Toyota Corolla history: our most successful model

Looking over the Toyota Corolla history, it isn’t hard to see why it has become the world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate. Produced since 1966 and across 12 generations, more than 50 million Corolla models have been sold throughout the world as of the summer of 2021. An incredible milestone for our humble hatchback, you’ll agree.

As you might expect of such a worldwide phenomenon, the history of the Toyota Corolla family is as expansive as its sales figures. So we have compiled individual, comprehensively researched chapters that detail the development, general specifications and public reception of each generation. Click on the bold subheadings to be taken to each chapter.

Learn more: What events led to the introduction of Toyota’s world-beater?

Toyota Corolla History – 1st generation: 1966-1970

Meet the first-generation Toyota Corolla, a people’s car that stunned the world with its new technology, innovative features and uncommon desirability.

2nd generation: 1970-1974

Take a closer look at the second-generation Corolla, which offered greater competence and enhanced performance for the world’s new high-speed era.

3rd generation: 1974-1979

The third-generation Toyota Corolla was developed to meet tightening emissions regulations and in doing so brought many innovations to the entire car industry.

4th generation: 1979-1983

The fourth-generation Corolla continued Toyota’s tradition of appealing to the masses by redefining class benchmarks and setting new production records.

5th generation: 1983-1987

The fifth-generation Corolla was the most comprehensive and revolutionary new model in its history, ushering in front-wheel drive and widespread use of computer technology.

Toyota Corolla History – 6th generation: 1987-1991

Now fully converted to front-wheel drive, the sixth-generation Toyota Corolla continued its worldwide success with a focus on luxury, quality and usability that stirred the senses.

7th generation: 1992-1997

Making the world’s best-seller even better, the seventh-generation Toyota Corolla of the mid-Nineties was bigger, faster and safer than ever before.

8th generation: 1997-2001

The eighth-generation Corolla arrived with body styling specifically tailored for European tastes and desirability on both rational and emotional levels.

9th generation: 2000-2006

We reveal how Toyota went back to the drawing board to develop the ninth-generation Corolla, meeting the requirements of car buyers in the New Millennium.

Toyota Corolla history – the lost years?

Within Europe, the following two generations of Corolla were known by another name, Auris, as this new nameplate was felt to be more closely aligned with the existing Yaris and Avensis model lines.

The first-generation Auris (tenth-generation Corolla) was produced from 2007 to 2012 and was notable for introducing Europe’s first full-production hybrid model, while the second-generation Auris (eleventh-generation Corolla) was produced from 2013 to 2018 and re-introduced an estate version to Toyota’s C-segment line.

Toyota Corolla history – 12th generation: 2019-onwards

The current model reinstated Corolla to Europe with a dynamic appearance and chassis made possible by its high-tech TNGA platform. Three model derivations are available – Hatchback, Touring Sports and Saloon – plus the landmark introduction of a dual hybrid strategy, which added a new and more powerful 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid electric powertrain to the range.

The advantages of the new platform were further reinforced to the public by the Corolla’s high-profile entry into the British Touring Car Championship, where it has proved to be a consistent front-runner in this always-exciting series. Some of that Toyota Gazoo Racing influence is also imbued in the Corolla GR Sport grade, while activities of a more off-the-beaten-track nature were imbued in the limited edition Corolla Trek (below), which gave the Touring Sports model a more rugged, crossover vibe.

Most recently, Corolla has been at the forefront of testing new hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine technology in motorsport (below) as an additional way of helping society achieve carbon-neutral status.