Toyota’s Charming New Hatchback Looks Even Better After You Compare Its Price to a Honda

The FX Edition is a looker, but it’s the price point that makes the package a winner against the Civic Hatchback.

Front side view of an orange Toyota car showing the front wheel with white alloy rims, the headlight, side mirror, and part of the front grille. The background includes green trees and a clear sky.

Published September 2, 2025

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Updated September 2, 2025

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While there still may be a few months remaining in the year, automakers across the industry already have their eyes cast ahead to 2026.

For instance, as part of a recent string of model refreshes, Toyota has just confirmed the pricing and updates for its forthcoming Corolla Hatchback.

White Toyota hatchback with a sleek, modern design, featuring a large black front grille, sharp LED headlights, and white alloy wheels, parked indoors against a dark background with a red light accent. — The Corolla FX Edition looks sharp, especially when its gloss white wheels are paired with matching body paint.

While there’s no denying that the Corolla FX Edition makes for an attractive option from a visual standpoint, the model just got a whole lot more enticing because of its price point — especially when compared to the Honda Civic.

Referencing an ’80s icon

Toyota is giving the entire Corolla Hatchback lineup added tech and improved safety, as both wireless phone charging and Blind Spot Monitor are now standard features. Previously, they’d been optional extras on all but the top-of-the-line XSE trim.

There’s no denying the ’80s appeal of a gloss white wheel.

Toyota

However, the big news for 2026 is that Toyota is introducing a new FX Edition trim level as an homage to the original FX16 of the 1980s. Granted, it’s a loose reinterpretation, but it nevertheless makes the Corolla Hatchback even cooler.

Along with a slick rear wing and some 18-inch gloss white alloy wheels, the car also features unique heritage-inspired badging, a distinctive orange-stitched interior and some upgraded sport touring seats.

Two black leather and suede car seats with orange stitching are shown inside a vehicle. The seats have a sporty design with integrated headrests and metallic accents. The interior door panel and center console with cup holders and controls are also visible. Outside the window, there is a green grassy area with trees and a white car parked nearby. — Toyota is treating the FX Edition to a special interior with upgraded seats and distinctive orange stitching.

Even though it’s strictly an aesthetic package, the FX Edition does come with a degree of exclusivity — Toyota is building just 1,600 examples for North America. This makes the Corolla Hatchback all the more enticing when priced against Honda’s Civic.

Orange compact hatchback car driving on a city street with tall buildings and trees in the background. The car has a sleek, modern design with black accents on the side mirrors and front grille. — On the move, the Corolla FX Edition certainly looks more powerful than a hatchback with less than 200 ponies.

A potential Civic usurper

That’s because even the most expensive XSE trim level in Toyota’s Corolla hatchback lineup will be cheaper than the entry-level Honda Civic Sport Hatchback, as noted by Autoblog.

For 2026, Toyota is pricing the base SE at $24,180, the XSE at $27,175 and the limited-run FX Edition at $26,780. By contrast, you’ll be paying at least $27,795 for a standard Honda Civic Sport Hatchback, and the more powerful and feature-rich Hybrid will run you $30,495 or more.

White Toyota Corolla hatchback with sporty rear spoiler and white wheels, parked on a street in an urban setting with modern buildings and greenery in the background. — As part of the FX Edition treatment, Toyota is giving the Corolla a unique rear spoiler and some heritage-inspired badging.

That’s not all; beyond its competitive price point, the Corolla Hatchback outguns the Civic Sport Hatchback when it comes to output and interior capabilities as well.

For instance, along with a more powerful 169-pony 2.0-liter inline-four (the Civic makes 150 horses in Sport guise), the Toyota also brings creature comforts like a heated front driver’s seat, Road Sign Assist and a larger 8-inch touchscreen.

Add to that the fact that both the Corolla Sedan and the Corolla Hybrid start considerably cheaper than their Honda-badged rivals, and it’s clear that Toyota is ready to make some moves in 2026.

White Toyota hatchback with black accents and white wheels, parked on a street in front of modern glass buildings and greenery. The car's headlights are on, and it has a sporty, sleek design. — Even with just 1,600 units planned for North America, the Corolla FX Edition comes out to be cheaper than the Honda Civic.

Pricing and availability

If you’re interested in getting your hands on the $26,780 Toyota Corolla FX Edition, you can sign up for updates about the model here.

As previously mentioned, pricing for the 2026 Corolla SE is expected to start at $24,180, while the XSE will run from $27,175. Check out Toyota’s website — where you can also get a read on the Corolla sedan — to learn more.

2026 Toyota Corolla Hatchback FX Edition

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About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.