Toyota Turns on the Manual Corolla in Japan, Comes with 5 Pedals

JAKARTA - Toyota presents a surprise in the Japanese market after previously directing the Corolla line to be fully hybrid. For the 2026 model year, the Japanese manufacturer actually brought back a naturally aspirated engine with a manual transmission, something that had disappeared from the regular Corolla lineup in the country.

However, this latest manual Corolla is not intended for general consumers. The car was developed specifically as a driving school vehicle to train a new generation of drivers in operating clutches and manual transmissions.

Launching from Carscoops, Thursday, May 14, his presence replaces the Corolla Axio-based training car which was officially discontinued by Toyota in October 2025. The gasoline variant uses a 1.5-liter Dynamic Force three-cylinder engine that had previously been injected dead.

The engine is capable of producing 118 hp or the equivalent of 88 kW with 145 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, making it the only non-GR Corolla with a manual transmission still on sale new in Japan.

Toyota also provides a 1.8-liter hybrid option for driving schools that want to focus on electrified vehicles. The hybrid system produces a combined power of 138 hp or about 103 kW with a torque of 142 Nm and is exclusively combined with an e-CVT transmission driving the front wheels.

In terms of appearance, the Corolla Driving School carries a simple design with 15-inch steel wheels complete with dop and standard LED headlights from the entry-level X trim. The main difference is the special Toyota emblem, additional mirrors for instructors to minimize blind spots, and a special holder for the training vehicle number plate.

Toyota showed this model in white, silver, and black colors. Entering the cabin, the main focus is directed at the needs of driving training.

This car is equipped with an additional pedal set on the instructor's side, both for manual and automatic versions, so that the instructor can take control when the student has difficulty. In addition, there is an additional mirror to increase visibility during the training session.

Toyota also changed the dashboard layout by eliminating the conventional infotainment system. Instead, there is a special panel containing a small digital speedometer, an additional horn button, a GPS holder, to the turn signal and braking indicators.

The interior itself is made simple without premium touches, using standard plastic materials and fabric seats. In Japan, this model is the cheapest Corolla currently marketed. The manual gasoline version is priced starting at Rp. 237 million.

Meanwhile, the hybrid model is sold for 15,200 US dollars or around Rp. 265 million, this price is still more expensive than the standard Corolla hybrid. Although it looks cheap for US consumers, this price is actually higher than the old generation Corolla Axio.