From dull to desirable, this is how cars like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic became cool again
Published on Jan 03, 2026 at 8:08 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Dec 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
There are a select number of cars that have gone from dull to desirable over the years, with cars like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic being prime examples.
They are cars that, for years, had been seen as reliable, but a bit boring, and with nothing really to get excited about.
However, things have been changing, and there is a wide array of cars that we might never have looked twice at that are beginning to look quite desirable.
It might come as a surprise to hear why these cars had a sudden resurgence.
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What makes the Toyota Corolla cool again
On paper, there isn’t a lot to get excited about when it comes to the Corolla.
While a good car, it’s never been seen as exciting, and it simply offered good, reliable service to owners.
But the current model, the 12th generation, has more of an edge to it than previous versions.
Making it even better was the introduction of the Toyota GR Corolla to the GR range.
Inspired by its World Rally success, the GR Corolla has a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-three engine.
This chucks out 300hp and 295lb-ft of torque.
That is a lot of torque for a Corolla, but it turned into an amazing hot hatchback.
A similar story is true when it comes to the Honda Civic.
Why the Honda Civic had a public image glow-up
Much of what makes the Honda Civic so cool again is the current styling.
The Honda has become genuinely attractive after years of looking either too dull or a bit too outlandish.
Honda’s previous Civic generation went too far, particularly with the wild Type R design.
Now, though, it’s more refined, a bit more subtle, and yet it still has an aggressive edge to its look.
Nowhere is this more true than with the current Type R.
Starting at $45,895, the latest Type R has a mighty 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine under the hood.
It’s fast, it’s powerful, and yet it is still refined and usable as a daily driver.
Plus, the Civic now looks every bit as good as a modern sports car.
It should be no surprise then that both the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla have gone from dull to desirable.
Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
