Amidst all the goings on with variants like the Corolla Cross and GR Corolla, it’s easy to forget that the regular 12th-generation Toyota Corolla has been around for seven years now. That would ordinarily make it ripe for a replacement, but it looks to be soldiering on for a while more yet, because the sedan is finally receiving its first proper facelift.
Photos obtained by ChinaEV Home from a filing with China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) show the sedan with an all-new front end, taking a page from the latest Prius and Camry. Here, you’ll find Toyota’s latest “hammerhead” design lined framed by C-shaped headlights, while L-shaped bumper corners with integrated fog lights lead into the slimmer centre air intake.
Elsewhere, the car sports new, intricately-designed two-tone alloy wheels that look suspiciously similar to the rollers on the facelifted sixth-generation Lexus ES from 2015. Also added is a black triangle at the trailing edge of the rear quarter light windows to visually lengthen the glasshouse, while at the rear, some red trim has been added to connect the (now smoked) inverted L-shaped taillights.
By and large, however, the rest of the car looks to be unchanged, saved for black trim to replace the previous chrome. However, we do expect some updates to the interior, similar to what the Camry received for its XV80 heavy facelift. Engine options will likely remain the same, which in China includes 1.2 litre 9NR-FTS four-cylinder and 1.5 litre M15B-FTS three-pot naturally-aspirated engines, plus a 1.8 litre hybrid.
This revision for the FAW Toyota-built Corolla sedan is important for us, given that among all the variants sold in China (which also include the Allion and the GAC-built Levin), this is the one that’s offered in Malaysia. As such, we can expect this model to be launched here sometime next year, still with the sole 139 PS/172 Nm 2ZR-FE 1.8 litre petrol option.
GALLERY: 2023 Toyota Corolla sedan in Malaysia
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Please change the underpowered dual VVTi 1.8 engine to your latest dynamic force la. Should global leaders impose emission tax to ICE engines , baru nak pakai susah terlambat dah!
China models usually have their own unique styling so I would not put too much resemblance to a new corolla here, unless Japan becomes lazy and pushes China spec as a ‘global car’ which ironically will not be sold in homeland Japan.
Toyota corolla claimed to be most sold car around the world in the history but hardly to seen at malaysia road. A good problem free and lasting car actually but malaysia people don’t buy because of the “a bit” expensive pricing.
ugly!
How much this car would be selling in China?. 160,000 yuan?. Selling in Malaysia for RM130,000?.
as always toyota not taking care msia market, all the other countries having better models & engine except msia, just taking corolla 2.0 & yaris cross as an example
For me it’s not the engine but the CVT that needs to go and please give us back that wonderful normal auto with mechanical real gears
Oh no… Another facelift… Why?!?!