GR Corolla gets improved rigidity and engine performance for 2026

The Toyota GR Corolla you know and love, now with more added rigidity and improved performance.

The 2026 GR Corolla–now available in two trim levels, GR Corolla and GR Corolla Premium Plus–receives over 45 feet of “additional structural adhesive” in the front and rear of the body, a change that Toyota says offers improved suspension movement and rear grip.

 

[The giant-slayer from Toyota: GR Corolla track test and review]

Also new for the 2026 model is a secondary air intake duct designed to optimize air intake temperatures more effectively, which, in turn, should help the engine produce its maximum output for longer when pushed hard.

While the “base” 2026 GR Corolla comes standard with front and rear limited-slip differentials, suede-trimmed seats and cast alloy wheels (as well as “standout design features” like a hood bulge with functional air vents and color-keyed spoiler), the Premium Plus gets the carbon fiber roof, heads-up display and a nine-speaker JBL sound system with a subwoofer in the trunk.

Toyota also notes that models equipped with the JBL sound system also get what it calls Active Sound Control:

Vehicles equipped with the JBL Premium Sound System now include Active Sound Control (ASC), which emits sporty sounds through the speakers that correspond to changes in acceleration, deceleration, and driving force based on accelerator and shift lever operation. This provides the driver more audio cues to help sense the vehicle’s state.

Like previous iterations of the GR Corolla, the 2026 model is still available with your choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Likewise, power output from the 1.6-liter, turbocharged inline-three G16E-GTS engine remains at 300 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.

For the car's all-wheel-drive system, the driver can select one of three drive modes to tailor the front/rear wheel torque distribution for different situations: Normal, Gravel or Track. 

Normal features a fixed 60:40 and Gravel a fixed 50:50, while Track mode is capable of continuously varying torque distribution from 60:40 to 30:70 based on "the driver’s input and vehicle status."

[Video: Can you daily drive a Toyota GR Corolla?]

Launch control, radar-assisted cruise control and lane-keep assist are unique to models equipped with the eight-speed auto, however.

Starting price for the 2026 GR Corolla? (Drum roll, please.) $39,920 for the six-speed base model–an increase of a little over $1000 over the outgoing 2025 six-speed, base “Core” model–while opting for the automatic adds $2000 for both trim levels. (And, if you buy your 2026 GR Corolla new, and Toyota will still throw in a complimentary–though nontransferable–one-year NASA membership.)

The complete pricing structure for the 2026 GR Corolla is as follows:

• GR Corolla Base MT: $39,920
• GR Corolla Base AT: $41,920
• GR Corolla Premium Plus MT: $45,965
• GR Corolla Premium Plus AT: $47,965

Expect the 2026 GR Corolla to begin appearing on dealer lots sometime this fall. 

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