The European Toyota Corolla 60th Anniversary range. Photo source: Toyota.
Toyota Corolla turns 60 and receives anniversary editions in Europe
Toyota is marking 60 years since the Corolla model's appearance with three special editions for Europe: Hatchback, Touring Sports and Sedan. Orders have opened in participating markets, and first deliveries are scheduled for the end of October 2026.
The anniversary editions do not bring new engines or a different generation. The changes concern colours, wheels, trim, equipment and “60th Anniversary” badges. Toyota keeps the full-hybrid systems already used by the current Corolla.
Corolla has exceeded 57 million examples
The first Toyota Corolla was launched in Japan in 1966, and the official 60th anniversary is on 20 October 2026. Since then, the Corolla name has been used for several body types and generations adapted to different regions.
Toyota announces cumulative global sales of more than 57 million Corolla cars. The figure includes the entire family marketed under this name, not only the current European versions.
The European models also have local production. Hatchback and Touring Sports are built in the United Kingdom, and the Sedan is produced in Turkey. The anniversary editions continue this industrial organisation.
Boreal Blue for Hatchback and Touring Sports
The Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports 60th Anniversary receive a new metallic shade, Boreal Blue, combined with a Night Sky Black roof and pillars. This two-tone configuration is reserved for the anniversary edition.
The two bodies have 10-spoke alloy wheels with a contrasting matt and machined finish, plus chrome-black nuts. The front bumper and sills receive matt silver trim, and elements around the fog lamps and certain rear details have a darker finish.
Touring Sports adds a matt silver insert in the lower part of the rear bumper. On the lower edge of the rear doors appears “60th Anniversary” graphics, also in matt silver.
In the cabin, the sills and floor mats have anniversary markings. Toyota does not announce structural changes to the seats or to passenger and luggage space.
The sedan has a colour of its own
The Corolla Sedan 60th Anniversary uses the Lunar Sky Blue shade and takes most of the decorative elements from the other two versions. It receives the same 10-spoke wheels, anniversary badges, inscribed sills and dedicated floor mats.
A matt silver band is applied at the base of the boot lid. For customers who do not choose the specific blue, Toyota also mentions Platinum White Pearl and Ash Grey colours, depending on market and body.
Two full-hybrid powertrains, but not on all bodies
Hatchback and Touring Sports will be orderable with two full-hybrid systems:
- 1.8-litre engine and total power of 140 hp;
- 2.0-litre engine and total power of 178 hp.
The sedan is announced exclusively with the 1.8-litre, 140 hp hybrid system. It is not a plug-in hybrid, so the battery is not charged from a socket. The system recovers energy under braking and can move the car electrically over short distances, depending on battery level and driving conditions.
Toyota has not published different consumption or performance data for the anniversary editions. In the absence of announced mechanical changes, they should be viewed as equipment versions of the current Corolla, not as more powerful variants.
Screens and safety systems remain the familiar ones
Equipment includes digital instruments with a diagonal of about 31.2 cm and the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system with a screen of around 26.7 cm. The package offers connected navigation and updated traffic information.
Toyota T-Mate and Toyota Safety Sense include, among other features, a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, sign recognition and avoidance-manoeuvre assistance. Some functions may receive remote updates.
The exact equipment list can vary between countries. The European press release describes the common base, but national importers set the equipment, packages and prices of each market.
Europe and North America receive different editions
In the United States, the Corolla 60th Anniversary is a Hybrid Sedan based on the SE grade and will be produced in 2,500 examples. Canada receives another 250 cars. North American deliveries are scheduled for early 2027.
Europe receives all three bodies mentioned, and Toyota has not communicated an overall numerical limit. The European edition is therefore more a special version available in several markets than a collector series comparable to the American one.
Will it also be sold in Romania?
Toyota Romania currently markets the Corolla Hatchback, Touring Sports and Sedan, so all three European bodies are already present in the range. At the time of the article's publication, the 60th Anniversary edition did not yet have a price or a separate page in the Romanian configurator.
The Toyota Europe announcement does not guarantee that every combination of body, engine and colour will be imported in all countries. Availability in Romania, delivery time and the price difference versus ordinary trims must be confirmed by the importer.
For a buyer, the edition's value will depend mainly on the equipment included and the price. Anniversary markings and the distinctive colour differentiate the car visually, but they do not change the hybrid system, range, interior space or maintenance costs announced for the standard range.
