The New Toyota Corolla Finally Got Interesting (And Maybe Electric)
Everyone expected Toyota to unveil the Lexus LFR supercar during its Japan livestream. That didn’t happen. Instead, Toyota pulled a complete surprise. The new Toyota Corolla concept showed up out of nowhere. And it looks nothing like the boring sedan we’re used to.
This Might Actually Be Close To Production
Toyota calls it a concept, but the details suggest otherwise. The car has regular side mirrors instead of cameras, which usually means production is near. Here’s the biggest clue: there’s a fuel cap mounted on the front fender. That typically indicates an electric vehicle underneath.
While a plug-in hybrid is possible, Toyota’s existing Prius lineup makes an all-electric Corolla more plausible. An electric Toyota Corolla makes sense given where the industry is heading. But Toyota isn’t abandoning gas engines anytime soon, especially not for the Corolla.
This is the best-selling nameplate in automotive history. Offering it only as an EV would be business suicide for Toyota right now. Toyota has been vocal about its skepticism toward an all-electric future. The company believes gas and hybrid powertrains still have decades of life left. So expect a combustion version to stick around.
Two Versions, One Name
Toyota might take the Lexus ES approach here. The new ES looks nearly identical, whether you get the hybrid or electric version. The Corolla could work the same way. Same body, same interior, different powertrains underneath. Buyers choose based on their needs, not because the design forced their hand.
Another possibility is that this bold concept becomes the electric model exclusively. Meanwhile, a more conventional design handles the gas and hybrid duties. The current Corolla plays it extremely safe with its styling. This concept throws that playbook out the window entirely.
The Design Actually Slaps
Let’s talk about how this thing looks, because it’s genuinely surprising. The new Toyota Corolla concept features pixelated DRLs up front. A ducktail spoiler sits at the rear for added aggression. The beltline does something unusual near the A-pillars. It slopes downward instead of continuing straight, creating a distinctive profile. It’s a small detail that makes a big visual impact.
The hood is noticeably short, which typically signals a dedicated EV platform underneath. No need for engine space means designers can push the wheels forward and maximize interior room. But here’s where it gets confusing. Toyota has been teasing a new ultra-compact four-cylinder engine recently.
That motor could theoretically fit under this short hood, meaning gas isn’t completely off the table.
Either way, this design language represents a massive shift for the Corolla. After decades of conservative styling, Toyota finally decided to take some risks.
What We Don’t Know Yet
Toyota revealed almost nothing about specifications, powertrains, or production timelines. We’re left guessing about battery size, range, horsepower, and pricing. The full reveal happens at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.
Press days start on October 29; you’ll get answers as soon as our Arabwheels Team receives them. Until then, all we can do is stare at photos and speculate wildly.
Conclusion
The new Toyota Corolla concept proves Toyota can build something interesting when it wants to. The Corolla has always been about reliability and practicality over excitement. It’s the car you recommend to people who view driving as a necessary chore.
This new Corolla concept suggests that the era might be ending. Toyota seems ready to inject some actual personality into its most crucial nameplate. If the production version resembles this concept, the Corolla could finally become a car people want, rather than just need.
And if it comes as an EV with decent range and competitive pricing? That could reshape the affordable electric car market overnight. So, does the new Toyota Corolla land in your good books? Let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.