Instead of being a car you feel like you have to buy, it'll be a car you look forward to picking up. When Can You Buy One? We're expecting a late 2026 announcement for Toyota's 13th-gen Corolla, and it will probably be only slightly more expensive than the current iteration. Currently, pricing looks like this:There's no word on the design or even the status of the upcoming hatchback, but we'd like to see the hybrid option there if Toyota decides to keep the shape on sale. Being one of the cheapest cars in Toyota's range, expect to see few creature comforts on the aggressively-priced base model, but lots of trims to satisfy every buyer. With the RAV4 SUV now fully hybrid across the range, it'll be interesting to see how much more expensive the option is compared to the gas-only variant.Sources: Toyota