The Toyota Corolla Turns 60: How to Refresh Australia's Favourite Small Car
CarMoods TeamThe Toyota Corolla has turned 60, and Australia has a genuine claim on the celebration. As CarsGuide reported on 20 July 2026, this country was the very first export market for the model — 15 examples of the first-generation E10 landed here in November 1966, just a month after the car was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Australia went further than importing it. The E10 was assembled in Port Melbourne, the first Corolla manufacturing site outside Japan, and Toyota Australia went on to build more than 666,000 Corollas across its Port Melbourne, Dandenong and Altona plants. Local sales passed a million in September 2007.
Six decades and twelve generations later it is still here. Last year 18,968 new Corollas found homes in Australia, and it remains the country's best-selling small car by a comfortable margin — with a thirteenth generation expected before the end of the year. Which raises a nice question for anyone driving one now: how do you make a car this sensible feel like yours?
Jump to: Why 60 years matters · The two things you touch most · Comfort upgrades · Exterior details · FAQ
Why 60 years matters to the person in the driver's seat
The Corolla's reputation was built on being affordable, versatile and economical. That is exactly why so many of them stay on the road for a decade or more.
And a car you keep for ten years is a car worth personalising. The Corolla was never designed to shout — the payoff is that small, well-chosen upgrades read as considered rather than loud. A few thoughtful pieces from our Toyota accessories range change the feel of the cabin without touching a single factory fitting.
Start with the two things you touch most
Every drive begins with a key and continues with a steering wheel. Those two surfaces do more for how a car feels than anything else you could spend the same money on.
On a Corolla with a few years and a few Australian summers behind it, the factory wheel often shows shine on the rim where hands sit. A cover restores grip and hides the wear in one go. Our steering wheel covers range covers most Corolla generations.
Editor's Choice
Toyota Carbon Fiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover
Carbon-fibre texture at the three and nine positions with leather elsewhere — grippy in summer heat, warmer than bare plastic on cold mornings.
Shop nowKeys take even more punishment. A Corolla key spends its life in pockets, handbags and cup holders, and the plastic scuffs long before the electronics fail.
Bestseller
Toyota Key Cover - Zinc Alloy Case
Zinc alloy shell that takes the drops and scratches your key fob would otherwise wear itself, with a keyring or keychain option.
Shop nowPro tip
Fit a steering wheel cover on a warm day, or leave it in the sun for ten minutes first. The material stretches far more willingly and you will not fight the last section over the rim.
Comfort is where Corolla owners feel the difference
The Corolla is a small car that regularly does big distances — commutes, coast runs, the drive to see family. Seat comfort is the upgrade you notice on every one of those trips.
A headrest cushion fills the gap between your neck and the seat, which is where most long-drive stiffness starts. Pair it with a seat belt pad and the strap stops digging into your shoulder. Both live in our neck pillow and lumbar support range.
Staff Pick
TRD Suede Car Neck Pillow for Toyota Corolla, Yaris, Camry, Prius & More
Suede finish with a subtle TRD badge — a nod to the Corolla's motorsport history without turning the cabin into a body kit.
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Recommended
Toyota Neck Pillow and Seat Belt Pad
A matched set for both front seats, so the driver and passenger get the same support on longer runs.
Shop nowExterior details, done with restraint
The Corolla has never been a flashy car, and the best exterior upgrades respect that. Think tidy, factory-adjacent detail rather than anything bolted on.
Wheel centre caps are the classic example. They are the cheapest way to smarten up wheels that have collected a decade of brake dust and kerb rash, and nobody who is not looking for them will notice you changed anything.
Recommended
Toyota Wheel Center Hub Caps 57/62mm
A four-piece set that replaces faded or cracked centre caps — measure your existing cap before ordering to get the size right.
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Staff Pick
Toyota 4D LED Car Grille & Trunk Logo Light
A plug-and-play illuminated badge in several sizes — measure your existing emblem first, and check your state's rules on additional lighting.
Shop nowMore ideas for both ends of the car sit in our interior accessories and exterior accessories ranges.
Our top picks
- 🥇 Toyota Carbon Fiber Leather Steering Wheel Cover Editor's Choice Shop →
- 🥈 TRD Suede Car Neck Pillow Staff Pick Shop →
- 🥉 Toyota Key Cover - Zinc Alloy Case Bestseller Shop →
If you are waiting for the thirteenth generation
Toyota has all but confirmed the next Corolla will offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric options, with a local launch tipped for later this year. That is a long wait if your current car is starting to feel tired.
The good news is that almost everything above moves across. Neck pillows, seat belt pads, key covers and umbrellas are not tied to a body shape — they will follow you into the new car. Only the wheel cover and centre caps are fit-specific, and those are the least expensive pieces of the lot.
Sixty years is a long time for any nameplate to stay relevant. Whether yours is an E120 doing school runs or a current hybrid hatch, the cabin is where you spend the time — so it is worth making it feel right. Browse the full Toyota accessories collection to see what fits your car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Toyota-branded accessories fit any Corolla generation?
Comfort items like neck pillows and seat belt pads fit essentially any Corolla, because they attach to the headrest or belt rather than the body. Steering wheel covers, key covers and wheel centre caps are size-specific, so check the listed fitment and measure your existing part before ordering.
How do I measure my steering wheel for a cover?
Measure the outer diameter of the wheel across its widest point, then measure the thickness of the rim itself. Most Corolla wheels sit in the standard 37-38cm range, but a quick measure removes the guesswork.
Is an illuminated badge legal in Australia?
Rules on additional vehicle lighting vary by state and territory, and generally restrict colour and placement. Check your state's road authority guidance before fitting any illuminated exterior badge, particularly at the front of the car.
Should I wait for the new Corolla before buying accessories?
Most comfort and everyday-use items transfer between cars without any issue, so there is little reason to wait. If you are close to changing cars, it is worth holding off only on the fit-specific pieces like wheel covers and centre caps.
