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Why the Beloved Toyota Corolla is Missing in South Korea
Uniji
2025-06-17 22:29:29

Hello.

I'm Uniji, an automotive influencer.

The Toyota Corolla ranks as one of the most beloved car models worldwide. As Toyota's best-selling sedan, the Corolla sells millions of units each year, maintaining its steady popularity. However, it may come as a surprise that this globally popular model is not available in the South Korean market. What is the reason behind this?

The 2027 model of the new Corolla is set to debut in the U.S. market.

Toyota launched the 12th generation Corolla in 2018 and plans to unveil the 2027 model in 2026. Given the successful sales record of the existing model, expectations for the new Corolla are high. The Corolla consistently performs well in the U.S. market, selling over 232,000 units in 2022 alone, proving its strength in the sedan market.

The Corolla comes in various forms, including sedan, hatchback, and wagon. However, the new model is expected to launch only in sedan and hatchback versions in the U.S. market.

The powertrain will remain the same, featuring both hybrid and conventional engines.

The new Corolla's powertrain is expected to retain the existing 2.0-liter engine along with a hybrid version. Toyota aims to offer a more economical vehicle through its fuel-efficient hybrid model. Some experts also suggest the possibility of adding a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, opening the door to a variety of options.

No drastic design changes are expected.

Toyota is known for not pursuing drastic design changes when transitioning between model generations. With the exception of the Prius, most models maintain a stable design approach across generations. The new Corolla is expected to stay true to its practical and reliable design while incorporating some advanced features to enhance convenience for consumers.

Why is it difficult to find the Corolla in South Korea?

Despite the Corolla's global popularity, it is not available in the South Korean market. This situation arises from a significant decline in demand for compact sedans in South Korea. Recently, South Korean consumers have shown a surge in demand for SUVs and larger vehicles, which has diminished the market share for compact sedans like the Corolla. Additionally, Toyota Korea focuses on popular models such as the Camry and RAV4 in the South Korean market, concluding that introducing the Corolla would not provide a significant commercial advantage. Consequently, the Corolla has become a rare sight in South Korea.

The Corolla in the U.S. and European markets

In contrast, the demand for compact sedans remains steady in the U.S. and European markets. Particularly in the U.S., the Corolla continues to rank among the top-selling vehicles each year, even amidst the SUV craze. Toyota's reliability, affordability, and consistent design improvements greatly contribute to this ongoing popularity.

The new Corolla will maintain the advantages of the existing model while adding some advanced features to enhance its competitiveness. With the potential addition of a plug-in hybrid, it aims to target an even broader consumer base.

In conclusion, the Toyota Corolla, which sells millions of units globally, enjoys consistent popularity in international markets but remains hard to find in South Korea. The rising preference for SUVs and larger vehicles in the South Korean market has led to a decline in interest in compact sedans. However, given the Corolla's sustained global appeal, South Korean consumers may one day have the opportunity to reconnect with this iconic model.

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