Toyota’s 60-Year-Old Corolla Isn’t Getting the Big Celebration You’d Expect

The Corolla Turns 60

2026 is a huge year for the Corolla. That’s because it celebrates its 60th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running nameplates within Toyota and in automotive history. It’s long been a stalwart for the Japanese automaker, and over 55 million have been made since 1966.

It was the Crown that kicked off Toyota’s global ambitions, while the Land Cruiser made it a global brand. But it was the Corolla that showed the world that Japan was to be a force to be reckoned with in the automotive world. The empire that Toyota had built wouldn’t have happened without it.

Where’s the Party?

It’s a milestone occasion, indeed, but Toyota in Japan has been rather muted about it. Apart from some minor equipment enhancements, we’ve yet to see a grand event celebrating its best-selling product of all time. We’re sure it’ll happen, though, and we’re certain that it’ll be a massive party.

But perhaps not wanting to wait too long, Toyota Taiwan kicked off its own celebrations to get things started. Over there, it rolled out three 60th anniversary models, one for each body style. There’s a special edition for the sedan, hatchback, and yes, even the Corolla Cross.

Gold, Gold Everywhere

So, how does Toyota Taiwan commemorate the Corolla’s 60th birthday? With a lot of gold, of course, although in this case, it’s gold-effect bits. For all cars, there are gold stickers applied and 60th Anniversary badges, while the sedan and Cross models get gold-colored grille trim pieces.

Inside, it seems that only the sedan and crossover get some changes. Like the exterior, there are gold highlights, specifically on the steering wheel and some bits on the dashboard. Nothing too dramatic, then, but enough to set it apart from standard models.

You might have noticed that the Corolla sedan looks different from the one sold in Japan and the U.S. Badged as Corolla Altis in Taiwan and Southeast Asia, this ‘Prestige’ front end is applied in certain markets, namely Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China. What the U.S, Canadian, Latin American, and Japanese markets get is the ‘Sport’ look.

What’s Next for the Corolla?

We’re not in the 12th generation of the Corolla, and it made its premiere way back in 2018. That means it’s already eight years old, so it’s defenitely no spring chicken. Most of its rival have undergone significant changes this decade, so it’s in dire need of a new generation.

Toyota did reveal a radical Corolla Concept during the Japan Mobility Show last year. While we’re not expecting the thirteenth-generation to look exactly like it, it does show that Toyota still takes the nameplate seriously. Reports have indicated that the all-new version could be revealed by late 2026 or early 2027, but it’s safe to say that it’ll arrive before the end of the decade. As for the Corolla Cross, it will live on for another generation, likely going hybrid-only.