New 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan Is Here, All Sharpened Up

After taking the Corolla nameplate global again with the introduction of the new generation hatchback and the good looking Touring Sports wagon, Toyota has completed the series with a new sedan model.

Introduced at the Guangzhou International Auto Show in China today, the new Corolla Sedan will be offered in two different flavors. These include the (somewhat) self-explanatory Sporty in North America, China (called Levin), Japan and other regions, while China, Europe and other select markets will (also) get the higher-end Prestige.

The 12th-generation Corolla sedan shares its mechanical and styling genes with the latest Corolla hatchback. Without trying to alienate its broad consumer base, the new compact sedan has a more angular and aggressive design, especially up front, though the rear is more conservative than the hatch.

Inside, you won’t find any differences with the five-door model, with the sedan boasting the same design and tech-rich features, including the Entune 3.0  infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Base U.S. models will get a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher end trims, an 8-inch display.

Like the other Corolla models, the sedan is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. It measures 4,640mm (182.7 in.) long, 1,780mm (70.1 in.) wide and 1,435mm (56.5 in.) tall, with a 2,700mm (106.3 in.) wheelbase.

The wheelbase remains unchanged over its predecessor, but the new Corolla sedan has wider front (+0.47 in.) and rear (+0.87 in.) track dimensions. Furthermore, the front overhang was shortened by 1.3 in., and the rear overhang extended by more than half an inch, while height was reduced 0.8 in., and the hood lowered 1.4 in. for better forward visibility,  which was achieved by mounting the engine lower.

Toyota promises that the new architecture, which includes a multi-link rear suspension instead of the previous model’s torsion beam set up, and a revised MacPherson strut front suspension, brings with it improved driving dynamics as well as higher levels of ride comfort, quietness, and safety.

Very few details were given during the Chinese presentation about the global Corolla’s powertrains, but Toyota did confirm the availability of a 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine and a hybrid variant that will be sold in select regions.

The North American model will get three engine choices, starting with a base 1.8-liter inline-four with 139 horsepower paired to a continuously variable transmission carried over from the old Corolla. Moving up to the SE and XSE models gets you the new Corolla hatchback’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 169 hp and 151 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque found in the hatchback. The XSE is offered only with a CVT, but the SE can be had with six-speed manual with an electronic rev-match feature.

A hybrid variant will join the U.S. range too, with specific details to be announced during the car’s North American premiere at the LA Auto Show on November 28.

“We have striven to design new models that are eye-catching, and fun to both ride in and drive,” said Yoshiki Konishi, chief engineer of the Corolla. “By enhancing not just the fun factors that are unique to cars, but “connectivity” functions to create new value, I wanted to make this new model a car that enriches mobility for customers around the world.”

Sales in the United States and Europe will begin in spring 2019, with the new compact sedan to gradually roll out in more than 150 countries and regions around the world after the second half of the year.

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