The 2028 Toyota Corolla is an affordable sedan worth waiting for, as the automaker prepares a major overhaul of its compact sedan lineup. Toyota revealed a flashy concept vehicle in late 2025, signaling that production models will likely adopt the dramatic styling with minimal changes. The interior is expected to feature a more modern design with larger screens and simplified controls, though the concept car appeared to eschew many traditional buttons.
Why the Update Is Needed
The Corolla is one of Toyota’s top-selling models. Last year, it ranked as the brand’s fourth-best seller in the United States with 248,088 units sold, making it the 11th-best-selling vehicle nationally. However, the current sedan has been on sale since 2020, and the hatchback arrived in 2019. The model faces stiff competition from the Honda Civic and the rising popularity of subcompact SUVs like the Corolla Cross, which have become the default choice for many buyers seeking an inexpensive vehicle.
For many drivers, a sedan remains the most practical choice for daily commuting and family trips, offering better fuel economy and a more traditional driving position than a lifted crossover. The new model aims to balance that practicality with the tech upgrades consumers now expect.
Powertrain Options
The next Corolla will ride on a heavily reworked version of the TNGA-C architecture, allowing for a diverse range of powertrains. The lineup is expected to include a gas-only option, a standard hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and an electric model. Toyota engineers told Car and Driver that the standard hybrid system will generate approximately 134 horsepower, with the engine contributing 94 hp and the electric motor adding 40 hp. This setup is projected to be 10 to 20 percent more efficient than the current hybrid.
While other Toyota models like the Camry and RAV4 have moved to hybrid-only lineups, the Corolla will retain a gas-only version. The base engine could be a 1.5-liter unit capable of accepting a turbocharger, or it may use a revised version of the current turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. An all-wheel-drive version with an additional motor on the rear axle is also possible. The plug-in hybrid will debut with a larger battery and more electric range, though details remain limited.
Toyota plans to launch an electric Corolla, though it is unclear if the model will be sold in the United States. If it arrives, it will offer single- and dual-motor configurations and target at least 250 miles of range. A sporty GR-badged variant is also planned, powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of reaching up to 395 horsepower.
Arrival and Pricing
The next-generation Corolla is expected to hit dealerships in 2027 as a 2028 model. Toyota has not signaled a major price increase, with the current gas version starting near $25,000 and the hybrid model priced in the $27,000 range. The plug-in hybrid and electric variants are likely to land in the $30,000 range. The company will need to keep costs manageable to maintain the Corolla’s appeal against rivals like the Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda 3.
