Here’s all there is to know about the 2023 Toyota Corolla facelift for Europe

The European version of the Toyota Corolla has gone through a mid-generational refresh. The sedan made in Turkey and the hatchback and wagon made in the UK have all received considerable improvements across the board.

The cosmetic part of the update went the usual way, landing the Corolla with slightly retouched bumpers, new colors, wheels and radiator grille. The LED headlights at the front have also changed their contents and patterns, but the housings remained the same – perhaps to keep costs down. You can watch the enclosed video to see the pre-facelift version and compare for yourself.

In many countries of Europe, the Corolla is available exclusively as a hybrid. Its 1.8-liter engine now produces 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) instead of just 122 PS (120 hp / 90 kW), reducing sprint time from 10.9 to 9.2 seconds.

The hatchback and the estate car benefit from an optional 2.0-liter hybrid drivetrain that now makes 196 PS (193 hp / 144 kW) instead of 184 PS (181 hp / 135 kW). It is also faster on the uptake with 7.5 seconds of sprint time instead of 7.9.

Using more powerful electric motors enables the 2023MY Corolla to accelerate faster, while improved IC engines let it stay quiet thanks to lower RPM counts. The lithium-ion battery blocks are also new, smaller and 18 kg (40 pounds) lighter than the old ones were.

In contrast, the gas-powered Corolla predominantly present on the Eastern European market stay the same. You can still choose between a 1.2-liter four-pot turbo rated at 116 PS (114 hp / 85 kW) and a 1.5-liter three-pot non-turbo mated to either a manual transmission or a CVT for 125 PS (123 hp / 92 kW).

Inside, the touchscreen diagonal size has grown from 8 to 10.5 inches. Higher trim buyers can opt for a digital dash available in four styles to choose from.