Developed under the lead of chief engineer Yasushi Ueda,[12] it is the first Corolla to be built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (GA-C) platform shared with the fourth-generation Prius and C-HR.

[13] With the GA-C platform, the base of the front windscreen was lowered by 40 mm (1.6 in), the overall height of the dashboard was reduced for styling reasons and improving visibility.

[21] The saloon model was unveiled simultaneously between 15 and 16 November 2018 in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States, and in China at the 2018 Guangzhou International Motor Show.

[22][23][24][25][26][27] The "Prestige" model is sold in China, Taiwan, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

This uses a different front fascia, which is more similar to the XV70 series Camry, conceived based on a research that customers in these markets prefer a more "prestigious" look for the saloon.

While there are several engine choices for the Hatchback and Touring Sports, the sole powertrain for the European Corolla saloon is the 1.8-litre hybrid paired with CVT.

This version is sold in North America, Japan, Australia, South Africa, China (as the Levin (Chinese: 雷凌; pinyin: Léilíng)) and other countries.

All components and other elements of the Corolla Touring Sports behind the B-pillar were completely developed in Europe as it is the primary market for the model.

Toyota introduced the Corolla Trek version of estate car at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, with a raised suspension, a roof rack and additional body protection.

The angle of the door mirrors was readjusted to fold closer to the body in order to fit in a narrow garage or parking space.

[49] Excluding the Corolla Rumion, the E210 series of the Corolla is the first to be sold in the Japanese market in which the exterior width (1,745 mm (68.7 in) for the saloon and estate car, and 1,790 mm (70.5 in) for the hatchback) exceeds Japanese government regulations concerning small size passenger vehicles (class three) exterior dimensions and engine displacement.

The benefit of this system is that traditional CVTs tend to have low efficiency in lower gear ratios (creating a moment of sluggishness when starting from a stop).

L, LE and XLE grades are equipped with the 1.8 litre 2ZR-FAE inline-four engine paired with the older K313 CVT, all carried over from the prior generation E170 Corolla in North America.

The twelfth generation Corolla saloon came to the Mexican market on 7 May 2019 in Base (replacing L), LE, SE and Hybrid versions.

[58] All Corolla trim levels feature power windows and door locks, LED front headlamps and LED rear lamps, the Toyota STAR Safety System, a 4.2-inch multi-information display in the gauge cluster, and the Entune 3.0 touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration (Android Auto was added for the 2021 model year).

[59] All US and Canadian market Corollas are also equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 collision avoidance and driver assistance system.

[60] Upscale trim levels (XLE and XSE, not available in Mexico) add features like steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for CVT transmission-equipped models, alloy wheels, SofTex (artificial leather) seats, and an upgraded 7-inch multi-information instrument cluster display.

[61] Based on the SE or XSE saloon models, the Apex comes with stiffer and lowered springs, adjusted dampers, a bigger anti-roll bar, and 18-inch black alloy wheels.

[66] In 2021, Toyota launched the GR-S version in the Brazilian market, with the same design as the Taiwanese Corolla Altis GR Sport, powered by the 2.0-litre M20A-FKB engine.

[78][79] The production version of the European market Corolla hybrid in hatchback and estate (Touring Sports) variants were later revealed at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.

While the 5-door Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports are sold across Europe, the 4-door saloon is only offered in selected European countries (the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, Cyprus, and all across the Balkans and Caucasus).

[5] In February 2023, the Suzuki Swace received power and technology upgrades following the recent facelift of its twin, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.

The Hybrid trim gained a wireless charger and updated Toyota Safety Sense, which consisting all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and adds Lane Tracing Assist.

Although marketed as "Corolla" only, it retained the "Altis" badge like the rest of other Southeast Asian countries as it is a CBU model imported from Thailand.

[101] Under the bonnet, the LE model received the same powertrain as the SE and XSE trims: the 2.0-litre M20A-FKS Dynamic Force inline four-cylinder engine and the K120 Direct Shift continuously variable transmission with a physical first gear.

[102] For the facelift in the European market, Toyota offers an update exterior styling for the Corolla, but discontinued all non-hybrid powertrains.

[103] European market Corollas are equipped with an updated Toyota Audio Multimedia system, but utilising a 10.5-inch touchscreen, larger than the previous 8-inch screen.

[104] For the Japanese market, the facelifted Corolla was launched on 3 October 2022, retaining the saloon, Sport (hatchback) and Touring (estate) configurations.

Powered by the same 1.8 litre Hybrid engine as the regular Corolla, the Active Sport is offered with either front wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (E-Four).

It also received more aggressive style front bumper, black trunk spoiler, smoked rear lights, and dark gunmetal 18-inch alloy wheels.