Toyota concept previewing next-generation Corolla styling. Photo: motor1.com
The next Toyota Corolla could come with as many as four different powertrains. A traditional hybrid looks the most likely choice, while a pure combustion version, a battery-electric model and a plug-in hybrid are also possible, depending on the market. What you can order will depend on where you live.
Four domains for multiple powertrains
To make that spread work, the compact model would use a reworked electrical architecture. A Japanese report says Toyota may split it into four functional domains, listed as driver assistance, cabin controls, body electronics and motion control. The point of the split is to let Toyota adapt the systems to the powertrain type and the equipment level of each version.
Toyota has already announced a new family of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, and claims they are lighter and more efficient than the current ones. The smaller 1.5-litre unit is the likely fit for a compact car such as the Corolla.
What changes from the twelfth generation
The next Corolla is also in line for a radical redesign and a new interior. The current, 12th-generation car has been in production since 2018. In the US it uses a 169hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder, with a 1.8-litre hybrid alongside it. A concept shown a year ago previewed the styling of the replacement, with 21-inch wheels, a descending beltline and frameless doors.
The 13th-generation Corolla could be revealed next year, with a North American version arriving as a 2028 model, according to the report.
