The Toyota Corolla is exiting production, just not the version we see in Australian showrooms.
Overnight, Toyota announced the ‘E160’-generation, narrow-body Corolla Axio sedan and Corolla Fielder wagon will wrap up production in October 2025, bringing a 13-year run to an end.
While they wear the Corolla name, these aren’t related to the E170 wide-body Corolla sedan and hatchback currently sold by Toyota in Australia.
However, there’s a chance you’ve likely seen one or even ridden in one, as they’re a popular grey import used by drivers for some rideshare companies as well as taxi operators.
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Part of the appeal is the availability of an efficient 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, shared with the Toyota Prius C which was previously sold in Australia.
Another factor is price. In Japan, petrol-only Corolla Axios models start from about 1.64 million Yen (~A$17,000), and top out closer to 2.21 million Yen ($22,900) for flagship hybrids.
The larger Corolla sedan meanwhile starts at 2.03 million Yen ($21,000) in petrol guise, and reaches 3.14 million Yen ($32,500) for a top-spec hybrid.
It’s worth noting the Toyota B platform which underpins the Corolla Axio and Fielder can be traced back to the second-generation Toyota Yaris from 2005, though various upgrades have kept it alive for the past two decades.
By contrast, the TNGA-C architecture in the Australian-delivered Corolla was introduced in 2018, and can be found under a wider array of vehicles including the C-HR, Corolla Cross, the new Prius and the Lexus UX.
It’s not yet clear whether Toyota will replace the Corolla Axio and Corolla Fielder, as it’s already got a number of models on the updated TNGA-B platform such as the Yaris and Yaris Cross.
