2026 GR Corolla Specs, Price, and Release Date: Full Breakdown

2026 GR Corolla Specs, Price, and Release Date: Full Breakdown

The 2026 Toyota GR Corolla has arrived and at first glance, it looks just like last year’s model. No major redesign. No radical power bump. But don’t mistake continuity for complacency. Toyota hasn’t rested. Instead, it’s fine-tuned one of the most exciting hot hatches on the market with under-the-skin upgrades aimed at sharpening its already impressive dynamics.

While the exterior and interior remain visually unchanged, Toyota has made meaningful mechanical improvements:

• Added 45.6 feet of structural adhesive to front and rear body sections
• Enhanced rear suspension tuning for better grip and compliance over bumps

The result? A stiffer, more rigid chassis that delivers more direct steering response and improved cornering precision. Toyota claims these tweaks make the GR Corolla feel even more planted during aggressive driving good news for canyon-carvers and track-day enthusiasts.

To help the turbocharged engine breathe easier under sustained load, Toyota added an additional air intake duct designed to lower intake temperatures and improve thermal efficiency.

This allows the 1.6-liter G16E-GTS three-cylinder engine to maintain peak performance longer, especially during spirited runs or back-to-back hot laps.

Output remains unchanged:

• 300 horsepower
• 295 lb-ft of torque
• Power sent to all four wheels via:
• 6-speed manual transmission (standard)
• 8-speed automatic (optional)

It’s still one of the most potent compact performance cars on sale and now, it’s even better at staying cool under pressure.

2026 GR Corolla Specs, Price, and Release Date: Full Breakdown

For 2026, Toyota is streamlining the GR Corolla lineup to just two trims:

1. GR Corolla (base)
2. GR Corolla Premium Plus

The top-tier Premium Plus adds:

• Nine-speaker JBL premium audio system
• Trunk-mounted subwoofer
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat

But it also introduces something controversial: Active Sound Control (ASC) Toyota’s official term for artificial engine noise pumped through the speakers.

According to Toyota, ASC “provides the driver with more audio cues to sense the vehicle’s state.” In reality, it means synthetic growls and turbo whooshes are amplified inside the cabin despite the fact that the G16E-GTS engine (shared with the GR Yaris and Lexus LBX) already delivers a raw, high-revving soundtrack that many fans love.

Worse? It’s unclear whether the feature can be disabled. Let’s hope Toyota gives drivers the choice to enjoy the real thing.

Pricing for the 2026 model year includes destination:

• GR Corolla (manual): $41,115
• GR Corolla Premium Plus (automatic): $49,160

That puts the top model dangerously close to six-figure supercars in price though not quite there yet.

Still, as standard equipment and demand rise, so does cost.

2026 GR Corolla Specs, Price, and Release Date: Full Breakdown

While Toyota keeps quiet about the ultimate version, leaked images from a recent dealer event have spilled the beans on the GRMN Corolla the range-topping, limited-edition beast we’ve been waiting for.

Photos (since pulled down) revealed:

• Vented carbon-fiber hood
• Striking bronze-colored BBS forged wheels
• Carbon fiber rear spoiler
• Two-seat interior rear bench deleted for weight savings
• A plaque near the shifter hinting at only 500 units built

It’s a dead ringer for the Morizo Edition, but likely even more extreme.

Pricing hasn’t been announced but expect it to start around $58,000–$60,000, especially if past markups are any indication. The 2023 Morizo Edition launched at $52,640 and sold out instantly.

With the Los Angeles Auto Show coming up in November, Toyota may be saving the GRMN debut for the spotlight where it belongs. 

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