Toyota's answers to the Subaru Outback and Skoda Octavia RS? Next-gen 2026 Toyota Corolla could see new off-road and performance-oriented wagon versions to plug niches

Previous reports on the next-generation Toyota Corolla suggested a shrink in body style choices, but the latest news from Japan is just the opposite

Completely unconfirmed but with some background from inside Japanese carmaking giant Toyota, Japanese outlet BestCar believes there will be an astounding number of versions of the 2026 Toyota Corolla and it might be Toyota that saves the interesting wagon after all. 

Not only the hatch and sedan, a wagon version is expected and the latest news points to the revival of a lifted Subaru Outback-like wagon — the ‘Carib’ — and a Caldina GT-Four revival. 

Because neither of those badges have ever come to Australia, a bit of explaining is in order. In the late 1990s and early ’00s, Toyota offered a Carib version of the Corolla that, like Subaru’s Impreza Gravel Cross that morphed into today’s Crosstrek. 

A new version imagined by BestCar can be seen in yellow. 

The Caldina was based on a Corolla but was a performance-focused MPV, quite a strange vehicle, but it used the running gear from the Toyota Celica GT-Four sports car, including its turbo-petrol four-cylinder and clever all-wheel drive system. It is the white BestCar render.

Why does BestCar suspect these revived names? Apparently, a cryptic email from a Toyota insider came back: “Carib = Caldina = Corolla”, that was all. 

For driving enthusiasts, the rebirthed Caldina GT-Four is most exciting. BestCar speculates the new model could use the GR Corolla’s 221kW 1.6-litre three-cylinder and torque splitting AWD system. 

The engine is getting plenty of runs on the board already, also featuring in the GR Yaris and new Lexus LBX Morizo RR. It is also expected to feature in the next GR86 sports car. 

The Caldina GT-Four is likely to take a closer shape to the Corolla wagon this time around, rather than the original that was a peculiar people mover. A rival to the Skoda Octavia RS, the only other true performance wagon for under $100K. 

As for the Carib, the much-loved Subaru Outback is soon to take on a more SUV-like form factor. That could leave the door open for Toyota to swoop in with a lifted wagon, but that’s a big stretch in Australia. 

Like the regular 2026 Corolla range, the new Carib is expected to use Toyota’s new down-sized Euro 7-compliant petrol-electric hybrid engines. In the Corolla’s case, a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre that will cut fuel use by 12 per cent is mooted.  

A plug-in hybrid version with over 1000km driving range thanks to a BYD-supplied Blade battery is on the cards, too. 

Inside, expect a larger touchscreen, revisions to the cabin layout, higher quality digital instrument display and improved connected services. 

The new Corolla is expected to launch in 2026, around a similar time to Toyota’s new RAV4 and after the HiLux, with the small car battling the Mazda3, recently-updated Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 and Kia's new Cerato-replacing K4. 

Whether additional variants like the wagon, Carib and Caldina GT-Four will come to Australia, it seems unlikely. They are not confirmed for production in general. 

That said, Toyota is on a roll reviving names from its back catalogue right now, including a new LFA, Celica sports car, Starlet minicar, MR2 sports car and mini Landcruiser FJ. There are also plans for new-generation GR86 and Supra sports cars in the works, so it is possible.

Let us know in the comments below if you would be interested in one of Toyota’s new takes on the Corolla wagon.