The next version of the world's all-time best-selling car could adopt futuristic styling akin to this concept, due to make its public debut later this month.
The humble Toyota Corolla is in line for edgy electric-car styling – and, according to unverified reports out of Japan, more than regular plug-less hybrid power – in its next iteration, if an imminent concept car is a guide.
Images released by Toyota this week provide a first look at the Corolla Concept, a show car that is due to be revealed in full at the Tokyo motor show at the end of this month.
Adopting a sleek sedan shape, the Corolla Concept wears a new version of Toyota's latest 'hammerhead' styling, with a low nose, futuristic front and rear light bars, and sharp lines for a sci-fi look.
It is reminiscent of the bZ3 small electric sedan on sale in China – developed with BYD – and what appears to be a charging port on the front-left wheel arch points to electric propulsion.
The windscreen extends up and over the front passengers' heads, with what appears to be a cockpit-like cabin focused on the driver.
Few details of the show car are known, nor whether it is a direct preview of the next-generation Corolla, or a design study intended to show how the nameplate could look in a decade from now.
It does, however, indicate Toyota has no plans to ditch its iconic small-car range as buyers flock to SUVs, including the high-riding Corolla Cross launched overseas five years ago.
The current Toyota Corolla is approaching eight years old – revealed to the world in March 2018 – so it is due for replacement by a new model.
It is a longer lifespan than the six years of the three previous generations, though Toyota has seemingly held back as sales of small cars continue to decline in favour of SUVs.
A brand-new Corolla may still be years away, given leaked images out of China (above) have revealed Toyota is working on a second facelift for today's sedan variant, wearing the 'hammerhead' styling of the latest Prius and Camry.
Japanese reports have previously claimed the next Corolla could combine the brand's new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with BYD-designed plug-in hybrid technology rated for a 2100km overall driving range.
Toyota has not confirmed these reports, and while it has a partnership with BYD to develop electric cars in China, it has only expanded to a handful of global markets thus far.
More details on the Toyota Corolla Concept are due on the opening press day of the Japan Mobility Show – formerly known as the Tokyo motor show – on October 29, 2025.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
