Toyota Celebrates Corolla’s 60th Anniversary with Sporty Special Editions in Japan

Toyota has marked the Corolla’s 60th anniversary with the launch of special Active Sport editions in Japan, emphasizing sporty performance over nostalgic styling. The commemorative models, available for both the sedan and Touring wagon, feature exclusive design elements and enhanced equipment.

The anniversary editions are based on the Active Sport trim, introduced in 2024 with revised styling and chassis tuning. While the Taiwanese versions of the anniversary Corolla included bronze gold trim, the Japanese models adopt a more athletic look. The sedan features body-colored front bumper extensions and side skirts, while the Touring wagon contrasts with Neutral Black accents for a rugged appearance. Both models ride on 17-inch black alloy wheels.

Interior upgrades include a laser-engraved 60th-anniversary logo on the leather-wrapped dashboard. The sedan offers Mid-gray/Black sport seats, while the Touring wagon features a Black/Dark Gray combination. Under the hood, both models retain the familiar 1.8-liter hybrid engine, producing a combined 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS). Power is sent to either the front wheels or all four wheels via a CVT gearbox, with front-wheel-drive variants benefiting from a sportier suspension setup and optimized steering.

The Corolla Active Sport 60th Anniversary sedan starts at ¥3,231,800 ($20,500), while the Touring wagon is priced at ¥3,282,400 ($20,800).

Additional Anniversary Models and Updates

Toyota has confirmed that 60th-anniversary editions of the Corolla Sport hatchback and Corolla Cross SUV will launch later in 2024. The automaker has also introduced minor model year updates for the standard Corolla lineup in Japan, including:

• Standardized Smart Entry and Navigation-Ready Package on the entry-level X grade.
• A new driving school variant in both combustion and hybrid forms, featuring an extra set of pedals for the front passenger.

The refreshed Corolla sedan starts at ¥2,380,400 ($15,100), and the Touring wagon begins at ¥2,447,500 ($15,500). The Japanese Corolla lineup remains hybrid-only, except for the driving school car, which offers a combustion engine and manual gearbox at ¥2,142,800 ($13,600).

Looking Ahead to the Corolla’s Future

The current, 12th-generation Corolla debuted in 2018 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2022. As it approaches the end of its lifecycle, rumors suggest a successor will debut in 2027, potentially incorporating design elements from a recent concept car. Toyota has not yet confirmed official details about the next-generation model.