Toyota is working on a new Corolla, and the sedan could adopt a sportier fastback-style body.
Toyota has yet to reveal details about the next-generation Corolla, but the first images shown on Japanese television have already sparked plenty of interest. The blurred footage shows a vehicle that looks noticeably different from today's Corolla and appears to feature a more athletic body with a gently sloping roofline.
The Toyota Corolla debuted in 1966 and has become one of the most important nameplates in the automaker's lineup. Over the decades, the family has taken on several forms, including sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons. The current generation arrived in 2018, initially with the Corolla Sport hatchback, followed by the sedan and Corolla Touring wagon a year later. The lineup was built on Toyota's TNGA platform, which became the foundation for the model's continued development.
The latest speculation about the next Corolla comes from an NHK documentary that aired in Japan in July 2026. The program included footage related to the development of a next-generation vehicle, including a blurred silhouette of an unidentified model.
The vehicle's name was not disclosed, so there is no confirmation that the car shown is actually the next Corolla. Still, the footage caught attention because the silhouette appears to share several design cues with the Corolla Concept Toyota unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.
The most noticeable feature is the body shape. The roofline flows smoothly from the front toward the rear, giving the vehicle more of a fastback profile than the traditional three-box sedan shape. The side windows and pronounced lower character line on the doors also appear similar to elements seen on the concept.
The next Corolla's powertrain lineup could change as well. Toyota continues to expand its hybrid technology while developing plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. A hybrid is therefore expected to remain part of the lineup, while some markets could also receive a PHEV or fully electric version.
Toyota has not yet said which powertrains will be offered in Japan. Because the Corolla is a global nameplate, its engine and electrified powertrain choices are likely to vary by market.
The future of the Corolla family's different body styles is also unclear. Today, the nameplate covers the sedan, Corolla Touring wagon, Corolla Sport hatchback, and Corolla Cross crossover. With the next generation, Toyota could retain the current structure or reshape the lineup.
The sporty GR Corolla is another model to watch. Rumors suggest Toyota could continue developing the performance version alongside the regular Corolla's transition to a new generation.
For now, all of the details remain speculative. The unofficial images provide only a rough indication of where Toyota's design may be headed, and the production car could look substantially different from the silhouette shown in the footage.
If the reports prove accurate, the next Corolla could gain a more distinctive appearance while retaining its role as one of Toyota's key global models.
The new Corolla is rumored to make its debut sometime in 2027.