Overview If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a rally car-for-the-road but need the comfort and practicality of a daily driver, the Toyota GR Corolla is a brilliant compromise. Paired with a motorsport-derived all-wheel-drive system, the GR Corolla’s turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder is a firecracker of an engine that churns out 300 horsepower in a frenzy. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, but a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddles is also available.Despite its racy attitude, the GR is still a Corolla hatchback underneath. That means that its interior is comfortable, contemporary, and simply appointed, and its rear hatch lifts to expose a healthy amount of cargo space. With both fun and practicality quotients maxed out, the GR Corolla executes the hot-hatch vision expertly.
Expert Tip: The GR Corolla’s primary competitors include the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R. Those models are more expensive, but both the Civic and Golf beat the GR Corolla in a three-car comparison test that we conducted in 2023. What’s New for 2026?Last year, the GR Corolla received a handful of notable updates, including a revised engine tune, suspension improvements, and the addition of an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. With those updates still fresh, we don’t expect anything new for 2026. Pricing and Which One to BuyThe new-for-2025 Premium Plus has some neat features, including a lightweight carbon fiber roof, a power bulge hood, and a head-up display, but we feel the base Core trim best fulfils the GR Corolla’s mission.Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Engine: 300-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-3 cylinder
- Transmission: 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: standard all-wheel drive
Under the hood of the GR Corolla is a turbocharged three-cylinder engine plucked from Toyota’s GR Yaris—a tiny hatchback that the Japanese automaker sells in global markets outside of the United States. For the GR Corolla, it has been tuned to make 300 horsepower. Buyers have the option of either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, and all models come with an adjustable all-wheel-drive system. The GR-Four system allows the driver to choose among different power-distribution modes, starting with a 60/40 front-to-rear power split for everyday driving to up to 30/70 to allow for drifting antics; a 50/50 split option is intended to provide maximum traction for track driving. Cornering grip is tenacious, and on a twisty road, the GR Corolla rewards its driver with a memorable blend of sure-footedness and civility. While pedal placement makes heel-toe downshifts difficult, the six-speed manual is otherwise easy to row; a rev-match feature is standard to smooth those downshifts. We drove the automatic version and found that it offers quick shifts and a responsive feel, plus a more relaxed demeanor when cruising on the highway.0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Test: 4.9 seconds (six-speed manual)
In Comparison: In a sprint to 60 mph, the GR Corolla is only a fraction of a second slower than the more powerful Volkswagen Golf R, which managed a 4.6-second run in our testing. Additional ResearchFuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test:28 mpg
- EPA City Ratings: 19-21 mpg
- EPA Highway Ratings: 27-28 mpg
The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy estimates for the 2026 GR Corolla yet, but last year’s model proved to be most efficient when fitted with the six-speed manual; it earned ratings of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Equipped with the 8-speed automatic, those numbers fell to 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Without any significant changes for 2026, we expect the newest GR Corolla to achieve similar results. Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: The GR Corolla shares most of its cabin with the standard Corolla hatchback, which means good build quality, a smattering of soft-touch materials, and plenty of features. The interior is upgraded with racier trim and sport seats. Standard equipment includes ambient interior lighting, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, push-button start, and aluminum pedal covers.Second Row: Like the standard Corolla hatchback, space in the GR Corolla’s second row is passable but not roomy. The Volkswagen Golf R provides significantly more head and legroom for rear seat passengers. Cargo Capacity: In our testing, we were able to fit three carry-on suitcases under the GR Corolla’s rear hatch with the rear seats in their upright position. With the second row folded flat, we managed to squeeze 15 carry-on bags into the cargo hold. Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 8.0-inch infotainment display
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Audio System: 6-speaker Toyota audio system (standard), 8-speaker JBL Premium Audio system (optional)
An 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard and also includes Amazon Alexa capability and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium trim includes an eight-speaker JBL stereo system and wireless smartphone charging. The top-tier Premium Plus trim adds a subwoofer.Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesToyota currently offers much of its driver-assistance technology as standard on most of its lineup, and the GR Corolla is no different. A host of desirable tech features are bundled together across the lineup and include adaptive cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic high-beam headlamps.
- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control
For information about the GR Corolla’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageLike other Toyotas, the GR Corolla comes with a standard warranty package enhanced by a two-year complimentary scheduled maintenance plan. All GR Corollas come with a one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, a sanctioning body that conducts sports car races across the U.S. The membership includes access to a complimentary high-performance driving class. If you buy a GR Corolla, take the class; you’ll love it.
- Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 25,000 miles
C/D Test Results and Specs We test hundreds of vehicles each year. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that’s because the current model hasn’t changed from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base: Core, $39,995; Premium, $42,575; Premium Plus, $46,650
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled inline-3, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 99 in3, 1618 cm3
Power: 300 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS
6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Length: 173.6 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 57.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 50/35 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 35/18 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 3250–3300 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.6–4.8 sec
100 mph: 11.5–11.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.1–13.2 sec
Top Speed: 143 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22–24/19–21/27–28 mpgMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
