The Striking Toyota Corolla Concept Hits Reset on the Sedan

The Corolla has taken many shapes since its debut in 1966. It's been everything from a hatchback to a sedan, wagon, and a coupe. Some markets even got a small minivan, while others received three- and five-door liftbacks. Toyota’s freedom to use the nameplate across such a broad range of body styles has helped it achieve record-breaking success, with cumulative deliveries surpassing 55 million units, making it the best-selling car in history.

For its thirteenth generation, the Corolla appears headed for a radical transformation. Still a concept for now, this striking sedan rides on 21-inch, Y-spoke wheels and offers a clear glimpse into the future of the iconic nameplate. Reflecting the Corolla’s diverse body style heritage, Toyota plans to offer a wide range of powertrains: from a fully electric model to full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

A pure internal combustion version is also in the works, and Toyota isn’t ruling out an ICE Corolla powered by carbon-neutral fuel. While details remain limited, the world’s largest automaker has already confirmed development of a new family of 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines that will be smaller, lighter, and more efficient than the current ones. Given the Corolla’s importance, it would make sense for it to debut these next-gen powertrains.

Unveiled today at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, the concept represents a dramatic design departure. Frankly, if it weren’t for the rear lettering, we wouldn't have guessed it’s a Corolla at all. Gone is the familiar shape, replaced by a sleek, edge-heavy body with an integrated trunk spoiler and light bars at both ends.