Toyota Corolla 60th anniversary edition revealed

Toyota Motor on May 12 unveiled 60th-anniversary editions of the Corolla Active Sport sedan and Corolla Touring Active Sport wagon in Japan, tying the special models to the nameplate’s 1966 debut. The company said the Corolla has now posted cumulative global sales of more than 57 million units as of March 2026 and is sold in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. The Japan-market anniversary cars arrive as lightly revised versions of existing trims rather than a clean-sheet model. Toyota said the updates include commemorative logos on the front fenders, a laser-engraved anniversary logo on the instrument panel and other design changes, while additional 60th-anniversary editions of the Corolla Sport and Corolla Cross are due in Japan from mid-year onward. (global.toyota) The reveal gives Toyota a fresh Corolla milestone to market while the current generation remains on sale in major markets including the United States. Toyota’s U.S. lineup for 2026 still includes the Corolla sedan, Corolla Hybrid and Corolla Hatchback, with the sedan starting at $23,125 and the hybrid at $24,575, according to Toyota’s U.S. website and press materials. ### Which Corolla models got the anniversary treatment first? (global.toyota) Toyota said the first 60th-anniversary versions are the Corolla Active Sport and Corolla Touring Active Sport sold in Japan. The company described them as updated versions of existing grades rather than a separate global special series. AutoIndustriya reported the sedan receives body-color bumper and rocker finishes, while the wagon uses a Neutral Black finish. (toyota.com) The outlet also said both versions add 17-inch black alloy wheels, commemorative fender logos and a dashboard logo. ### What did Toyota say about the Corolla’s scale? (global.toyota) Toyota said the Corolla has exceeded 57 million cumulative global sales as of March 2026, excluding Toyota driving-school vehicles. The company said the model is sold in more than 150 countries and regions and is produced at 12 business entities across 11 countries and regions, in addition to three plants in Japan. (autoindustriya.com) The Corolla nameplate dates to 1966, according to Toyota’s corporate history materials. Toyota said launch events for the original Corolla were held in Japan in November 1966. ### What powertrain and chassis changes come with these editions? AutoIndustriya reported the anniversary edition keeps Toyota’s 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain in Japan, paired with either front-wheel drive or E-Four all-wheel drive. (global.toyota) The outlet said front-wheel-drive versions get tuned suspension and optimized steering. (toyota-global.com) Toyota’s own release said the anniversary cars are part of a broader set of Corolla updates in Japan that also included minor revisions to the standard Corolla and Corolla Touring, plus a new Corolla-based vehicle for driving schools available as a hybrid. ### Is Toyota already pointing to a next-generation Corolla? Motor.es reported on May 13 that Toyota is preparing a major Corolla redesign for 2027 and linked that future model to the Corolla Concept shown at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. (autoindustriya.com) The publication said Toyota had presented that concept as a preview of the future Corolla and described the coming redesign as broader than a routine generation change. (global.toyota) Motor.es also reported the next Corolla is expected to adopt styling closer to the Prius and to keep a multi-energy approach. That reporting has not been confirmed in the May 12 Toyota release on the anniversary editions, which did not provide a launch date or specifications for a next-generation global Corolla. ### What does this mean for buyers outside Japan right now? (motor.es) Toyota’s May 12 announcement was specific to Japan, and the company did not announce U.S. or Europe anniversary editions in that release. In the United States, Toyota is already marketing 2026 Corolla sedan, hybrid and hatchback models, and the Corolla Hatchback adds an FX special edition for 2026 rather than a 60th-anniversary package. (motor.es) Toyota said the next anniversary-badged launches in Japan will be the Corolla Sport and Corolla Cross from mid-2026 onward. Any broader redesign news would likely come separately from Toyota, after the company’s concept-car teasers and market-specific product announcements. (global.toyota)