Limited-edition Corolla looks good, but performance is lacking
It’s been 60 years since the Toyota Corolla debuted in Japan and the plucky sedan has weathered just about every storm thrown at it. An early shift from rear- to front-wheel drive, attempts to shed its image as a mundane appliance, and a massive shift towards crossovers have not deterred the Corolla, which is still the first choice for many commuters looking for a reliable and affordable car. For the 2027 model year, Toyota has launched a 60th Anniversary Special Edition of the sedan in the U.S., celebrating its legacy while adding a touch of exclusivity and sportiness to the model.
Toyota Corolla 60th Anniversary Edition Features
2027 Toyota Corolla 60th Anniversary Special Edition
Toyota
Limited to just 2,500 units in the U.S., the new Anniversary Edition model will be quite rare by ubiquitous Corolla standards. Based on the SE Hybrid trim level, this special model will be available in either Ice Cap or Supersonic Red paints, the latter being unique to this variant. Although the 2027 Corolla is still quite compact, it towers over the original two-door model; Toyota shared images of the models parked closely together to illustrate just how much has changed since the nameplate first launched.
2027 Toyota Corolla 60th Anniversary Special Edition
Toyota
It rides on 18-inch machined, black-finished alloy wheels that work well with the red paint. New 60th Anniversary badging replaces the standard SE badging, and there are sports seats with black/red inserts. The package includes 60th Anniversary door sills and floor mats, along with the larger 10.5-inch version of Toyota’s touchscreen interface; lesser models use an eight-inch touchscreen.
The Corolla 60th Anniversary Edition will only arrive early in 2027, with pricing to be shared closer to that time.
What Else Is New For The Corolla?
Toyota
In short, not much at all. The only addition for the 2027 Toyota Corolla sedan lineup is a new, dark exterior shade called Inked. Corolla sales are up by almost 10% in 2026 so far, so it seems the automaker hasn’t been motivated to make any drastic changes.
More important to the average Corolla buyer than the latest tech is pricing. The 2027 model starts at $23,325, just $200 more than the 2026 version. It remains one of America’s cheapest new cars and still undercuts its main rival, the Honda Civic, which begins at $24,695 for 2026. The Corolla Hybrid’s base price is $25,175 and the most expensive model is the Hybrid SE with AWD, which costs $29,015.
As before, the 2027 Corolla comes with a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as standard. Hybrid variants use an electrified 1.8-liter powertrain producing 138 hp, and these models are capable of 50 mpg combined with FWD.
Related: Toyota Corolla Hatchback Gets More Tech And Stays Under $25K
Why It Matters
Toyota
Toyota has sold over 130,000 Corollas in the U.S. in 2026 so far. Despite its age—the current Corolla was unveiled over eight years ago in New York—it still delivers on the same promise the original did. It’s reliable, practical, efficient, and completely unpretentious. As buyers grapple with high gas prices in 2026 and new-car affordability, the Corolla’s importance in the market shows no signs of waning, even six decades later. It’s an automotive success story that’s nowhere close to seeing its final chapter.
Related: Toyota Corolla Vs. Honda Civic 2026 Sales: The Gap Is Shrinking Fast
