China gets refreshed versions of the Corolla sedan with improved legroom, upgraded infotainment, and new engine choices ahead of the all-new global model
As the global market waits for the next-generation Corolla that was recently previewed in concept form, China is getting a more immediate update. Before the all-new model lands, local buyers will see refreshed versions of the current sedan.
FAW Toyota’s revised Corolla and GAC Toyota’s Levin L both feature extended wheelbases and updated in-car tech aimed squarely at local preferences.
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Starting with the Corolla from Toyota’s joint venture with FAW, the stretched wheelbase model looks like a Prius sedan, thanks to the redesigned hammerhead-style headlights and cleaner front bumper.
Compared to the regular Corolla, this version adds 50 mm (about 2 inches) between the axles, a change that directly benefits rear legroom, an important metric in the Chinese market. At 2,750 mm (108.3 inches), the updated wheelbase even surpasses that of Europe’s discontinued Avensis, though it still falls short of the Camry’s 2,825 mm (111.2 inches).
The rest of the body remains largely in step with the outgoing model. A new LED strip linking the taillights is the most visible addition, a touch borrowed from the Allion, FAW Toyota’s other long-wheelbase Corolla derivative.
The interior has been overhauled with a more modern dashboard featuring horizontal lines and new trim. The buttons on the center console are gone, replaced by a larger 12.9-inch free-standing infotainment display, joined by an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster.
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The center tunnel has also been reworked, now featuring a streamlined layout and quicker wireless charging. New front seats with integrated headrests and fresh upholstery mark another step forward. Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 driver-assistance system is included as standard across the board.
The Other Corolla
The GAC Toyota Levin L, which serves as the more conventional sibling to FAW’s Corolla, carries over much of the same styling as the previous Levin GT. It’s visibly more in line with the US-spec Corolla sedan, keeping a sportier profile.
Like its counterpart, the Levin L benefits from the extended 2,750 mm wheelbase, although the visual difference compared to the standard model is minimal.
Inside, it closely mirrors the FAW Toyota’s cabin layout, but with different trim selections. GAC Toyota has confirmed that its infotainment setup runs Huawei’s HiCar 5.0 system, powered by the new Qualcomm 8155P chip.
Both the FAW Toyota Corolla and the GAC Toyota Levin L are offered with a mix of gasoline and self-charging hybrid options.
Buyers can choose from a turbocharged 1.2-liter producing 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS), a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter good for 170 hp (127 kW / 173 PS), or a hybrid 1.8-liter system rated at 135 hp (101 kW / 137 PS). All variants come paired with a CVT driving the front wheels.
The facelifted GAC Toyota Levin L and FAW Toyota Corolla sedans are set to launch in China within the next few weeks. Pricing details have yet to be confirmed. It’s unlikely that the styling and tech updates will make their way to Corolla models sold outside the Chinese market.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio
