Toyota Just Killed Every Gas-Only Corolla In Japan
- The Toyota Corolla has received minor updates for the new model year in Japan.
- All non-hybrid ICE versions have been discontinued, making the lineup hybrid-only.
- Select trim levels gain additional standard features, resulting in slight price increases.
Toyota is leaning even harder into its hybrid strategy at home, doubling down on electrified drivetrains as it updates one of its most popular models. The automaker has announced several model year changes for the Corolla lineup in Japan, but the headline is clear: every version of the Corolla sold there will now be hybrid only.
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According to the company, dropping all non-hybrid Corollas in the Japanese market is part of its broader push toward carbon neutrality. This means buyers will have just one option under the hood, the 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain. It’s a move that aligns with what Toyota did in Europe back in 2022, where it stopped selling non-hybrid Corollas. However, European customers still have the choice between the 1.8-liter and a more powerful 2.0-liter hybrid variant.
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The 1.8-liter gasoline engine in the hybrid Corolla produces 97 hp (72 kW / 98 PS). In front-wheel drive (2WD) models, it works alongside a single electric motor delivering 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS). Opting for all-wheel drive (E-Four) adds a second electric motor at the rear, contributing an additional 40 hp (30 kW / 41 PS).
More Standard Equipment
The current 12th generation of the Corolla was introduced in 2018, with a mild facelift in 2022. However, Toyota keeps improving the compact car with small changes, keeping it relevant against the competition. For this year, Japanese buyers gain access to more standard equipment in mid-spec models.
Among the new additions are front and rear dashcams with built-in recording functionality, along with a digital key feature. These now come standard across all trims except one. Toyota has also rolled in more driver assistance features, including Blind Spot Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, and Parking Support Brake.
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The G trim, available in both sedan and Touring (wagon) body styles, gains LED fog lights and a new set of 16-inch aluminum wheels. Meanwhile, the base X trim sticks with 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps. It also skips the infotainment screen, keeps a basic analog instrument cluster, and misses out on the upgraded headlight design seen in higher trims. On the bright side, all Corollas now feature LED lighting at both ends.
Pricing and Availability
The mildly updated Corolla Sport hatchback goes on sale May 9th, with the sedan and Touring variants following on May 19th.
Pricing starts from ¥2,279,200 ($15,700) for the cheapest Corolla Hybrid X, and tops out at ¥3,416,600 ($23,500) for the most expensive Corolla Touring Active Sport Hybrid E-Four special edition. The entry-level model is ¥139,400 ($960) more expensive compared to its predecessor, with price increases across the lineup ranging from ¥11,200 to ¥226,600 ($80 to $1,600), depending on the trim.
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Toyota hasn’t revealed much about what comes next, but a new generation of the Corolla is expected to debut in 2026. The next iteration will likely bring another round of efficiency improvements, a revamped hybrid setup, updated styling, and more advanced tech.