Toyota Corolla hybrid will join Prius next year

Under the skin, the Corolla Sedan shares its Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) chassis with the latest Corolla hatchback, along with the C-HR crossover and Camry sedan.

Toyota has taken the wraps off the new 12th-generation Corolla sedan at the 2018 Guangzhou motor show ahead of its launch in worldwide markets, early next year.

Toyota Corolla sedan, United States version.

This represents the 12th generation of the Corolla nameplate, and this time around the sedan and hatch variants are closely related.

The interior design, meanwhile, showcases elements drawn from a "sensuous minimalism" concept, offering a clean, sleek and refined look.

U.S. and Japanese markets get a sportier-looking version called Levin in some Asian markets. Aside from a configuration that lowers the driver's hip point and shifts it rearward, sportier versions get a new front seat design featuring a unique shape, with broad shoulder supports and a headrest nestling into the shoulder area, while seat material on higher grades feature the use of SofTex synthetic leather. Toyota says that the new underpinnings have also improved the car's agility. New features include wireless phone charging, an 8-inch touchscreen-based infotainment system, 7-inch digital instrument panel, and 10-inch head-up display. Track width, however, is up by 0.5 and 0.9 inches at the front and rear, respectively, while a multi-link rear suspension replaces the torsion beam of today's Corolla. The front MacPherson strut layout has also been totally revised for this platform, and newly-developed shock absorbers also make their way on to the auto.

On the stateside, it will use similar powertrain options as the Corolla hatchback, which includes a 2.0-litre petrol engine pumping out 168 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 210 Nm of peak torque delivered at 4,800 rpm. You'll also find a wi-fi hotspot and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay, though sadly still no Android Auto.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla is 61 mm longer than its hatchback twin. The American Corolla sedan will also come with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 fitted as standard.

Regardless of transmission, every Corolla comes standard with active safety features such as a pre-collision warning system with automatic front braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

The initial line up will present the vehicle in Sporty and Prestige forms. While we've yet to drive Toyota's latest compact sedan, our experiences with the mechanically similar Corolla hatchback leaves us confident that the 2020 Corolla will expertly combine quality and refinement in a manner that's sure to put it near the top of its class. Impressively, buyers will be able to add wheels measuring up to 18 inches in diameter. Toyota says the hybrid sedan will be offered in "more than 90 countries and regions". Japan will get the all-new sedan and estate based on the Sporty variant, within the same year.