Toyota is preparing to introduce the electric version of its best-selling car of all time, the Corolla. With over 57 million sold worldwide since 1966, the Corolla is widely considered the best-selling vehicle to date. The upcoming version will look very different from its predecessors, as Toyota offered a sneak peek at the Japan Mobility Show. Toyota CEO Koji Sato asked, "How should the Corolla evolve?" The Japanese automaker is planning a drastic overhaul, including a sleek new design, high-tech interior, and updated platform. Toyota's current chairman and former CEO, Akio Toyoda, warned in July that the company is being forced to adapt, or "it cannot survive," amid new competition from China.

The next-gen Corolla is expected to come in several powertrains, including gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric. Toyota engineers told Car and Driver that the hybrid will use a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering about 134 horsepower combined. The hybrid system will be roughly 10% to 20% more efficient than the current setup. The Corolla EV is expected to be available in single- and dual-motor configurations with a driving range of at least 250 miles. Whether Toyota will bring the Corolla EV to the US is still uncertain. The next-gen Corolla is expected to debut in 2027 as a 2028 model year, with gas versions starting around $25,000 and EVs priced in the $30,000 range.