The new Toyota Corolla is launched in China, with a wheelbase extended to 2750mm

【PCauto】A decade ago, the significance of the Toyota Corolla was almost self-evident. It was one of the best-selling family sedans globally and the go-to choice for many families buying their first car.

Today, however, in China's fiercely competitive automotive market, even the Corolla must undergo more substantial changes than ever to sustain its relevance.

While officially termed a mid-cycle facelift for the Chinese market, the updates to the newly launched Corolla are, in reality, quite comprehensive. The most noticeable is the adjustment in body size.

The new Corolla has undergone a comprehensive design refresh, embracing Toyota's latest family design language. The front end now features C-shaped headlights paired with a smaller intake grille, giving it a look reminiscent of an electric vehicle. The fog light position has been raised, and two new wheel styles have been added. The rear end adds a red trim strip to simulate through-style taillights, giving the overall design a younger and more dynamic appearance.

The new car measures 4710 mm in length, 1780 mm in width, and 1435 mm in height, with a wheelbase extended to 2750 mm—an increase of 50 mm over the previous version.

Inside, an 8.8-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch central control screen now take prominence. The addition of localized connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Huawei HiCar comes alongside a significant reduction in physical buttons. The classic three-spoke steering wheel has been retained, with new features including 50W high-power wireless charging and 64-color ambient lighting. These changes, for the usually conservative Corolla, represent a rare proactive evolution.

All models come standard with the Toyota Pilot driver assistance system, which integrates functions such as fatigue driving monitoring, lane departure warning, and predictive active driving assistance to provide comprehensive safety protection.

For the Chinese market, the new Corolla's powertrain lineup focuses on a 1.8L hybrid system and a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine. The former prioritizes low fuel consumption and a smooth driving experience, with official fuel consumption as low as 4.13 liters per 100 kilometers. The latter delivers an output of 126 kW, addressing the model's traditionally modest power performance.

Meanwhile, the previously available small-displacement turbocharged engine (1.2T) and naturally aspirated version (1.5L) have been discontinued.

Pricing, however, is where the most notable discussion lies. The official guide price remains in the range of RM74,000 to RM87,000. However, through the manufacturer's direct sales policy, the actual entry-level price for the Hybrid model has been lowered to approximately 99,000 RMB (equivalent to around RM58,000).

Competition in China's automobile market remains relentless. In this environment, even an icon like the Corolla must continuously reaffirm its value through concurrent enhancements in space, configuration, and pricing.