With more than 40 million units sold since its introduction in 1966, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling nameplate in the world since 1997, when it surpassed the Volkswagen Beetle,->ke318 and arguably the most iconic compact car in production. Its popularity is matched only by the mighty Ford F-Series->ke1913 in the U.S., which speaks volumes of the Corolla'->ke1039s impact on the automotive industry in the last five decades. In 2013, the Corolla was redesigned for the eleventh-generation, a model that saw the nameplate once again sell more than 300,000 examples a year in the U.S. since 2008. Followed by a series of special-edition->ke2041 versions and even a TRD-made concept, the Corolla is celebrating its 50th anniversary with yet another limited-edition variant.

Dubbed 50th Anniversary Special Edition, this U.S.-exclusive sedan->ke142 is based on the sporty Corolla SE and features a number of bespoke details designed to celebrate the massive popularity the car enjoys around the world. Both the exterior and interior have been tweaked, gaining features you can normally order with the SE trim as well as 50th Anniversary badges. Only 8,000 will be built, making it one of the rarest Corollas ever sold in the United States.

Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition.

2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 132
  • Torque: 128
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Edition special

Being based on the Corolla SE (Special Edition), the 50th Anniversary is a well-equipped vehicle even before the special add-ons that come with the limited edition. Standard exterior features include LED low-beam headlamps with halogen high beams, LED daytime running lights, integrated fog lamps, front grille surround with Piano Black insert, body-colored and heated side mirrors, body-colored door handles, rear trunk lid spoiler, Gloss Black 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome-tipped exhaust, and variable intermittent windshield wipers. On top of that, the 50th Anniversary package adds Complex-LED headlamps, a "50th Anniversary" badge, and machine-finished wheel with Dark Gray inserts instead of the standard Gloss Black rollers. A moonroof is available, while paint options are limited to three exclusive finishes: Black Cherry, Classic Silver, and Blizzard Pearl.

Inside, the compact comes equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen, Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster, and black seats, steering wheel, shift boot and center armrest with Black Chery contrast stitching. The dashboard and the door trim also feature Black Cherry accents, while the floor mats get 50th Anniversary Edition logos. Toyota also offers a Smart Key system with push button start. In addition to these features, the 50th Anniversary also benefits from the SE's standard equipment, including automatic climate control with dust and pollen filter, integrated backup camera with projected path, six-way adjustable driver's seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat, 60/40 split fold-down seat bench, sport instrument cluster, power door locks, power windows, and day/night rearwiew mirror.

Under the hood, the 50th Anniversary comes with the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine offered in the Corolla SE. The four-pot cranks out 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque and mates to a CVTi-S transmission. The independent MacPherson front suspension, torsion beam rear suspension, electric power steering, and 10.8-inch front disc brakes and nine-inch rear drum brakes remain unchanged.

Pricing is not yet available, but the 50th Anniversary edition should cost more than the SE it is based on. The latter retails from $20,635, a $3,300 premium over the entry-level Corolla L model.

Toyota Corolla

Launched for the 2014 model year in the United States, the eleventh-generation Corolla received a new, sportier design and a body that's four inches longer and a half-inch wider compared to its predecessor. The redesigned interior ditched the previous hard plastic in favor of softer surfaces, a more modern layout, a multi-function steering wheel, and Toyota's latest technology. Two engines were offered Stateside, both in 1.8-liter four-cylinder configuration. One generates 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet, while the other sends 140 horses and 126 pound-feet to the wheels. The former mates to either a six-speed manual, four-speed automatic or CVTi-S, while the latter gets only the manual and the CVT. The base model returns 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, figures that improve to 27 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway in the Eco model.

Read our full review on the Toyota Corolla here.